Pitt-Penn State to play each other once again

It's back! Both Pitt and Penn State's football programs have once again agreed to play each other and renew their once great rivalry. The two programs have not played each other since the year 2000. That meeting resulted in a 12-0 victory for Pitt. That game was played at Three Rivers Stadium.

The first meeting will take place Sept. 10, 2016 at Heinz Field. The following year the game will be played Sept. 15, 2017 at Beaver Stadium.
``This is an exciting day for college football fans," Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said in a statement. ``The tremendous history of this rivalry is well documented and the passion that fans have for this game is enormous. We are very pleased that this two-game series is now in place and a new generation of fans can experience the excitement of a Pitt-Penn State football game.'' -Pittsburgh Post Gazette


Penn State athletic director Tim Curley said, ``We are very excited about renewing our rivalry with Pitt. We have worked our schedules to play some of our neighboring rivalries like Syracuse, Rutgers and Temple and are glad to have identified dates that worked for our schedules to play Pitt. The Penn State-Pitt game was one that football fans across the Commonwealth have been passionate about. There have been many memorable Penn State-Pitt games, featuring outstanding players and coaches, and we look forward to playing the Panthers again.''- Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Penn State leads the all-time series 50-42-4.

Throughout the 70's and 80's the games between Pitt-Penn State were usually meaningful in terms of competing for the national championship. If they played today it might mean the difference between 8-4 and 7-5. For this rivlary to get into full gear both of these programs will have to get better and stronger, and fast.

Looking at the upside of this, Heinz Field will have a forsure sellout come Sept. 16, 2016, even if it is mostly Penn State fans. This game will mean much more for Pitt. From the students right down to the
players, Pitt-Penn State will always mean much more for Pitt.

Hopefully both of these teams are at least top 25 teams come 2016. I also hope Joe Paterno is still somehow alive.