Staff Writer // Peter Gegick
Patience. Pennsylvania has it. They’ve been waiting for a while now. But after 11 years, they are only five years away from rekindling an age-old rivalry.
Pittsburgh versus Penn State. The battle for Pennsylvania has finally returned.
Only 136 miles separate the two programs. Even with so short a distance, though, it may as well be two other worlds.
To the west is the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, a team that shares a stadium with the Pittsburgh Steelers miles away from it’s campus. Though the program has had some flashes of brilliance, it’s settled into a spot in the Big East football scene. It’s almost a given that the team will go 8-5, and will corner the market on every player who comes out of the WPIAL, the section that’s known for producing football players.
To the east is the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions, a program that shares it’s intimidating stadium with no one but the Penn State faithful. The program is one of the top members of the Big 10 football chain and despite some recent failure, the team is almost always considered a lock for a Top 3 position. Under the man known simply as “Joe,” the team has won two national titles and become a national icon.
But it’s not that easy.
The two teams declined to schedule the other as an opponent after arguments arose over control of the series. These arguments arose after the Nittany Lions wanted two home games at Penn State for every one at Pitt.
However, after Miami(FL) declined to schedule a series with Penn State, the school contacted the Panthers. The two schools decided on a home and home series for 2016 and 2017, with the Panthers hosting the first game.
Both athletic directors were excited about the rescheduling of the game.
“There have been many memorable Penn State-Pitt games, featuring outstanding players, and we look forward to playing the Panthers again,” said Penn State athletic director Tim Curley to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Pitt’s athletic director, Steve Pederson, echoed his colleague’s statements when discussing the renewal with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“It’s exciting for college football fans–the renewal of one of the most historic and exciting rivalries of all-time returns.”
Even new the new head coach for the Panthers, Todd Graham, is looking forward to the new series.
“I’m really excited,” he told the Post-Gazette. “The opportunity to renew one of the nation’s richest rivalries is exciting to me.”
Joe Paterno declined to comment.
The series stands at 96 games, with Penn State holding a 50-42-4 advantage. The Panthers, however, won the last game in the series, 12-0, in 2000.
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