Pitt opens the season, and the Paul Chryst coaching era, on Sept. 1 against Youngstown State. The Panthers will also host Gardner-Webb on Sept. 22. Pitt’s other non-conference game will be at Buffalo on Oct. 20.
Six home games at Heinz Field, including four contests against teams that advanced to bowls in 2011.
A preview of Atlantic Coast Conference play with the renewal of the Virginia Tech rivalry on Sept. 15. Pitt will host its future ACC foe at Heinz Field for the first time since 2003 when the teams staged a dramatic contest that was won by the Panthers in the final minute, 31-28. The Hokies went 11-3 with an appearance in the Sugar Bowl last season.
Five games already scheduled for national television, including a Thursday night ESPN encounter at Cincinnati on Sept. 6 that will serve as the Big East opener for both teams. The Bearcats went 10-3 last year, including a Liberty Bowl victory over Vanderbilt.
Home games against Louisville (Oct. 13), Temple (Oct. 27) and Rutgers (Nov. 24), which each advanced to the postseason last year. Temple is coming off a nine-win season capped by a 37-15 victory over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl. Rutgers also won nine games last year, including a 27-13 win over Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Two appearances on ESPN’s highly rated Friday night television package. Pitt will play Friday night road contests at Syracuse (Oct. 5 on ESPN) and Connecticut (Nov. 9 on ESPN2).
An NBC nationally televised contest at Notre Dame Nov. 3. The Panthers and Irish will meet for the 68th time in a series that dates back to 1909.
A nationally televised “Championship Saturday” finale in Tampa against USF on Dec. 1. The Panthers routed the previously undefeated Bulls, 44-17, at Heinz Field last September.
2012 Pitt Football Schedule
Sept. 1 Youngstown State 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 (Thurs.) @ Cincinnati* (ESPN) 8 p.m.
Sept. 15 Virginia Tech TBA
Sept. 22 Gardner-Webb TBA
Sept. 29 Open
Oct. 5 (Fri.) @ Syracuse* (ESPN) 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Louisville* TBA
Oct. 20 @ Buffalo TBA
Oct. 27 Temple* TBA
Nov. 3 @ Notre Dame (NBC) 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 (Fri.) @ Connecticut* (ESPN2) 8 p.m.
Nov. 17 Open
Nov. 24 Rutgers* TBA
Dec. 1 @ South Florida* (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2) TBA
