There isn't a team in the country quite like the Penn State Nittany Lions — for a multitude of reasons. This year marks the first year since 2013 Penn State has had a full 85 scholarship allotment due to NCAA sanctions as a result of the 2012 child sex abuse scandal. For the past two seasons, the Nittany Lions had a reduced number of scholarships (75 in 2014 and 80 in 2015). Now, for the first time in his tenure at Penn State, third-year head coach James Franklin is on equal footing with ... Read More
Pitt tops PSU in instant classic
Where do I sign up for four more years of this game already? The re-ignition of the Pitt-Penn State rivalry unfolded to a scene that Hollywood screen writers might call too absurd as Pitt defeated Penn State, 42-39. The Panthers roared out to an impressive start, ramming the ball 99 yards down the Nittany Lion’s throat on their opening drive. Pinned at their own 1-yard line by an excellent Penn State punt, no matter, Pitt traveled the distance of the field on the ground with bruising runs by ... Read More
Pitt looks to defend home turf against Penn State
This game could be the first step in rekindling a long-storied rivalry, or it could simply end up being one in a four-game series between two in state schools. Either way, I’m excited as hell for Pitt vs Penn State. The buildup is over; game day is knocking on the door. Before I get to my final prediction, I want to talk about the impact that Pitt vs Penn State carries. Pitt and Penn State pits the two biggest, most prominent college’s from the football crazed state of Pennsylvania against ... Read More
After 16 years, Penn State and Pitt take their rivalry to the gridiron
Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh haven't squared off on the gridiron since 2000. Now, 16 years later, as the two football teams are gearing up to face each other, the rivalry is more intriguing than ever before. Pitt and Penn State are natural rivals — Pennsylvania's version of Alabama vs. Auburn — yet hardly any of the action has taken place on the field. Saturday, that changes as the Nittany Lions head to Heinz Field for the Keystone Classic to take on a Panthers team ... Read More
Pitt vs. Penn State by position: Coaching
Leading up to Saturday's Pitt-PSU game, our beat reporters looked at key position battles: linebackers and defensive backs; linemen; and running backs and receivers. In the final battle, they took a look at the coaching matchup. Daniel Greenwald, Pitt beat reporter: Penn State head coach James Franklin went from being a decent coach at Vanderbilt to being an average coach with the Nittany Lions. Franklin’s first two years at PSU haven’t exactly been barn burners. The Nittany Lions have gone ... Read More
Pitt vs Penn State by position: Linemen
Offensive Line Daniel Greenwald: For this position group battle, let’s try something different, shall we? It’s quite simple, as I’ve compiled two matching head to head stat profiles and written two descriptions, one for Line A and another for Line B. Read them each without bias or team allegiance and the answer is obvious. Line A 2015 Totals: Team Rushing Yard: 1,868 Rushing TDs: 15 Yards/Carry: 4.1 2015 Sacks Allowed: 39 Returning All-Conference: 1) Third Team Right Tackle This ... Read More
Pitt vs. Penn State by position: Running back and pass catchers
Running Back Jarrod Prugar: James Conner was a First Team All-American in 2014. However, since then, Conner has dealt with a torn MCL, which cost him all but a few snaps of 2015 as well as being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma this past off-season. Opposing Conner will be Saquon Barkley who burst on to the scene last season rushing for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. Barkley has the benefit of being able to play last season, as well as being healthy. What is yet to be seen is how Conner ... Read More
Pitt vs. Penn State by position: Quarterback
It's finally here. It's Pitt-Penn State week. For the first time since 2000, the in-state rivals will take to the field in the first of a home-and-home series this year and next year. They'll first meet in Heinz Field on Saturday, in front of a raucous crowd of Panther and Nittany Lion fans. Leading up to the big game, we will be comparing the two teams position by position, starting with the quarterbacks. Quarterback Daniel Greenwald: Pitt returns quarterback Nate Peterman. A ... Read More
Penn State position group preview: Offense
The Penn State Nittany Lions' offense will look completely different for the James Franklin-led squad in 2016. Gone is record-setting quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Gone is offensive coordinator John Donovan. Gone is offensive line coach Herb Hand. Trace McSorley will inherit the Penn State offense left behind by Hackenberg, this after Franklin named McSorley the starter Wednesday. For the first time in the three years Franklin has been the head coach, he'll be able to play a ... Read More
Playoffs on line for Penn State baseball in series vs. Iowa
The Penn State Nittany Lions baseball team began its 2016 campaign in Cuba, but as it ends the regular season, the team will be back home in familiar digs in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a three-game series against Big Ten-foe Iowa. Iowa will be a pivotal match-up for head coach Rob Cooper’s Nittany Lions, which control their postseason destiny. Winning two out of three games all but clinches a trip to the Big Ten tournament and a chance to play their way to Omaha and the College World ... Read More