The Penn State Nittany Lions fell in an instant classic Saturday afternoon to the Pittsburgh Panthers 42-39 at Heinz Field. Here's what the Nittany Lions had to cheer about and what they had to jeer about from the game. Cheers Resiliency- Pitt took the ball 99 yards on its opening drive to the end zone and Penn State never could recover. The Panthers went up 28-7 early in the first half, but the Nittany Lions grinded them out and nearly pulled off the improbable comeback. Penn State may ... 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: Linebackers and defensive backs
Linebackers Daniel Greenwald: This particular battle isn’t exactly clear cut. The leading stoppers for both teams compiled similar numbers last season. Penn State’s Jason Cabinda recorded 98, tackles 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. While Pitt counterpart Matt Galambos reached similar totals. If tackles light your fire Cabinda’s your man, Galambos posted 88 to Cabinda’s 98. If disruptive plays that stymie offenses are more your style it’s Galambos. My nod goes to the latter, who accumulated five ... 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
Defense, special teams shine for Penn State in opener
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the defense shined the brightest for the Penn State Nittany Lions as they cruised to a 33-13 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes in their season opener. As a unit, the defense of the Nittany Lions allowed only six points while the offense gave up seven as the result of a Trace McSorley fumble returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions got two touchdowns through the air from McSorley with DaeSean Hamilton hauling in a first-quarter ... Read More