Aug. 26, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State vs. Pitt football four-game series will be entitled the Keystone Classic presented by Peoples Natural Gas. The series kicks off Sept. 10 at Heinz Field, followed by Nittany Lions hosting the Panthers Sept. 9, 2017. The squads are also slated to meet in 2018 and 2019.
"We are appreciative of Peoples Natural Gas supporting the Keystone Classic," Penn State Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour said. "We are looking forward to the next four years and the opportunity that it presents to our fans as we renew this series with a longtime opponent in Pitt. We are excited to see the Blue & White-clad fans turn out at Heinz Field on September 10."
"Peoples is proud to support this event that celebrates two universities that add so much to Pennsylvania," said Morgan O'Brien, CEO of Peoples Natural Gas. "The Keystone Classic will attract tens of thousands of visitors to our area to patronize restaurants, shops and hotels. And, it recognizes the proud traditions of Pitt and Penn State, whose alumni contribute greatly to our region's workforce. So, I gladly welcome back and look forward to this four-game series!"
Penn State Sports Properties and Pitt IMG Sports Marketing teamed up to secure Peoples Gas as the presenting sponsor of the series, which includes various branding, social media, activation and community assets. In addition, both schools are working with their licensing partner CLC on creating a line of merchandise available for fans featuring the Keystone Classic logo.
Penn State Football's first visit to Pittsburgh in 16 years is set to kick at noon Sept. 10 on either ABC or ESPN. The Nittany Lions visit the Panthers in the Steel City for the first time since a 12-0 loss during the 2000 season. The game is the first of a four-game home-and-home series between Penn State and Pitt.
The Nittany Lions have met the Panthers more than any other opponent - 96 times - with Penn State owning a 50-42-4 series advantage. The teams first met in 1893 and played every season from 1900-31 and 1935-92, often in a compelling final game of the regular season. The teams did not meet from 1993-96, when Penn State began play in the Big Ten Conference, and then played a four-game series from 1997-2000, with the Nittany Lions winning the 1997-99 contests on the field.
The Nittany Lions return 40 lettermen and 16 starters from last year's TaxSlayer Bowl squad, led by Freshman All-American running back Saquon Barkley and All-Big Ten honorees Chris Godwin, DaeSean Hamilton, Jason Cabinda, Marcus Allen and Grant Haley.
Penn State opens the 2016 campaign against Kent State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3. Season, Recent Graduate season (35 percent discount on season tickets), partial season and single game tickets for the 2016 campaign are on sale, with more than 5,500 new season tickets having been sold. To purchase tickets or for information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2016 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.