For the 96th time since 1893, the Panthers of Pittsburgh and the Nittany Lions of Penn State squared off on the gridiron Saturday afternoon. The rivalry was abandoned for 15 years, Pitt took the first game in the recent series revival last year at Heinz Field 42-39 in a classic rivalry type game and atmosphere. This year’s game went how most expected Penn State dominated in route to a 33-14 win at home in Happy Valley. The part of the game garnering the most attention is the post game comments of Penn State head James Franklin. The question I have is, is this even really a real rivalry anymore? Does it still hold the same weight as it used to with fans from both schools? Should it continue to happen?
2017 Game at Happy Valley
The Penn State Nittany Lions, lost two games a season ago. The loss that many experts believe kept them from making the College Football Playoffs came at Heinz Field to the Panthers of Pittsburgh 42-39 in a wild contest. Penn State welcomed the Panthers to Happy Valley with one goal in mind, win the game. Pittsburgh however led in all the important statistical categories, time of possession went to the Panthers 38:20 to Penn States 21:40. The Panthers had more yards and first downs than the rivals in blue and white, but the stat that jumps out is the turnover difference Pitt had three Penn State just one. The Panthers managed to keep one of the top running backs under 100 yards rushing as Saquon Barkley finished with 14 carries, 85 yards and one score. He also found his way into the end zone on a receiving touchdown, to go with his 4 catches for 45 yards. Just another ring added to this 96-year-old rivalry that saw Penn State win 33-14. Many experts say that the Nittany Lions dominated, but the stars tell a different story, what did you think of the game?
The History of the Battle for the Keystone State
The first meeting between the two schools came November 6th, 1893; a game that saw Penn State win convincingly 33-0. Penn State holds the all-time record in the series 51-43-4, but it is the Panthers of Pittsburgh that hold the longest win streak in the series at 14 games from 1922-1938. The rivalry has produced 12 players now in Canton in the football Hall of Fame, for Pittsburgh the notable names are Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett (a Hiseman Trophy winner) and Mike Ditka. On the Penn State side, there are six players also in the Hall of Fame most notably Franco Harris. If that is not enough of a reason to take notice to this rivalry, 24 times the game has pinned two AP Top 10 schools against each other, including a streak of 13 out of 15 years from 1968-1982. Also for those that want to say that this is not Penn States rival and that the title of rival belongs to Ohio State, the Panthers and Nittany Lions have met 96 times. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have met just 20 times. Lastly the rivalry has seen the winner of the interstate battle be in the AP Top 5 13 times in its 96 years.
The Rivalries Return
When the two schools met in 2016, it set the record for sporting event attended in the City of Pittsburgh’s history with 69,983 gathered at Heinz Field. In 2017, 109,898 fans filled Happy Valley to watch and cheer for there respected sides, and fans seem to be eating up. The coaches are doing their parts to keep the rivalry alive whether is was the 2016 season with Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi calling Penn State “arrogant” before the game, or calling them “whiners” after the Panthers won. Then this past weekend after the Penn State victory, Head Coach James Franklin said of Pitt, “Last year them beating us was like there Super Bowl, this year us beating them is like beating Akron.” The coaches are not holding back verbal punches, which is what you want in a rivalry like this. The other great thing about the return of the rivalry is what it does for recruiting in the state for both schools. Now when you sit down at the table with a 17 or 18-year-old High School prospect you can offer them the opportunity to be apart of a great rivalry, that has seen many football legends both between the white lines. It is great for the schools, for football and it is an amazing showcase of Pennsylvania football!
This rivalry is just that; the schools, coaches, players, and fans do not like each other, which make for great football atmospheres and better ratings which earns the schools and NCAA more money. Both teams will only continue to get better under coach Narduzzi for Pitt and coach Franklin for Penn State, which means this interstate battle is just heating up next will only grow and get better. Lastly, as stated earlier, it is a great recruiting tool, being a part of such a historic rivalry, getting to play on national television and play in front 100,000 plus people. The rivalry hands down sells the schools to potential recruits. Those are my thoughts, what are yours? Do you like the rivalry? Do you want to see it continue? Does the coaches verbal battle make it that much more appealing? Only time will tell.
Written by
Carlo Guadagnino
Edited by
Daniel Bishop M.A.
References
http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400935245
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/9/9/16279242/pitt-penn-state-final-score-results-james-franklin-2017
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/09/penn_state_students_share_thou.html
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/gallery/penn-state-pitt-rivalry-preview-history-facts-james-franklin-joe-paterno-090816
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/pitt-penn-state-rivalry-2016-james-franklin-pat-narduzzi-james-conner/1aghm0ahufx1g1rlznbygiq8xa
This is a good rivalry for both teams. Neither team has a top rivial game. Penn State has the Michigan and Ohio State games but to them PSU is a big game but not their true rivalry game. The rivalry is perfect for Pitt. They struggle to fill their stadium most games. That shouldn't be an issue for a power five conference school. With this rivalry, any time they play in Pittsburgh you can count on a packed stadium. I personally think both teams are on the uprise and need a big game like this for people to have circled in their calendars every year. WE ARE!
ReplyDeleteGood read! Hail 2 pitt!! 🐾
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