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Pat Narduzzi laughs when he learns which in-state opponent Penn State scheduled
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Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi hasn’t been quiet about his dislike for Penn State. The back-and-forth between the two programs over the last few years has left both sides wanting to reschedule more regular head-to-head matchups.
But after the 2019 matchup between Pitt and Penn State, the two programs will not meet again until at least 2030, leaving over a decade of space between head-to-head contests. So when the Nittany Lions’ future non-conference schedule was released, Narduzzi was asked how he felt that Penn State and Temple — who will meet in 2026 and 2027 — were renewing a home-and-home rivalry.
“Ha, figures,” Narduzzi said, throwing his hands into the air.
#Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi’s reaction to being told that #PennState had scheduled a home-and-home with #Temple. pic.twitter.com/Xp7Me1a1pW
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 30, 2018
That comment probably won’t sit well with Penn State fans.
Pitt and Penn State have played 98 times on the field, but didn’t go head-to-head from 2001-2015. The rivalry was renewed in 2016, a game the Panthers won 42-39.
The Nittany Lions won last year’s bout 33-14.
The two schools will play on Sept. 8 this season in Pittsburgh and will again meet in Happy Valley in 2019. After that, the rivalry is expected to be placed on a significant hold.
Penn State opens the 2018 season on Saturday against Appalachian State.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB