Here is the info for Saturday’s games… as always take a look at the “Game Notes” link for the full barrage of information.

LINK (PDF): Pitt Game Notes (vs. PSU)

We’ll start off with the two-deep and note that this week we see a that it is exactly the same as last week with the exception of RG Bookser being listed as an “OR” with Brandon Hodges. That, of course, is Bookser coming off a suspension.

GAME STORYLINES

• Pitt and Penn State meet for the 98th time in a series widely regarded as one of college football’s most historic rivalries. The Panthers have won each of the past two encounters, 42-39 last season and 12-0 in 2000.
• At one time an annual Keystone State clash, the series began in 1893 and has pitted former high school teammates and even family members against one another. This year’s contest marks the second of a four-game agreement that concludes in 2019.
• Pitt will be visiting Beaver Stadium for the first time in 18 years. The Panthers have lost each of their last four games at Penn State (1990, 1992, 1997, 1999) and are just 6-17 on the road against the Nittany Lions.
• Pitt’s last win in State College, a 14-7 decision in 1988, was spurred by the late Curtis Bray, who had a sack for a safety and key interception as a freshman linebacker.
• A victory at Penn State would give the Panthers three consecutive wins in the series, something they have not achieved since 1944-46.
• Pat Narduzzi’s familiarity with the Nittany Lions predates his time as Pitt’s head coach. As Michigan State’s defensive coordinator from 2007-14, Narduzzi faced Penn State five times, winning three of those contests.
• Narduzzi’s last visit to Penn State was the 2014 regular-season finale when Michigan State yielded just 233 yards in a 34-10 victory.
• This will be Pitt’s second road game against a Top 10 foe in its last six contests. The Panthers played at No. 2 Clemson last Nov. 12 and handed the eventual national champion its only loss, 43-42. Pitt’s victory in Death Valley snapped the country’s longest home winning streak at 21 games.

SERIES NOTES

Pitt and Penn State meet for the 98th time in a series that dates back to 1893…the Nittany Lions lead the all-time series, 50-43-4…the Panthers have won each of the past two games, 12-0 in 2000 and 42-39 in 2016…both of those meetings were in Pittsburgh…the 2017 encounter marks Pitt’s first game at Penn State since 1999…the Panthers are striving for a third consecutive victory over the Nittany Lions, something they have not achieved since 1944-46…Pitt has lost each of its last four games in Beaver Stadium (1990, 1992, 1997, 1999)…the Panthers’ last road victory in the series was a 14-7 decision in 1988…Pitt is 4-6 in its last 10 games at Penn State, dating back to 1979…Pitt’s longest winning streak in the series is 14 games, achieved under legendary coaches Pop Warner (1922-23) and Jock Sutherland (1924-31, 1935-38)…from 1913-38, Pitt achieved an incredible 20-1-2 run against the Nittany Lions (the lone loss occurring in 1919)…Penn State’s longest winning streak against the Panthers is 10 games, achieved under Joe Paterno from 1966-75…despite being located less than three hours apart, this will be only the second game between Pitt and Penn State since the series went on hiatus following the 2000 season…Pitt-Penn State was once an annual affair—the teams played every year from 1900-31 and then again from 1935-92…four games were played from 1997-2000 before last year’s resumption of the rivalry…the 2017 game is the second of a four-year agreement that ends in 2019…Pitt hosts the 2018 game (Sept. 8), while Penn State will host in 2019 (Sept. 14).