LIVE: Pitt v. Penn State, Return of the Rivalry

Welcome to The Pitt News’ hub for all things Pitt-Penn State related on game day. Follow this page and our social media for live coverage of the game as it’s happening, including reports and photos from the sidelines, the student section and the tailgates outside the stadium. 

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3:45 p.m. GAME OVER. After 16 years of with no game between the in-state rivals, Pitt wins 42-39.

3:42 p.m. A pass by Penn State’s Trace McSorley was intercepted in the end zone by Pitt’s Ryan Lewis with one minute and 15 seconds left in the game. The crowd went wild.

3:28 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN: Another rush by Saquon Barkley before Penn State successfully completes a 2-point conversion bringing the score to 42-39, Pitt. Six plays, 60 yards in one minute and 30 seconds by Barkley with five minutes left in the half.

3:26 p.m. Pitt’s 42-point score is the most either team has ever scored in the history of the rivalry. Just over five minutes left in the game.

3:15 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Nathan Peterman passed to James Conner for a 12-yard touchdown. The kick was good and Pitt pulls further ahead, 42-31, with 10:24 left on the clock. The touchdown was the result of three plays and 10 yards in one minute and 40 seconds.

As predicted, today’s attendance of 69,983 people set a record for any sporting event in Pittsburgh history. This attendance trumps the 68,918 record established at the 1938 Pitt vs. Fordham game at Pitt Stadium. The record can be largely attributed to the addition of new seats at Heinz Field and the fact that Pitt sold standing room only tickets for this game.

2:26 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: James Conner rushes one yard for Pitt touchdown. The Panthers widen the gap, 35-21, with 7:24 left in the third quarter.

2:10 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Back after the half, tailback Saquon Barkley made another touchdown for Penn State for 40 yards. Pitt leads 28-21 with 11:54 left in the third quarter.

1:35 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Penn State’s Saquon Barkley rushed one yard for a touchdown near the end of the first half. Tyler Davis’ kick was good. The game went into halftime with Pitt leading 28-14.

The atmosphere inside the Panther Pitt, the University student section, is amplified today as Pitt’s dedicated fanbase celebrates touchdown after touchdown by the Panthers. Head of the Panther Pitt, Brian Miller, told The Pitt News he knew the students in his section would turn out, despite claims from some Penn State faithfuls on social media that the Lions turnout would outnumber Panthers fans.

 

1:06 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Full back George Aston rushed 3 yards for his second touchdown of the day for Pitt. The score sits at 28-7, Pitt, with 11:54 left in the first half.

12:45 p.m. END OF 1ST QUARTER: Pitt 14, Penn State 7. James Conner went for 56 rushing yards while Quadree Henderson is at 47 rushing yards.

12:39 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Penn State tailback Saquon Barkley rushes three yards into the Pitt end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good. 14-7, Pitt.

12:23 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Nathan Peterman passed to WR Quadree Henderson for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point was good. 14-0, Pitt.

12:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN: Pitt’s George Aston rushes for 1-yard TD. Chris Blewitt extra point is good. 7-0, Pitt, with 8:03 left in the 1st quarter.

12 p.m. Kickoff: Rori Blair is in for the injured Dewayne Hendrix and Oluwaseun Idowu in for Elijah Zeise. Penn State wins the coin toss and will receive the ball.

11:30 a.m. LIVE from the sidelines, 30 minutes to kickoff, Sports Editor Steve Rotstein sets up the afternoon:

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Outside the stadium, tailgates were in full swing all morning.