Pitt accepts invitation to Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

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Pitt football is going bowling for the sixth year running. Sunday night, the Panthers accepted an invitation to play against Bowling Green State University in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 26. 

“We’re excited for the chance to play in another game against such a quality opponent,” Pitt head coach Paul Chryst said in a press release. “We are grateful to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and the city of Detroit for offering us this opportunity.”

Bowling Green (10-3, 7-1 MAC) upset then-No. 14 Northern Illinois last week with a 47-27 victory to clinch the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Falcons from Bowling Green, Ohio, finished eighth in the nation in yards allowed and finished fifth in scoring defense by allowing only 14.8 points per game.

“Bowling Green was impressive not only in their MAC Championship win, but all season long, and we have a competitive game of football ahead,” Chryst said. 

Pitt faces Bowling Green for the fourth time in history, with Pitt holding a 2-1 advantage. The last time the teams played was at Heinz Field when the Falcons upset then-No. 25 ranked Pitt by a score of 27-17 after Pitt took a 14-0 lead in the first half. 

The bowl game is the 11th for Pitt since 2000 and the 30th in the program’s history. The Panthers are 12-17 all-time in bowl games. 

“We are pleased to have this opportunity for coach Chryst and our team to play in another bowl game,” athletic director Steve Pederson said. “A bowl appearance is significant in many ways, especially as coach Chryst continues to build this program toward our next championship.”