Pitt, Penn State extend football series through 2019

Pitt and Penn State will play every year from 2016-2019 as they both agreed to extend their series by adding two more games to their previous contract. At one time this college football rivalry was considered one of the best north of the Mason-Dixon line.

November 24, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions players run onto the field prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Pitt will host Penn State at Heinz Field in 2016 and 2018, while Penn State will host the Panthers at Beaver Stadium in 2017 and 2019. The historical rivalry began in 1893, and the schools played every season from 1900-31 and 1935-92. The schools decided to take a four year break before continuing the rivalry in 1997. The last time these schools played each other was in 2000; the Keystone State series has been dormant ever since.

Prior to 1950, Pitt dominated the series (29–17–2), in one span defeating Penn State in fourteen straight meetings. However, since 1950 Penn State has a record of 33-13-2.

With this news it looks like Pitt will not play another big rival. Don’t expect to see the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia return anytime soon.