Penn State, Pitt agree to two more football games

Well, Penn State fans who were wishing for more football games against archrival Pittsburgh, you got them.

The two universities announced Friday the addition of two games to their schedules, meaning the two fierce intrastate rivals will meet for four consecutive years from 2016 through 2019.

The Nittany Lions will take on the Panthers on Sept. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field and on Sept. 14, 2019 at Beaver Stadium.

The two schools had announced in June 2011 that they would play each other on Sept. 10, 2016 in Pittsburgh and Sept. 16, 2017 in State College.

The two teams have played 96 times but have not met since 2000 when the Panthers took a 12-0 victory at Three Rivers Stadium. Penn State holds a 50-42-4 edge in the series dating back to the first game in 1893.

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien had talked several times during his first season of wanting to get more involved with playing Pittsburgh.

"We are thrilled to have the University of Pittsburgh back on the schedule for several consecutive years," O'Brien said in a statement. "Regional rivalries in college football are special. I have been involved in a few as a coach. Penn State versus Pitt is a rivalry rich with history and tradition.

"We have a great deal of respect for (coach) Paul Chryst and the Pitt Panther football program and we are looking forward to competing against them on the gridiron."

Penn State acting athletic director Dave Joyner called the rivalry "a premier (one) that was anticipated by college football fans across Pennsylvania and the nation. There are more than 50,000 Penn State alumni and fans in western Pennsylvania and we look forward to playing in their backyard."

Penn State leads the series 16-6 in games played in State College. Pitt holds a 34-27-4 advantage on its home field. Neutral-site games, a majority of them played in Pittsburgh, show the Lions with a 5-2 edge.

--Joe Juliano