Narduzzi is running his mouth again! Calls out Penn State!

Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi Pushes for Revival of Penn State Rivalry

In a recent statement that has sparked debate across college football circles, Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi voiced his strong desire to revive the historic rivalry between Pitt and Penn State, known as the Keystone Classic. Narduzzi, speaking at the ACC Kickoff Media Days in Charlotte, NC, lamented Penn State’s reluctance to schedule future matchups against his team.

“It’s great to have that rivalry back,” Narduzzi remarked, referring to Pitt’s renewed rivalry with West Virginia. “In Pittsburgh, we embrace rivalries. We’d love to play Penn State, if they would play us. If they won’t play us, we’d love to play West Virginia as many times as we can.”

The rivalry between Pitt and Penn State, which dates back over a century, has seen periods of intense competition and hiatus. The teams last met in a four-game series from 2016 to 2019, with Pitt claiming an initial victory and Penn State securing the subsequent three matchups. Since then, scheduling differences and differing perceptions of the rivalry’s significance have prevented further football engagements between the two schools.

This isn’t the first time i’ve written about Narduzzi and his antics after he called into a radio show to complain about a WVU fan being on there after the renewing of the Backyard Brawl back in 2023 Narduzzi said. “But I don’t think we’ll travel as well down to Morgantown because of the smaller stadium size. And the way they treat fans down there, I think there’s a lot of Pitt fans that are kind of you know — obviously they’ve got the money to do it, but I just wonder what that will be like. From all the stories I’ve heard, there’s a lot of older Pitt fans that are like, ‘I’m not going down to that place. I’d rather go to the zoo.'”

Penn State head coach James Franklin’s comments after their victories over Pitt in recent years have added fuel to the rivalry debate. Franklin famously described Pitt’s win in 2016 as “their Super Bowl” and downplayed the significance of the rivalry in comparison to matchups against perennial Big Ten contenders.

Despite the football hiatus, Pitt and Penn State continue to compete in various other sports, showcasing a broader athletic rivalry beyond the gridiron. Events like volleyball, men’s soccer, baseball, and softball regularly feature both universities, highlighting their ongoing competitiveness across multiple disciplines.

The historical context of the Pitt-Penn State rivalry stretches back to the early 20th century, punctuated by periods of dormancy due to conference realignments and scheduling disagreements. Many attribute the rift in the rivalry to Penn State’s entry into the Big Ten in 1993, which altered their football scheduling priorities and reduced the number of non-conference games available for matchups with former regional rivals.

Looking ahead, Narduzzi remains optimistic about the rivalry’s potential revival, especially with the College Football Playoff’s recent expansion allowing for broader scheduling flexibility. The Panthers’ coach believes that renewing the Keystone Classic could reignite one of college football’s most storied rivalries, providing fans with memorable contests and enhancing the region’s football culture.

While the future of the Pitt-Penn State football rivalry remains uncertain, the passion and historical significance associated with the Keystone Classic continue to resonate among alumni, fans, and players alike. As both programs navigate their respective schedules and priorities, the prospect of future gridiron showdowns between the Panthers and Nittany Lions remains a tantalizing possibility for college football enthusiasts everywhere.

For the latest updates on College athletics and exclusive coverage, visit WV Insiders at wvinsiders.com.