PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It was a big day for college football fans in Pittsburgh as the Pitt Panthers kicked off their new season with a 35-16 victory over the Buffalo Bulls Saturday evening at Heinz Field.

Fans were out in full force on the North Shore all day, and if tailgating and a Pitt win didn’t have them excited enough, the “Light the River Spectacular” after the game sure fired them up.

It wasn’t exactly football weather as the heat index hovered near 100 degrees, but for the fans who descended on Heinz Field, it didn’t matter much.

One thing Pitt fans are known for, their indomitable spirit, which of course was in evidence as game time approached.

“I think they are going to be really good,” said one fan. “I’m really excited for the new offense.”

With a new head coach – Todd Graham – at the helm, a new era of Pitt football officially got underway.

“Graham said – when he became the coach – he said we’re not going to sit down the whole game, that’s what I’m looking for,” said another fan. “If I sit down today, I’m going to be a little bit mad.”

Pitt’s regular season schedule has a dozen games on tap this year and eight of those are home games.

Shortly after the season opener ended, fans were also treated to the “Light the River Spectacular,” sponsored by Peoples Natural Gas.

Fans could watch the show, featuring fireworks as well as flame and pyrotechnic effects, from the Great Lawn or River Walk.

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