Pinstripe Bowl Could Revive Pitt-Penn State Rivalry
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – When the Pitt Panthers ended their season with a win over Miami, they evened their record at 6-6 and became eligible for a post-season bowl game.
Penn State also ended the season with a 6-6 record and is eligible to play in a bowl for the first time since 2010.
"I'm not a Penn State fan, I'm a Pitt fan," said Rob Defazio. "I think it would be fun to smack them around a bit."
Some fans are hoping both teams will renew their longtime rivalry in a bowl game.
"I have a son at Pitt and a daughter at Penn State, so it would be a rivalry at our house," said Marcia Feinberg.
"I wish they both could win," she added.
If it happens, this game would be the 97th meeting between Pitt and Penn State. Neither team would have home field advantage because it's the Pinstripe Bowl and it would be called the Pinstripe Bowl and would be played Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium.
Over the years, they've played some hard-fought games, making their rivalry one of the best in college football. But in 2000, Pitt and Penn State played their last game.
The Nittany Lions went to the Big 10 and Pitt played Big East football, before moving to the ACC.
"Pitt doesn't play West Virginia any more, there's no rivalries anymore," said Pitt fan Pat Funwela. "I don't like that, but that's the way it is."
Pitt and Penn State are scheduled to play a regular season game in 2016. But the matchup could return sooner.
The Pinstripe Bowl features teams from the Big Ten and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Kelcy Lincoski is a freshman band member at Pitt.
'It would be exciting to be in New York, like right after Christmas in a bowl game," said Lincoski. "It would be so exciting."
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