No. 4 Penn State worried about Panthers, not revenge
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Penn State and Pittsburgh renew a series that dates back to 1893 on Saturday when the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions welcome the Panthers to Beaver Stadium.
Coach James Franklin spoke nearly 7,000 words this week about the showdown. The number of times Franklin used the words “rival” or “rivalry” equaled the number of points Penn State allowed in an opening win over Akron. That would be zero. That doesn’t mean the 98th iteration of the series isn’t a big deal. It is. At least this week. Franklin and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi tried to outdo each other in down- playing how the outcome will resonate beyond Saturday.
“People kind of keep asking me about this game,” Franklin said. “And I understand the significance of this game, and I understand the importance of this game. But I’m also a huge believer that this is the Some things to watch:
Though Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi stressed this is just another game week, he did take the unusual step of making his players off limits to the media. Narduzzi said he just wanted the Panthers “locked in” and not because he was concerned about them providing bulletin board material. “It’s just a matter of focus on what we’re doing,” Narduzzi said.
MUTE BUTTON: STOPPING SAQUON:
Saquon Barkley lit up the Panthers for 130 total yards and five TDs last fall. A year later the junior could give a potential Heisman Trophy campaign a serious jolt with a repeat performance. He’s already off to a good start, putting up 246 all-purpose yards in last week’s romp over the Zips. Pitt had serious issues covering Youngstown State running
most important game on our schedule because it’s the one we play this week.”
. The largest crowd to watch a sporting event in Pittsburgh history showed up at Heinz Field last fall as the Panthers held on in a 42-39 classic, preserving the victory backs in the passing game in the opener, and Penn State loves to find ways to get Barkley the ball in space.
READY, SET, GO:
Penn State’s offense had trouble getting going early in games last season. That wasn’t a problem last week, when the Nittany Lions put up five TDns in the first half. Jumping on a young Pitt team early in a hostile environment is a priority.
LUCKY UNDIES?:
Narduzzi admits he’s a little superstitious, but within reason. Asked if there’s anything he’s trying to repeat before their staggering upset of eventual national champion Clemson in Death Valley last year, Narduzzi just laughed. “I don’t know which underwear I wore for that game for the superstitious part,” he said.
when Ryan Lewis picked off Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley in the end zone in the final moments.
The triumph provided Narduzzi with his first signature win with the Panthers. It also served as a spring board of sorts for Penn State. The Nittany Lions went 10-2 the rest of the way. In hindsight, falling to the Panthers may have kept Penn State out of the College Football Playoff.
“I think it left kind of a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth, but you know, last year is last year,” senior safety Troy Apke said.
The way Narduzzi figures it, there’s enough to worry about without amping up the stakes by trying to inject animosity that just isn’t there, at least in locker rooms populated by players who weren’t born the last time Pitt won at Penn State 29 years ago.
“We’re just going to play football,” Narduzzi said.