STATE COLLEGE, Pa., July 19, 1999 -- The 95th renewal of the Penn State-Pittsburgh clash on the gridiron will be televised by ESPN to a national audience. The September 11 contest will kick off at 12:10 p.m. EDT in Beaver Stadium.
The telecast is the sixth announced TV appearance of the season for the Nittany Lions, who have appeared on television 55 times in their last 56 games, including all 12 contests in 1998. Last year, Penn State appeared on ESPN twice, including its Outback Bowl win over Kentucky. Penn State has met the Panthers more than any other opponent and the Lions hold a 49-41-4 series advantage, winning the last six meetings. Previously announced for TV were Penn State's games against:
Four of the above opponents (Arizona, Miami, Ohio State, Michigan) were nationally ranked last season and are among the top 11 teams in the 1999 pre-season Football Writers Association of America poll, which was released today (see below). Arizona, which was 12-1 last year, will be the Nittany Lions' season opening opponent in the Pigskin Classic in Beaver Stadium. Penn State has won 44 of its 55 television appearances over the past five seasons. The Nittany Lions have made 176 appearances on national networks under Coach Joe Paterno and own an overall record of 120-55-1 in those games. Other Penn State contests may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten. Penn State posted a 9-3 record last fall, gaining its 23rd Top 15 finish (26th in Top 20) under Paterno, earning the No. 15 ranking in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll and the No. 17 ranking in the Associated Press survey. The Lions lose just five starters and will return 41 of their top 48 players, including punters and kickers, for the 1999 season. Penn State will return eight starters on offense, nine on defense and both specialists, in addition to 11 players with starting experience.
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