Pitt adds prominent foes to future football schedu

[bullwark]

The University of Pittsburgh has added five nationally-prominent opponents to its non-conference football schedule in the coming decade.

Pitt Athletic Director Jeff Long announced today future non-conference games with Iowa, NC State, Virginia and former Big East opponents Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech.

"Our future non-conference schedules reflect our efforts to compete against some of the nation's finest programs," Long said in a prepared statement. "It also reflects the importance of constructing a balanced non-conference schedule that provides quality opponents and prepares us for our Big East schedule. It is particularly exciting for our fans who will be able to see national-caliber intersectional games at Heinz Field."

In addition to these future non-conference games, Pitt announced last November an eight-year, home-and-home deal with Notre Dame that runs from 2008-15.

Pitt and Iowa, which is coached by Upper St. Clair High graduate Kirk Ferentz, have signed a four-year, home-and-home agreement. The Panthers and Hawkeyes will meet in 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016. The Panthers will host the '08 and '16 games.

Iowa is one of two Big 10 teams to appear on Pitt's future non-conference schedules. Under a previously signed agreement, the Panthers will play Michigan State in 2006 (at Pittsburgh) and 2007 (at East Lansing).

The Iowa agreement resumes a series that has not been played since the 1950s. Pitt defeated the Hawkeyes, 26-14 at Pitt Stadium, the last time the schools met on Sept. 27, 1952.

As previously reported by the Post-Gazette, Pitt and Virginia will meet in 2006 and 2007 with the Panthers hosting the initial game. Pitt and Virginia last met in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl. The '06 contest will mark the school's first regular-season meeting since 1955.

Another recent bowl opponent, NC State, will come on the regular-season schedule in 2009. The Panthers will play in Raleigh that year and host the Wolfpack in 2013. The last time the schools met, Pitt defeated NC State, 34-19, in the 2001 Tangerine Bowl.

After playing some highly dramatic games from 2000-03, Pitt and Virginia Tech will meet again in 2012 and 2013. The '12 game will be played in Pittsburgh with a trip to Blacksburg scheduled for the following season.

The Panthers will additionally host Miami during the 2010 season in a one-game agreement.