City Paper photo intern Luke Thor Travis checked out the early morning scene on Saturday before the game, capturing students grilling, drinking and donning anti-Penn State fashions like a “Joe Knew” T-shirt and “P.S. FU” body paint. Further hindering Pittsburgh fundamentally in this matchup could be its pass defense which was lit up and perhaps exposed by Penn State.
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The Nittany Lions tried to downplay the stakes, with coach James Franklin pointing out the current roster on both sides were toddlers the last time the two schools faced each other in 2000.
Lewis, a senior cornerback from Seattle, Wash., joined a long list of Pitt players to make unforgettable plays in the historic Penn State series, which resumed on Saturday at Heinz Field after a 16-year hiatus.
In the first set, the No. 17 Nittany Lions trailed 2-1 before taking a nine-point lead after a 10-1 run.
One that shouldn’t lack for juice when the two teams meet at Beaver Stadium next fall.
“The fact it was this close at the end of the game speaks volumes for us in the second half”, Franklin said. While that may not lead to a second straight loss this weekend it almost certainly won’t help the cause against the likes of nearly any Big Ten team on the schedule.
Pittsburgh placed extreme emphasis on last week’s game as head coach Pat Narduzzi drilled into his coaching staff and team that they were going to treat the Penn State game as a rivalry. Punt returner John Reid also had a 59-yard return that set up the first Nittany Lions touchdown of the game. The Panthers forced five fumbles and recovered three, had four sacks and scored 14 points off of Penn State turnovers.
“Coach Narduzzi said to take it all in because none of us have ever played in a game like this before”, offensive tackle Brian O’Neill said after the game. Walker has thrown five interceptions in his last three games. The ball smacked off Hamilton’s hands and onto the turf instead.
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“Obviously you guys saw our offense today”, he said to reporters after the game. In the 2 games so far this season SE Louisiana and Central Michigan averaged over 515 yards against Oklahoma State but only 154 yards rushing.
