Pitt-Penn State Game Day Notebook
Game day is finally here for the Panthers as they face the Penn State Nittany Lions. We’ll update this notebook throughout the day with notes from recruits that will be attending and with updates from Alan Saunders and Mike Vukovcan who will be live on the scene at Heinz Field. You can click here for updates from earlier in the day.
UPDATE (7:32 PM)-
UPDATE (7:09 PM)-
Kenny Pickett out for warmups. pic.twitter.com/ze7eMFaPua
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 8, 2018
Blue Band in the House. One of the best parts of this rivalry. Two quality marching bands. pic.twitter.com/Yyx2Z0bIg4
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 8, 2018
DBs warming up. pic.twitter.com/AiHvQk5uuJ
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 8, 2018
UPDATE (6:51 PM)- Check out some tailgaters doing their thing on the way into Heinz Field.
UPDATE (6:48 PM)- The rain has intensified at Heinz Field, and before formal warmups have even started, they’re working on the playing surface at Heinz Field. Looks like it could be a very sloppy track tonight.
UPDATE (6:20 PM)-
.@PittBand Marching in. pic.twitter.com/wiYTD1BuOt
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 8, 2018
#Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi leads his Panthers into Heinz Field. pic.twitter.com/Vo4E5fm86Q
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 8, 2018
UPDATE (5:00 PM)-
Pitt fans are now officially allowed to enter the ARCO Parking lots that surround the stadium, but unofficially, tailgates have been going on for quite some time. Here’s some of our PittTwitter friends tailgating.
UPDATE (4:52 PM)-
Mike Ditka said ready to go in for one pancake block tonight…! #H2P pic.twitter.com/GxJyqXFvfE
— Tim Salem (@CoachTimSalem) September 8, 2018
UPDATE (4:40 PM)-
LOCK THE GATES
Right now, the gates to Heinz Field are solidly locked. But they will be opening at 5:40 p.m., a few minutes earlier than usual.
????IT'S GAMEDAY!????
Follow this thread for all pregame info!#H2P #LockTheGates pic.twitter.com/U3ut00wI36
— Pitt Athletics (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) September 8, 2018
The team is scheduled to arrive on General Robinson Street at approximately 5:45 p.m.
UPDATE (4:05 PM)-
Pitt athletics is looking for a Saturday sweep at the volleyball team swept No. 12 Washington, 25-13 and 25-17.
HOW SWEEP IT IS. ????
No. 13 Pitt gets revenge on No. 12 Washington‼
Panthers improve to 9-0, extending their best start since 2006.#OwnIt • #H2P pic.twitter.com/FqRC6dqJTu
— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) September 8, 2018
UPDATE (3:35 PM)-
The weather and the Pirates appear to be cooperating for a smooth exchange in the parking lots surrounding PNC Park and Heinz Field this afternoon, but it’s not going to be a fast track for Pitt and Penn State tonight.
UPDATE (1:45 PM)-
HONORARY CAPTAIN
Honorary Captain today: Mike Ditka
– 3 sport athlete and Letterman at Pitt
– All American in 1960
– Team Captain
– Retired #89
– 5th Overall pick in 1961
– First person to win Super Bowl as Player and Coach
– Member of the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/vC2pTwNJXv— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) September 8, 2018
Each week, Pitt brings a former player into the locker room to give a pregame speech and get the Panthers fired up. This week, with plenty of former greats in town thanks to Pitt’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night, Pat Narduzzi had plenty of choices. He went with “Iron” Mike Dikta, an Aliquippa native that was an All-American at Pitt and the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame before going on to successful coaching and broadcasting careers. Ditka’s No. 89 has been retired by the Panthers.
Photo courtesy Pitt athletics.
Previous 2018 honorary captains:
Week 1 vs. Albany: QB Rod Rutherford (2000-03)
UPDATE (1:20 PM)-
GAME CAPTAIN
Game 2 Captains.#H2P#LockTheGates pic.twitter.com/lrUMq9HObO
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) September 7, 2018
Each game this season, Pitt will add a rotating fourth captain to the Panthers’ three permanent captains: RT Alex Bookser, MLB Quintin Wirginis and SS Dennis Briggs. This week, redshirt senior fullback George Aston will be the fourth game captain.

George Aston October 27, 2016 (Photo credit: David Hague)
Aston scored the opening touchdown against Penn State in 2016, and was quote on Pitt’s highlight video as saying “It’s a great day to hit someone in the mouth.”
Previous game captains:
Week 1 vs. Albany: OLB Seun Idowu
UPDATE (12:45 PM)-
UNIFORM REVEAL
⛓ Friday Uniform Reveal ⛓
Pitt ???? Penn State
???? ???? ????#H2P ???? #LockTheGates pic.twitter.com/99ivl8FfPz
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 7, 2018
Pitt will wear matte navy blue helmets, navy blue jerseys and navy blue pants against the Nittany Lions, which will suit up in their traditional, head-to-toe road whites. It’s the exact same set of uniforms each team wore at Heinz Field two years ago, when Pitt won, 42-39.

Ryan Lewis with the INT to seal the win over Penn State, September 10, 2016 (Photo credit: David Hague)
Pitt is 3-1 all-time in that combination, beating Virginia and Miami last year and losing to Virginia Tech in 2016.
