Pat Narduzzi confirms talks with Penn State as Campbell era sparks renewed appetite for Pitt-Penn State rivalry

Pitt and Penn State have not played their in-state rivalry since 2019, but the football series could be headed toward a possible return. On Aug. 10, Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed that talks are underway between the two programs about renewing the matchup, according to Yahoo Sports.

The confirmation matters because Pitt-Penn State games carry more than local interest. They are among the most recognizable football matchups in Pennsylvania, blending recruiting territory, long-standing fan bases, and a steady storyline about who controls the state’s football conversation each fall. When the series went quiet after 2019, the gap created a scheduling void that both sides have to fill with other nonconference and rotational opponents, potentially changing recruiting reach and fan engagement across the region.

Narduzzi’s comments come as Penn State’s program enters a new phase under head coach Matt Campbell, adding a new variable to the long-term planning on both sides. Campbell’s arrival is significant in part because it can reshape how quickly a program prioritizes marquee games, particularly when those matchups can reinforce brand value and recruiting narratives. The Yahoo report frames the renewed possibility around that change in the Penn State coaching landscape, suggesting the calculus for scheduling national-caliber nonconference and crossover games may shift under Campbell’s leadership.

What is known from the confirmation is that conversations exist. What is not known, based on the reported material, is whether a specific future date, site, or series framework has been agreed upon. College football scheduling, especially between two Power Four programs, is often constrained by rotating conference designations, multi-year contracts, and buyout language, meaning even a positive dialogue does not guarantee the rivalry will reappear on a particular calendar.

Still, the renewed talks highlight a broader scheduling tension that has affected many traditional rivalries in recent years. As athletic departments balance conference obligations, television windows, and competitive balance, they may pursue fewer, higher-impact nonconference games, which can leave older rivalries waiting for the right alignment. Pitt and Penn State, tied together by geography and history, are a prime candidate to explore a targeted return once the timing works.

For fans, the next watch is not just whether the schools announce a renewed series, but the form it would take. Any return would likely depend on when both programs can align open dates and logistics, and whether the schools can agree on home-and-home terms or a different scheduling structure. If the talks progress, it would become one of the clearest indicates yet of how the Campbell era at Penn State might prioritize identity games, and it would give Pitt a high-profile platform to reintroduce its brand of football to a familiar opponent.