Panthers Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

Team Mascot: Panther

Year Opened: 2001

Capacity: 68400

City / State: Pittsburgh / Pennsylvania

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

The Backyard Brawl

Rival Team: West Virginia Mountaineers

This rivalry between West Virginia and Pitt is fueled by the two schools proximity as both schools are separated by only 75 miles along I-79. The Backyard Brawl is the 14th oldest rivalry in college football having first been played in 1895, which was won an 8-0 West Virginia shutout. Pitt has made up for that initial defeat by taking a 21 game lead in the all-time series, which is 61-40-3 in their favor. One of the most famous Backyard Brawls occurred in December of 2007 when the 4-7 Panthers upended the number 2 ranked Mountaineers 13-9 crushing West Virginia’s national championship aspirations. The Panthers will hope to continue to get the best of their bitter rivals in the upcoming years.

Pitt vs Penn

Rival Team: Penn State Nitanny Lions

The Panthers and Nittany Lions have been battling for Keystone state supremacy since 1893 when Penn State beat Pitt 32-0. Pitt has fared better in the meetings since then. However, they still trail the overall series 50-42-4. The rivalry was once regarded as the fiercest in the northern half of the country. However, the rivalry lost a bit of steam recently as it has been dormant from 2000 to 2016. The Panthers will look to rekindle their rivalry against the Nittany Lions with a victory at Acrisure Stadium in 2016.

Pitt vs Notre Dame

Rival Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Pitt is Notre Dame’s fifth most played an opponent and as such, they have developed quite the rivalry with the Fighting Irish. The two teams first met in 1909 and Notre Dame holds the lead in the all-time series 47-21-1. Recently both schools have joined the ACC with the Panthers winning their only meeting so far in 2013.

Pitt vs Syracuse

Rival Team: Syracuse Orange

Pitt and ‘Cuse first met in 1916 and had played each other every year since 1955. The Panthers won the first meeting 30-0 and have taken control of the series since developing a 36-31-3 lead all-time. Pitt will look to extend their two-game winning streak over the Orange when the two teams meet this year.

Panthers Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Panther fans have a lot of pride in their team, but they are also very welcoming and friendly. If you’re a visiting fan you may receive a bit of light heckling, but nothing more intense than some good natured ribbing. If you like a fun relaxed tailgating atmosphere come on out to a Pitt Panthers game and don’t forget to bring some Yuengling.

The Panthers Prowl offers fans the chance to rub shoulders with the team before the match. This walk is accompanied by the band playing the Pitt fight song outside Acrisure Stadium as the team makes it way to the locker room. The Prowl takes place before kickoff and culminates at Acrisure Stadium Gate A, so make sure to get to the stadium early if you want to give the Panthers some last minute inspiration.

You’ll have an excellent time throwing back some brews and celebrating a Panthers gameday at a Pitt tailgate.

Traditions

Millennium Panther

Before every athletic event at the University of Pittsburgh fans rub the nose of the Millennium Panther statue to bring the team good luck. The Millennium Panther is located right outside the William Pitt Union, so make your way to the statute before the game to give the Panthers that extra bit of luck.

Panther Prowl

The Prowl is your chance to give the Panthers some last minute inspiration before they enter the stadium. During the walk the band and players parade into the stadium past hundreds of Pitt fans.

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Victory Lights

After every Panthers victory you can see the Cathedral of Learning lit up.

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Where to tailgate

Panthers Stadium Guide

In Game

Yinzers take their sports teams very seriously, and the Panthers are no exception. The fans here create a great game day atmosphere as they brim with passion and pride for the Panthers, yet are still a friendly bunch.  If you’re a visiting fan, you will get heckled a bit, but fans will still treat you with respect and create an overall inviting environment.

Not only does Pitt have some great fans they also have had some great teams over the years. The Panthers have won nine national championships, with the last coming in 1976, and have also produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The Panthers most famous alumni is Dan Marino who held the record for most passing yards passes completed, and touchdown passes when he retired from the NFL in 1999. In addition to Marino all time greats such as Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, and Larry Fitzgerald all played their collegiate football at Pitt.

One of the unique things about attending a Pitt game is they are the only school with an official yell that is part of one of their fight songs. The yell is in the fight song Hail to Pitt and is a reference to W.A. Johnston’s Official University Yell. When attending a Pitt Panthers game bring your vocal chords as you’ll need them to take part in this unique game day tradition.

Things to check out

Great Hall

The advantages to sharing Acrisure Stadium with the Steelers is that fans can experience an NFL style gameday experience, while also getting the incredible atmosphere of a college football game. One way to get the NFL experience is to visit The Great Hall, which displays the rich history of one of the NFL’s greatest franchises. The Great Hall is a must see for any NFL fan regardless what team you support.

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Hail to Pitt Flag

Each game 100 students are selected to carry the 50-yard-long Hail to Pitt Flag. The flag is displayed on the field during pre-game activities and is an excellent way to show off the pride and tradition of Pitt football. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hail to Pitt Flag when attending a Panthers football game.

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Ketchup Bottles

Iconic Heinz Field ketchup bottle makes a triumphant return to Pittsburgh’s North Shore, finding its new home at the Heinz Gate outside Acrisure Stadium. The newly restored 33-foot symbol boasts a flawless crimson fiberglass shell, adorned with a high-shine label that stays true to its classic design. Hoisting it above Gate C was no easy task, emphasizing the attention to detail put into this delicate process. The two giant ketchup bottles were removed from the stadium’s scoreboard last July 2022 due to the change in naming rights, but Heinz’s continued partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers ensures their presence lives on, providing fans with an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.

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Fan Tunnel

The Hail to Pitt Flag isn’t the only way students can get involved in the pre-game ceremony; they can also be a member of the group of students who create a tunnel that the team charges through as it takes the field. While this tradition was briefly lost in 1999, it was reinstated in 2008 to help lift the Panthers to victory.

Fight Songs

  1. Pitt Victory Song

    Let’s go Pitt, we’re set for victory
    So lend a hand, strike up the band!
    Let’s go Pitt, we’re making history
    We’ll never yield out on the field.
    The whistle blows, we’re on our toes
    The ball is IN the air.
    It may be rough the going tough
    But always fighting fair so…

    (Chorus)
    Fight on for dear old Pittsburgh
    And for the glory of the game
    Show our worthy foe that the Panther’s on the go
    Pitt must win today! Rah! Rah! Rah!
    Cheer loyal sons of Pittsburgh
    Cheer on to victory and fame
    For the Blue and Gold shall conquer as of old
    So fight, Pitt, fight!

    (YELL)
    Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
    Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
    V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

    (Repeat Chorus)

  2. Pitt Alma Mater

    Alma mater, wise and glorious

    Child of light and bride of truth

    Over fate and foe victorious

    Dowered with eternal youth.  

     

    Crowned with love of son and daughter

    Thou shalt conquer as of yore.

    Dear old Pittsburgh, Alma Mater

    God preserve thee evermore.

  3. Hail to Pitt

    Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt every loyal son

    Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt ’til the victory is won

    The gold and blue shall wave forever

    On high through fair and stormy weather

    We’ll sing her praises far and wide

    Until the end of time

    Hooperay, hooperay for dear old U-N-I

    We’ll give a grand old alleghenee, genac, genac, genac

    We’ll wave and cheer for many a year

    And sing our songs out loud and clear

    For our university.

  4. Sweet Caroline

    The Panthers like their NFL counterpart the Steelers traditionally sing “Sweet Caroline” between the third and fourth quarter of every game. All the Pitt fans know the song by heart, so come prepared to belt out the lyrics with the crowd when attending a game at Acrisure Stadium.

    Where it began,
    I can’t begin to knowin’
    But then I know it’s growing strong

    Was in the spring
    And spring became the summer
    Who’d have believed you’d come along.

    Hands, touchin’ hands
    Reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you

    Sweet Caroline
    Good times never seemed so good
    I’ve been inclined
    To believe they never would
    But now I…

    …look at the night
    And it don’t seem so lonely
    We fill it up with only two.

    And when I hurt,
    Hurtin’ runs off my shoulders
    How can I hurt when holding you?

    Warm, touchin’ warm
    Reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you

    Sweet Caroline
    Good times never seemed so good
    I’ve been inclined,
    To believe they never would
    Oh, no, no

    Sweet Caroline
    Good times never seemed so good
    Sweet Caroline,
    I believe they never could
    Sweet Caroline
    Good times never seemed so good
    Sweet Caroline…

  5. Official University Yell

    Pitt is the only school with an official yell as part of the chorus in one of its fight songs. The yell is in the fight song Hail to Pitt and is a reference to W.A. Johnston’s Official University Yell. When attending a Pitt Panthers game bring your vocal chords as you’ll need them to take part in this unique game day tradition.

    Alleghenee, genack genack!

    Alleghenee, genack genack!

    Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!

Panthers Bars & Restaurants

  1. Fuel & Fuddle

    Fuel and Fuddel

    Fuel and Fuddle is a lively little joint in the heart of Oakland that serves great wild fire food and chilled beer on tap.

    212 Oakland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

    412-682-3473

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  2. Primanti Bros.

    Primanti Bros pasta

    Long-running Pittsburgh-born chain known for its sandwiches piled high with coleslaw & french fries.

    3803 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

    412-621-4444

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. The Smiling Moose

    Smiling Moose tacos

    The Smiling Moose is a Premier Bar/Restaurant/ Venue located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Historic South Side.

    1306 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA

    412-431-4668

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Hemingway’s Cafe

    Hemingways Cafe

    Bustling watering hole offering booze, American grub, DJs & karaoke in a humble setting.

    3911 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

    412-621-4100

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Mario’s South Side Saloon

    Marios East Side Saloon

    This long-standing neighborhood pub offers ribs & other bar bites, TV sports, karaoke & live music.

    1514 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA

    412-681-3713

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. Sorrento’s Pizza

    Imos Pizza Pizza

    Thin & thick-crust pizzas, hoagies & pasta dishes served up in basic, paneled quarters with booths.

    233 Atwood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

    412-621-9129

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  7. P&G’s Pamela Diner

    Pamelas Dimer

    Charming, retro breakfast & lunch spot for specialty crepe-hotcakes, omelets & burgers. Cash only.

    3703 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

    412-683-4066

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto

    Monteray Bay Fish

    White-tablecloth eatery & bar with panoramic riverside views offers elegantly plated seafood.

    1411 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211, USA

    412-481-4414

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  9. Altius

    Altius

    At Altius, we see every detail of your visit as an opportunity to create a sublime, elevated experience.

    1230 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211, USA

    412-904-4442

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  10. Nicky’s Thai Kitchen

    Nickys Thai kitchen

    It is our pleasure to bring the best of traditional Thai cuisine to the Pittsburgh region for both Dine in and Take Away.

    856 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, USA

    412-321-8424

    Bar website

    asian - $$

  11. The Burgatory

    Burgatory

    Blessed be the Burgers!

    5834, 342 N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States

    412-586-5846

    Bar website

    american - $$