Pitt, Navy to meet in Annapolis
For the eighth consecutive season and 32nd time overall, the Pitt football team is headed to a bowl game.
The Panthers received their official invite Sunday from the Military Bowl and will play Navy of the American Athletic Conference in Annapolis, Md. The ESPN televised game, which benefits the USO, will be played in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Dec. 28 and kick off at 2:30 p.m.
“The Military Bowl is a tremendous opportunity for our team to end the season against a nationally ranked opponent,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Navy is a top-25 team with a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Keenan Reynolds. They will present us with a formidable challenge.
“Given our close proximity to Annapolis, we are looking for a great contingent of Pitt fans to make the short trek and see us play one more time this year.”
In Narduzzi’s debut season, the Panthers have compiled an 8-4 record, their winningest regular season in six years. Pitt went 6-2 in the ACC, finishing as the runner-up in the Coastal Division.
Navy is 9-2 and ranked as high as No. 21 nationally. The Midshipmen conclude their regular season Saturday against Army.
The Midshipmen, who will be playing on their home field, are led by Reynolds, whose 83 career touchdown runs are a Football Bowl Subdivision record. Reynolds has rushed for 1,093 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.
Navy’s only losses were at Notre Dame and Houston. Pitt lost three of its last five regular-season games.
This will be the 40th meeting between Pitt and Navy – and first bowl matchup – in a series that dates back to 1912. The Panthers lead the series, 22-14-3.