Pitt Adds MAC Opponent to Future Schedule

The Pitt Panthers added a MAC opponent to their future schedule.

Dominic Campbell | Nov 6, 2024

Aug 31, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) runs the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 55-24.Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers added a MAC school to their future schedule, as they look to fill up non-conference portions of upcoming years.

Brent McMurphy of Action Network reported that Pitt added Toledo as a future opponent that they will host in 2030.

Pitt adds 2030 home game w/Toledo
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 6, 2024

The Panthers are 2-1 against the Rockets in the all-time series, with all games coming in the 2000s.

Pitt defeated Toledo in their first ever game, a 37-19 victory at Heinz Field on Sept. 28, 2002. Quarterback Rod Rutherford completed 18-of-27 pass attempts for 316 yards and threw three touchdowns, while wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught six of those passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rockets got revenge the next season, upsetting the then ranked No. 9 Panthers, 35-31 on Sept. 20, 2003 at the Glass Bowl.

Pitt led most of that matchup, 24-14 at halftime and 31-21 at the end of the third quarter. Toledo would use two long touchdown drives, 12 plays for 98 yards over five minutes, to cut the lead to three, and then 15 plays for 83 yards over four minutes, to get the go-ahead touchdown.

The Panthers dominated the Rockets in their past matchup, a 45-3 rout on Sept. 30, 2006. Quarterback Tyler Palko completed 12-of-15 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Pitt is 29-5 against MAC schools all-time and 5-1 under head coach Pat Narduzzi since he took over in 2015.

They lost to Western Michigan at home, 44-41 on Sept. 18, 2021, but defeated Akron 24-7 on the road on Sept. 12, 2015, Ohio at home, 20-10 on Sept. 7, 2019, Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl, 34-30 on Dec. 26, 2019, Western Michigan on the road, 34-13 on Sept. 17, 2022 and Kent State at home, 55-24 in Week 1 this season.

Pitt has two other MAC opponents in their future schedules, as they'll host Central Michigan on Sept. 6, 2025 and Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 5, 2026.

This Toledo game is one of two non-conference games that Pitt has in 2030 so far, along with a road matchup vs. rival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl on Sept. 7.