UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH EXTENDS CONTRACT OF DAVE WANNSTEDT

PITTSBURGH—Citing “unmistakable progress and achievement, both on and off the field,” University of Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson today announced a contract extension for Pitt head football coach Dave Wannstedt. Two years were added to Wannstedt’s current pact, ensuring he will remain Pitt’s head coach through at least January 2015.

“Dave has done an excellent job of leading our football program,” Pederson said. “We are proud of the accomplishments of our team, both on and off the field.  We have always believed that when you have the right person, you should give them the time and support to accomplish all the goals they have for our program.”

“I greatly appreciate the confidence that Chancellor Nordenberg, Steve Pederson and our entire administration have in what we are building and accomplishing with our football program at the University of Pittsburgh,” said Wannstedt, who enters his sixth season as head coach at his alma mater (B.S. 1974, M.Ed. 1976). “While we are all proud of the strides we’ve made, we look forward to even greater accomplishments in the future.”

The 2009 campaign was the latest example of Pitt's ascendance under his direction. Among the highlights:

·         The Panthers finished with a 10-3 record, capped by an exciting 19-17 victory over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It was the program's winningest season since 1981. Pitt's 10 victories secured a final national ranking of No. 15 in both polls, the Panthers' highest final listing since 1982.

·         On an individual level, Pitt players again were recognized among the very best in all of college football. Tight end Dorin Dickerson earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the third player in the past four seasons under Wannstedt to earn that prestigious accolade.

·         Tailback Dion Lewis was the most decorated freshman in the country after rushing for 1,799 yards last year. Lewis was named the national freshman of the year by Sporting News and CBS Sports. Additionally, he earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors from the league's coaches.

·         On the other side of the ball, defensive end Greg Romeus and defensive tackle Mick Williams shared the Big East Defensive Player of the Year honor, the first time in the league's history a pair of teammates received the award in the same season.

Over the past two seasons, Pitt has produced 19 wins, the second highest total in the Big East Conference and among the top 25 nationally. The Panthers are 20-7 (.741) over their last 27 games, dating back to the landmark 13-9 upset at West Virginia on Dec. 1, 2007 — the first victory over a team ranked No. 1 in school history.

All indications are that this success is just the beginning for the Panthers. With Wannstedt’s recent string of strong recruiting classes, and the infusion of a winning culture at Pitt, the Panthers appear primed to continue their rise. Wannstedt’s 2010 edition is already earning preseason Top 25 recognition from such media outlets as Rivals.com (No. 13), ESPN.com (No. 14), SportsIllustrated.com (No. 16) and CBSSports.com (No. 24). Pitt will play one of the most-anticipated season openers in the country in 2010 when it travels to Utah for a Sept. 2 game.

2010 PITT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

    PITTSBURGH—Fresh off a memorable 10-win campaign that included a dramatic bowl victory and Top 15 national finish, the University of Pittsburgh today announced its 2010 football schedule.

    Pitt’s 12-game regular-season slate includes traditional Big East rivalries and a non-conference schedule that should rank among the nation’s most challenging.

    Coming off last year’s breakthrough season, the anticipation is already growing for 2010. No fewer than four early Top 25 listings tab the Panthers as a major contender for a BCS bowl berth this year.

    Moreover, Pitt boasts some of the biggest stars in college football with the return of such All-America talents as defensive end Greg Romeus, running back Dion Lewis and receiver Jonathan Baldwin.

    Pitt’s 2010 schedule is highlighted by:

·       Seven teams that advanced to bowl games in 2009.

·       Six dates already scheduled for national television.

·       The return of the “Backyard Brawl” to Heinz Field. Pitt hosts rival West Virginia (Nov. 26) for the 103^rd renewal of one of college football’s most colorful series.

·       A season opener between likely Top 25 teams when Pitt plays at Utah (Sept. 2). The Panthers will face a Utes team that has won nine consecutive bowl games. 

·       An anticipated ESPN Thursday night clash with Miami (Sept. 23) at Heinz Field. The Panthers and Hurricanes meet for the first time in seven seasons. Pitt will also play a Thursday ESPN game at Connecticut (Nov. 11), which routed SEC foe South Carolina, 20-7, in last year’s PapaJohns.com Bowl.

·       A visit to South Bend for the continuation of Pitt’s historic rivalry with Notre Dame (Oct. 9). The Panthers will be seeking a third consecutive victory over the Irish. 

·       Key Big East encounters against teams that won bowl games in 2009, including a home date with Rutgers (Oct. 23) and road contest at USF (Nov. 20). The Scarlet Knights have won four consecutive bowls, while the Bulls have won back-to-back postseason games.

·       The regular-season finale at Cincinnati (Dec. 4), a game that, for the third consecutive year, could have Big East title and BCS bowl implications. Last year’s game has been described as the most exciting contest of the 2009 college football season. 

    The Panthers open their home schedule Sept. 11 against New Hampshire, one of the top programs on the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. UNH has won five straight games over Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. Other home dates include Big East foe Louisville (Oct. 30) and a non-conference game with Florida International (Oct. 2). The Panthers will also play at traditional eastern foe Syracuse (Oct. 16).

    Season-ticket packages are currently on sale for as low as $87 and can be purchased online (PittsburghPanthers.com), by phone (800/643-PITT) or in person at the Petersen Events Center ticket office. Current season ticket holders who renew online by March 31 will receive a $10 discount.

2010 Pitt Football Schedule

                                    Date                            Opponent (TV)                                         Time

                                    Sept. 2 (Thurs.)           at Utah (CBS CSN)                                    TBA

                                    Sept. 11                      New Hampshire                                        1 p.m.

                                    Sept. 23 (Thurs.)       Miami (Fla.) (ESPN)                                 7:30 p.m.

                                    Oct. 2                          Florida International                                TBA                                           

                                    Oct. 9                          at Notre Dame (NBC)                                 3:30 p.m.

                                    Oct. 16                        at Syracuse*                                                TBA

                                    Oct. 23                        Rutgers*                                                    TBA

                                    Oct. 30                        Louisville*                                                  TBA

                                    Nov. 11 (Thurs.)         at Connecticut* (ESPN)                              7:30 p.m.

                                    Nov. 20                       at USF*                                                       TBA

                                    Nov. 26 (Fri.)             West Virginia* (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2)   TBA

                                    Dec. 4                          at Cincinnati* (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2)        TBA

    All home games denoted in bold

    *denotes Big East Conference game

    Due to television considerations, TBA kickoff times will be announced at a later date

Statement from Pitt head football coach Dave Wannstedt:

“Foge was a true 'Pitt Man.' He loved this university and everyone at Pitt loved Foge. He was an outstanding football coach and an even better person. From the time I came back to Pittsburgh five years ago, no one has been a better friend or supporter of what we are doing at Pitt. He will be greatly missed.”

Statement from Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson:

“I don’t know that anyone embodied the Pitt spirit better than Foge Fazio. It was obvious from the first time that I met him how passionate he was about this university and its football program. Foge had the unique ability to make everyone he came in contact with feel special. In so many ways he represented all the great things associated with the University of Pittsburgh.”

DAN HUTCHINS NAMED BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

       PITTSBURGH—Pitt junior placekicker and punter Dan Hutchins, whose field goal as time expired capped a dramatic 24-21 comeback victory for the Panthers over Connecticut this past Saturday, has been named the Big East Special Teams Player of the Week

       Hutchins (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township) accounted for a career-high 10 points, including the game-winning 18-yard field goal. He was perfect on each of his four placements, including 3-of-3 field goals and one extra-point attempt. His 42-yard field goal in the opening quarter gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead and marked a career long.

       Hutchins also contributed to the victory as Pitt’s punter, averaging 43 yards on three attempts. He had two punts downed inside the UConn 20, including one inside the 10.

       For the year, Hutchins has converted each of his seven field goal attempts and is Pitt’s second-leading scorer with 45 points. He is also averaging 41.5 yards per punt with 11 downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

       The Panthers, who are 5-1 overall and atop the Big East standings with a 2-0 conference mark, will travel to New Jersey to face Rutgers (4-1, 0-1) on Friday, Oct. 16. The game will be a national ESPN telecast and kick off at 8 p.m.

          9/5               Youngstown State

          9/12             @ Buffalo

          9/19             Navy

          9/26             @ NC State

          10/2 (Fri)       @ Louisville

          10/10            Connecticut

          10/16 (Fri) @ Rutgers

          10/24            South Florida

          11/7             Syracuse

          11/14            Notre Dame

          11/27 (Fri)     @ West Virginia

          12/5             Cincinnati

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