Pitt will play Navy in the Military Bowl, Chris Peak on why the Panthers got passed over for better bowls. Perception that Pitt does not travel well or even attend home games hurts them in this process.
From Pitt PR-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 this afternoon from the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman and will play Navy of the American Athletic Conference in Annapolis, Md. The ESPN nationally televised game, which benefits the USO, will be played in Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Monday, Dec. 28, and kick off at 2:30 p.m. (ET).
“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 Atlantic Coast Conference, 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 this Saturday against Army.
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.