Staff Report

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick announced Tuesday that the Herd and the University of Pittsburgh have signed a home-and-home contract that will see the Thundering Herd visit Pitt on Oct. 1, 2016, while the Panthers head to Huntington on Sept. 26, 2020.

Pitt plays its home games at Heinz Field, home of the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Panthers become the third Atlantic Coast Conference school to sign a home-and-home deal with Marshall. Louisville will return its 2011 home game against the Herd on Sept. 24, 2016, while NC State has signed to host Marshall on Sept. 9, 2017 and return the game on Sept. 22, 2018.

Hamrick also has renewed series with Ohio (home in 2019, away in 2020), East Carolina (away in 2020, home in 2021) and will begin a series with Navy (away in 2021, home in 2022).

“Since arriving here in 2009, my goal has been to bring quality nationally-recognized programs on a home-and-home basis to Huntington,” said Hamrick.

“The addition of Pitt is just another step in that process. Our Thundering Herd fans are loyal and deserve to see quality programs in Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Also, these games are regionally-based, which will allow our fans to travel to see Marshall play.”

Pitt began play in the ACC last season and defeated Bowling Green 30-27 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Panthers are 3-3 in 2014.

Marshall is off to a 5-0 start (1-0 Conference USA) this season and is 26th in the Amway USA Today Coaches Poll (98 points) and 27th in the Associated Press Poll with 78 points).

The Herd leads the nation in total offense (595.6 yards/game), yards per play (7.82), 30+ yard scrimmage plays (T-1st, 22) and blocked punts (T-1st, 2). In all, Marshall ranks in the top 25 nationally in 80 statistical categories.