PITTSBURGH — The Pitt-Penn State football series, which resumes with a four-game set Sept. 10 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, will be known at the Keystone Classic presented by Peoples Gas.

“We are extremely excited about renewing this great series and grateful to have Peoples Gas on board as a presenting sponsor,” Scott Barnes, Pitt’s Athletics Director said. “The Pitt-Penn State matchup will serve as a marquee game of the early football season. This has been a great collaboration by the two institutions both in scheduling the game and securing a corporate partner.”

Kickoff for the Sept. 10 game is at Noon, and the game will be aired on either ABC or ESPN. The two teams will also meet Sept. 9, 2017, at Penn State and will continue the four-game series in 2018 and 2019.

“We are appreciative of Peoples Natural Gas Supporting the Keystone Classic,” Sandy Barbour, Penn State’s Athletics Director, said. “We are looking forward to the next four years.”

Pitt media rights holder IMG and Penn State media rights holder Learfield worked closely together to secure People’s Gas as the presenting sponsor of the series. The partnership includes Peoples Gas’ corporate mark embedded in the series logo as well as various branding, social media, activation and community assets. In addition, both schools are working with their licensing partner, CLC, on creating a line of merchandise featuring the Keystone Classic logo.

“Peoples is proud to support this event that celebrates two universities that add so much to Pennsylvania,” said Morgan O’Brien, CEO of Peoples Natural Gas. “The Keystone Classic will attract tens of thousands of visitors to our area to patronize restaurants, shops and hotels. And, it recognizes the proud traditions of Pitt and Penn State, whose alumni contribute greatly to our region’s workforce. So, I gladly welcome back and look forward to this annual football game!”

The Sept. 10 game will mark the first time in nearly 16 years the once long-time rivals will square off. The teams last played Sept. 16, 2000, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh with Pitt coming out on top 12-0.

It will be the 97th meeting between the Pennsylvania schools with Penn State holding a 50-42-4 series edge. The first meeting was in 1893, and the teams played very season from 1900-31 and again from 1935-92 with many of the games coming in the final game of the regular season. The teams didn’t play from 1993-96 after Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference but resumed play with a four-game series from 1997-2000 with Penn State taking three of those four contests.

The 2016 game will be the second game of the season for both teams. Pitt opens play Sept. 3 when it hosts Villanova, while Penn State begins play the same day when it entertains Kent State.

Pitt-Penn State Series in Brief
Began: 1893
Series Record: Penn State leads, 50-42-4
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads, 34-28-4
At Penn State: Penn State leads, 17-6
Neutral: Penn State leads: 5-2
Last Game: Pitt won, 12-0 (played at Three Rivers Stadium Sept. 16, 2000)
em>Last Penn State Win: Sept. 11, 1999, 20-17 (played at Beaver Stadium)