Pittsburgh, Syracuse Switch Football Date

The University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University have switched their Oct. 29 football game to Dec. 3 so it can be televised nationally on ESPN.

The change means Pitt will play its final three games on the road against Penn State on Nov. 12, North Carolina on Nov. 19 and Syracuse.

Pitt Athletic Director Ed Bozik said the Syracuse game, which will be played after bowl bids are extended, should not adversely affect the Panthers if they are in line for a postseason bowl. Pitt and Syracuse will receive $290,000 each for the telecast, he said.

The game will be part of a doubleheader along with Miami and an unnamed opponent, said ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys.

Pitt also has moved its Sept. 10 opener against Northern Iowa to Sept. 3, Bozik said. That will allow Pitt players to have a week off before their Sept. 17 home game against Ohio State.