PITTSBURGH -- The history of the 123-year-old rivalry between Pittsburgh and Penn State is undeniable. Trying to convey decades of antagonism to players who were in preschool the last time the Nittany Lions and Panthers shared a football field is another matter.Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi made it a point in the run-up to Saturdays renewal after a 15-year hiatus to give his kids a crash course, one that happened to coincide with a rare media blackout that Narduzzi described as necessary to make sure the Panthers didnt get caught up in any distractions before arguably the programs most notable nonconference game since Sept. 16, 2000, when Pitt handed Penn State and coach Joe Paterno a 12-0 loss.I know when I first got into a major rivalry, I didnt get it the first year, Narduzzi said. I got it the second year. I want to make sure they dont do the same. Its my job to make sure they embrace it and understand what its all about.Penn State coach James Franklin took a slightly different tack. While it may take some convincing for some of the Nittany Lions to get just how big a deal this is within the state, there are sizable number of players on both sides who call Pennsylvania home -- some of whom were wooed by both schools -- that wont need a reminder.So we just want to make sure we have our composure and we have our poise and we go out and play as hard as we can and execute, Franklin said. I want them to play with passion, with emotion, but right up to the edge without having any issues.While its unclear just how heated things will get on the turf at Heinz Field, city officials and the top administrators at each school took precautions to make sure the action stays between the lines.University of Pittsburgh police planned to scour residential neighborhoods around the campus in search of upholstered furniture left outside -- the kind that can sometimes turn into kindling in celebration (or defeat) -- and have anything that could serve as fuel for a pretty good bonfire removed. Pitt chancellor Patrick Gallagher and Penn State president Eric Barron issued a joint statement encouraging what could be a record crowd at Heinz Field to make wise choices.Both teams come in 1-0 after less than spectacular debuts against lesser opponents, perhaps because they were looking ahead. That wont be an issue this time around. The winner gets in-state bragging rights for a least 52 weeks and a very sizable chip to play in the living rooms of in-state recruits.Some things to look for as one of college footballs longest-standing showdowns begins an intriguing renewal:UP TO SPEEDThe Nittany Lions are looking to push the pace behind mobile sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley. That didnt exactly happen last Saturday against Kent State. Penn State managed just 354 yards of total offense and ran just 54 plays, numbers that Franklin expects to go up as the season progresses.I think whenever you can speed up the tempo, thats a good thing, Franklin said. We want to be able to do both of those things. We want to be able to check with me on the sideline to get in the right play and we want to have plays where we can get up and just snap the ball that are plays that have an opportunity to be successful versus multiple defensive fronts and multiple coverages.JAMES BEING JAMESPitt junior running back James Conners return from a bout with cancer included a pair of touchdowns against Villanova but also a pedestrian 3.1 yards per carry, something Narduzzi attributed to the 2014 ACC Player of the Year too often searching for a big play when getting a handful of yards at a time will do. Expect that to change as Conner brushes the rust off.CLUTCH KICKERIf things are close late, the Nittany Lions have an advantage in the kicking game. Tyler Davis is 24 for 24 on field goals in his career while Pitts Chris Blewitt missed a pair of kicks in a 28-7 victory over Villanova last week. Davis understands the usually tricky conditions at Heinz Field -- where the wind can swirl unpredictably -- but pointed to his time kicking over the summer in his hometown of Chicago as pretty good practice for what awaits on Saturday.---Freelance writer Travis Johnson in State College, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.---AP college football site: www.collegefootball.ap.orgJamaal Wilkes Lakers Jersey . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Derek Fisher Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Kobe-Bryant-Jersey/ . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Nick Van Exel Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Byron Scott Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup.BALTIMORE -- The Boston Red Sox sit comfortably atop the American League East and can further distance themselves from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.Boston dominated the first two matchups of the crucial four-game series, outscoring Baltimore 10-4. The Red Sox lead the fading Orioles by five games, and another victory will likely shift Baltimores focus solely on retaining one of the two wild-card berths.I think there is growing confidence in our clubhouse daily, Red Sox manager John Farrell said. Weve responded to a number of challenges, whether its on the road or coming from behind to win ball games in the division. Those are key. When you succeed in those, thats a snowball effect that takes place. To balance that out, no one is taking any of that for granted.Clay Buchholz (7-10, 5.20 ERA) tries to lead the Red Sox to their seventh straight victory. The right-hander was dominant in his last outing against the Yankees, when he picked up the win after allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.The Orioles turn to Ubaldo Jimenez (7-11, 5.94 ERA) to gain some much-needed momentum. He has surprisingly been one of Baltimores best pitchers over the past month. Jimenez was put in the rotation when Chris Tillman went on the disabled list Aug. 24. From there, Jimenez has thrived and helped the playoff push.In his last outing, Jimenez gave the Orioles bullpen a rest by throwing seven innings in a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Jimenez has struggled against the Red Sox, going 2-5 with a 7.39 ERA in 13 starts.While Baltimore manager Buck Showalter deeclined to describe any game as a must win, his team sorely needs a victory.ddddddddddddWe know how many opportunities there are and theres still an opportunity for us, Showalter said. They are a good team, like all the teams are at this level, but especially a team having as good of a year as they are. Its one thing to want to do it, as much as our guys want to, but you get a couple pitching performances against us like weve had the last two nights its a challenge.The biggest challenge for Jimenez will be containing Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who has pounded Orioles pitching this season. Betts has hit safely in all eight games at Camden Yards, batting .561 with eight home runs and 15 RBI over that span.David Ortiz also dominated the Orioles pitching staff. On Tuesday, Ortiz got his 36th home run, a three-run shot in the seventh inning, that proved to be the decisive blow in the 5-2 victory.This was really huge, Bradley said. We faced a really good team in Baltimore. To get two wins right away is very vital for us. I think it will help us keep building on our momentum and finish strong.The 36 homers by Ortiz are the most by any player in his final season, one ahead of Dave Kingman in 1986. Ortiz has six home runs in his past nine games at Camden Yards.Ill try to hit a couple more so nobody can reach me, Ortiz said. Its just a number, man. Im just trying to help this ballclub. I dont care about personal numbers. I care about winning. ' ' '
