The Pitt athletic department announced its 2009 schedule yesterday, and it is clear the Panthers' success last year has lead to more exposure this year.

The Panthers, who will play seven of their 12 games at Heinz Field, have five games already scheduled for national television broadcasts, including three games which will be played on Fridays.

Pitt will play nine teams which played in bowl games last year and its home slate is highlighted by a visit from Notre Dame Nov. 14.

"Last year's success has made us a very hungry football team," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement released by the athletic department yesterday.

"We took a big step last year and our program is working very hard to build off that momentum. Each offseason we display the upcoming schedule in our weight room. Seeing nine bowl teams on the wall should provide us with excellent motivation all the way through fall training camp."

Along with the Notre Dame game, the Backyard Brawl at West Virginia, which will be played the day after Thanksgiving again (Nov. 27), will be an ABC or ESPN national telecast. Pitt will also make Friday visits to Louisville (Oct. 2, ESPN2) and Rutgers (Oct. 16, ESPN).

In addition, Pitt's regular-season finale against Cincinnati will be played on "Championship Saturday" (Dec. 5) and is scheduled to be a national broadcast on one of the ESPN/ABC networks as well.

Beyond the television games, the Panthers will play host to Youngstown State (Sept. 5), Navy (Sept. 19), Connecticut (Oct. 10), South Florida (Oct. 24) and Syracuse (Nov. 7). Pitt will also travel to Buffalo (Sept. 12) and North Carolina State (Sept. 26).

The Mountaineers' schedule includes a nationally televised home game against Colorado (Oct. 1, ESPN) and a road game at Auburn. The Mountaineers will play seven home games, which includes the Sept. 5 season opener against Liberty.

Other home games are East Carolina Sept. 12, Marshall Oct. 17, Connecticut Oct. 24 and Louisville Nov. 7. The Mountaineers will face Auburn Sept. 19. Other road games are Syracuse Oct. 10, South Florida Oct. 30, Cincinnati Nov. 13 and Rutgers Dec. 5.