:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52139469/Screen_Shot_2016_12_04_at_3.51.16_PM.0.png)
Northwestern players, coaches and alumni took to Twitter to express their excitement after it was announced that the Wildcats are headed to New York to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Dec. 28 in Yankee Stadium.
The official New Era Pinstripe Bowl Twitter account sent out the announcement early in the afternoon:
OFFICIAL: We are excited to announce @NUFBFAMILY and @Pitt_FB will play in the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl! pic.twitter.com/2Yv6xTompX
— NewEraPinstripeBowl (@PinstripeBowl) December 4, 2016
Minutes later, the official Northwestern football account tweeted out their own statement with a pre-prepared hype video attached:
It's official! We are bowlin' in the Bronx.
— #B1GCats Football (@NUFBFamily) December 4, 2016
The #B1GCats will play Pitt in the @PinstripeBowl on Dec. 28. https://t.co/RHN3aCO79n
Had to update the avatar. Ya dig, @PinstripeBowl? #B1GCats
— #B1GCats Football (@NUFBFamily) December 4, 2016
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi broadcasted his excitement with a video of his own:
Heading to the Big Apple!! #H2P pic.twitter.com/rnyCxByjth
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 4, 2016
The prospect of Christmas in the Big Apple has some Northwestern players excited, as well:
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr.:
New York For Christmas https://t.co/orV3U8i6Xs
— Anthony Walker Jr. (@__AWalkJr) December 4, 2016
Safety Kyle Queiro:
Going back home. Let's go. https://t.co/lWO9VvvJv7
— Kyle Queiro (@Kyles_Style) December 4, 2016
Linebacker Joe Jones:
#ScarletteElise 1st Christmas will be in New York! https://t.co/mqgVdL5Dja
— Joe Jones (@FamilyMan_Joe42) December 4, 2016
Wide receiver Andrew Scanlan:
I have the opportunity to end my college career in Yankee Stadium vs Pitt. You can't write it any better. #StartSpreadingTheNews
— Andrew Scanlan (@Scan_man7) December 4, 2016
It seems @Scan_man7 is excited about our selection to the @PinstripeBowl. He had to rep the @Yankees after hearing the news. #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/lAApkmgKnr
— #B1GCats Football (@NUFBFamily) December 4, 2016
Wide receiver Flynn Nagel:
Christmas with the Boys https://t.co/bnEO8M3IXs
— Flynn Nagel (@All_I_DoIsFLYNN) December 4, 2016
Running back Corey Acker:
Come one come all the cats need your support at yankee stadium on December 28th https://t.co/kfRcsYgY8a
— Cacker (@Cacker22) December 4, 2016
And of course there’s no shortage of notable NU alumni who are excited to take on The Big Apple.
Start spreading the news... https://t.co/W5gMZxJmZD
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) December 4, 2016
Easiest trip to any Northwestern game I've ever had. Can't wait. https://t.co/lJfXp9viFf
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 4, 2016
YEAHHHHHH NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL IS COMING TO THE PLACE WHERE I LIVE THAT'S SO COST EFFECTIVE https://t.co/ounqPHcRV9
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) December 4, 2016
As Mark Herrmann pointed out, Northwestern has a little-known connection to Yankee Stadium, as well:
George Steinbrenner once was an asst football coach at Northwestern, which will play at Yankee Stadium in Pinstripe Bowl Dec 28.
— Mark Herrmann (@markpherrmann) December 4, 2016
Pat Fitzgerald on BTN earlier today to discuss the matchup with Pitt and the significance of playing in the Bronx:
.@NUFBFamily is in the Bronx, and @coachfitz51 is looking forward to the challenge the Pinstripe Bowl poses. https://t.co/A294K9voMm
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) December 4, 2016
And while a lot of people are already writing in Pitt as the victor, Pitt football recruiting reminds the Panther faithful to slow their roll:
Hot take on the Pinstripe Bowl:
— Pitt FB Recruiting (@PittRecruiting) December 5, 2016
Don't sleep on Northwestern, they put up 54 against Michigan State - Narduzzi's defense is still used there