PITTSBURGH -- Pitt and Penn State spent the days leading up to the renewal of their once annual series in a semantic argument over whether theyre still rivals.The Nittany Lions tried to downplay the stakes, with coach James Franklin pointing out the current roster on both sides were toddlers the last time the two schools faced each other in 2000. The Panthers went the other way, with coach Pat Narduzzi bringing in the 1976 national championship team to give a pep talk on what facing Penn State used to -- and still could -- mean.Four quarters, nearly four hours and one well-timed interception by a fifth-year cornerback later, consider the debate over. Pitt-Penn State is still very much a thing.James Conner ran for 117 yards and a touchdown and caught another and senior Ryan Lewis picked off Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley in the end zone with just over a minute to play as the Panthers held on for a 42-39 victory on Saturday in front of the largest crowd to watch a sporting event in the citys history -- 69,983.I would say going to next year, theyre going to think its a rivalry now, said Pitt safety Jordan Whitehead.One that shouldnt lack for juice when the two teams meet at Beaver Stadium next fall. Penn State nearly made it all the way back from a 21-point deficit. The Nittany Lions had the ball at the Pitt 31 with less than 90 seconds to play when McSorley dropped back and lofted a rainbow toward the back of the end zone to no one in particularLewis, who spent four long years in the program before finally earning significant playing time this fall, cradled it in his arms for the first pick of his career.I was just reading the quarterback the whole time, Lewis. I saw it in the air and took it.And dealt Franklin another significant blow in a tenure that is still searching for traction. A year after losing on the road in Philadelphia to Temple -- next weeks opponent -- the Nittany Lions currently dont have bragging rights in any corner of the state after looking flat in the first half before getting back in it.The fact it was this close at the end of the game speaks volumes for us in the second half, Franklin said. But were going to have a hard time if we get ourselves into a 28-7 situation.Saquon Barkley almost singlehandedly brought the Nittany Lions (1-1) all the way back. The sophomore running back totaled five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving), the most by a Penn State player since Ki-Jana Carter did it against Michigan State in 1994. Barkleys fifth score, a 2-yard dive with five minutes to play, drew the Nittany Lions within three.We started off slow, they punched us in the mouth first, Barkley said. We responded but weve just got to come out earlier and be ready to play earlier.SO CLOSEMoments before Lewis interception, McSorley threw a lob to wide-open DaeSean Hamilton, who was behind the Pitt defense and had nothing between himself and the go-ahead score. The ball smacked off Hamiltons hands and onto the turf instead.For us to get that close and not pull out a win is really upsetting, Hamilton said. It just comes down to crunch time, us battling back so far and to see the game slip away from me right there is the hardest part.THE TAKEAWAYPENN STATE: Barkley is a star in the making but the Nittany Lions curiously didnt get him the ball when it was deep in Pitt territory trailing by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Penn State settled for a field goal instead and will have a year to think about what might have been.PITT: First-year offensive coordinator Matt Canadas playbook is deep. A week after using a nondescript game plan to get past Villanova, Canada used a variety of jet sweeps, shovel passes and play-action to get the ball to his playmakers in space. The Panthers ran for 359 yards and held onto the ball for more than 35 minutes.UP NEXTPENN STATE: Welcomes the Owls to State College in a rematch of Temples one-sided 27-10 win last year. Penn State plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Joe Paternos first game as coach, a decision that has been met with stiff resistance in some areas, including the schools student newspaper.PITT: The Panthers head west on Saturday to take on No. 22 Oklahoma State (1-1) for the first time in program history. The Cowboys lost on a last-second Hail Mary to Central Michigan.---AP College Football site: www.collegefootball.ap.orgFake Shoes Black Friday . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006. Discount Shoes Black Friday . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. 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Gareth Anscombe will start his first game at fly-half for Wales against Japan, and Sam Warburton will captain in a side that sees 10 changes from the team that defeated Argentina.Its an all-new front-row for Wales with Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee, who all started on the bench versus Argentina last weekend, called into the starting side.Cory Hill, who made his debut against Australia in the opening Under Armour Series encounter, packs down alongside Alun Wyn Jones, who will win his 104th cap for Wales, in the second-row. Warburton moves to openside flanker and is joined in the back-row by Ospreys duo Dan Lydiate and James King.Cardiff Blues duo Lloyd Williams and ?Anscombe partner at half-back, with the latter making his first start at fly-half for Wales. The experienced pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies ?line-up for a 46th time in the midfield together for their country.There is one personnel change in the back-three with Alex Cuthbert coming into the side for George North. Liam Williams starts at full-back with Leigh Halfpenny moving to the wing.We have made a number of changes but have named a very experienced side, said interim head coach Rob Howley.Continuity and momentum is important, hence keeping the likes of Alun Wyn, Jon Davies and Sam (Warburton) in the side, but it is also an opportunity for players who were disappointed against Australia to start and for players who have been pushing on selection.We have made a change with Liiam (Williams) moving to full-back and Leigh (Halfpenny) onto the wing.ddddddddddddLeigh has done well at full-back but we are giving an opportunity to Liam, its his favourable position, Leigh has played on the wing before they have trained well there and we want to have a look at what this option gives us.Japan are a much changed side from the Rugby World Cup but Jamie (Joseph) is developing his team and their recent performances echo the dangers of the RWC with their ability to move the ball wide early and they are a great counter attacking team. Its important we look at our game and are clinical in what we want to do this weekend.On the bench Cardiff Blues trio, Kristian Dacey, Rhys Gill and Scott Andrews provide the front-row cover with Jake Ball and Ross Moriarty completing the forward contingent. Gareth Davies and Sam Davies are joined by uncapped 18-year-old wing Keelan Giles. Giles will become the 11th youngest Wales international if he takes to the field on Saturday.?Wales team to face JapanLiam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, James King.Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Keelan Giles. ' ' '