PITTSBURGH — Friday night football is becoming a regular occurrence on Pitt's schedule.

Pitt will play nine of its 12 games next season against bowl teams, with Notre Dame's first game in Pittsburgh in four years and three Friday road games included in the Panthers' schedule.

The annual Backyard Brawl rivalry game against West Virginia will be played on the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, in Morgantown — a week before Pitt closes the season Dec. 5 at home against Cincinnati.

The Panthers open their fifth season under coach Dave Wannstedt Sept. 5 against Youngstown State and will play two home games each in September, October and November, plus the Cincinnati game in December.

At least five games will be nationally televised by networks or an ESPN channel, including Friday games at Louisville Oct. 2, Rutgers Oct. 16 and West Virginia.

Pitt will play its first game against North Carolina State in 21 years Sept. 26 in Raleigh.

Times have not yet been announced. The Youngstown State opener is likely to be an afternoon game because the Pirates play at home that night; the Sept. 19 home game against Navy is expected to be a night game because the Pirates play an afternoon game that day.

The Pitt schedule:

• Sept. 5, Youngstown State; Sept. 12, at Buffalo; Sept. 19, Navy; Sept. 26, at North Carolina State.

• Oct. 2, at Louisville; Oct. 10, Connecticut; Oct. 16, at Rutgers; Oct. 24, South Florida; Oct. 31, open.

• Nov. 7, Syracuse; Nov. 14, Notre Dame; Nov. 21, open; Nov. 27, at West Virginia.

• Dec. 5, Cincinnati.