The dying Penn State-Pittsburgh football series is receiving a breath of life.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno said his school is negotiating with Pitt to continue the 99-year-old rivalry that ends, at least temporarily, next season."We're trying to establish some games . . . we're looking to try and play some games in the latter part of the 1990s," Paterno said in Pittsburgh, where he visited a local sports medicine clinic.

Pitt spokesman Larry Eldridge Jr. said Tuesday he had heard talks were being held but added, "Nothing I heard was near final."

Paterno said the discussions went on hold two weeks ago when Pitt athletic director Oval Jaynes underwent heart bypass surgery. Jaynes is expected to be away from his desk for six weeks while he recuperates, the school said.

The Pitt-Penn State series began in 1893. The schools played two games in the 1800s, followed by 32 straight annual games at the beginning of the century. There was a three-season break in the 1930s, but since 1935, the schools played every year.

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Penn State leads the series 46-41, with four ties. The last scheduled game will be played Nov. 21 in State College.

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