ATLANTA — The 60-year-old man hustled past Pitt fans congregated in large numbers in the lobby of the Omni Hotel on Thursday morning. No time for anything but his appointed destination.

With his signature long strides, a quick wave and an I’m-in-a-hurry look, it was easy to identify Pitt’s interim offensive coordinator, Tim Salem — probably headed to a coaches’ meeting, seven hours before kickoff of the Peach Bowl. They don’t call him Turbo Tim because of the car he drives.

Averting the covid-19 spread that has plagued college basketball, the NBA, NHL and other bowls over the holiday break — although none of the New Year’s Six games — No.12 Pitt played No. 10 Michigan State in the Panthers’ first major bowl appearance in 17 years Thursday night.

The pandemic is re-attaching itself to people everywhere — Atlanta has not been immune — but that didn’t stop many fans of both teams from enjoying themselves. Every once in a while, someone would shout, “Hail To Pitt” and “Go Green”

That group included Nick Weltz and Julia Feldman, who were saving their shouting for after kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The couple planned to visit Nick’s family in Orlando, Fla., over the holidays, but that visit was called off when Pitt football intervened. The Panthers won the ACC championship and earned a trip to the Peach Bowl.

“Nick said, ‘If Pitt goes to the Peach Bowl, we’re going to Atlanta instead,’ ” Feldman said. “We returned the tickets, got a new flight.”

Nick’s family simply joined the couple in Atlanta.

Of course, it was an easy decision for Weltz, a Pitt graduate, and Feldman, a Pitt student. Weltz’s grandfather, grandmother, mother, father, aunts and uncles went to Pitt.

Nick said, “I was told by my parents explicitly, ‘You’re not even allowed to apply to Penn State.’ “

Before the game, the couple visited the College Football Hall of Fame, a few blocks from the stadium. They were excited for the game but also realistic that the season has been fun — win or lose the last game.

“In general, I feel like it doesn’t really matter if we win or lose,” Weltz said. “It will be exciting to see what quality (quarterback Nick) Patti is, especially with (Jordan) Addison as wide receiver. I’m just happy we had such a good season, and it’s great to celebrate it.”

Patti, a backup slince 2018, was tapped to replace Kenny Pickett, who opted out of the game.

Meanwhile, downtown Atlanta, its bars and restaurants became a haven — hopefully, safe — for Pitt and Michigan State fans (some wearing masks, some not).

There were a few cancellations, but the good news is that they were not related to covid. The Peach Bowl Parade and Team Walks were canceled Thursday morning because of rainy weather. It rained so hard Wednesday night that sewers backed up on some downtown streets, sending torrents of water rushing down sidewalks.

The rain slowed down two hours before kickoff, giving hope that stadium officials could leave it open for the duration of the game.

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