Seventy-five miles. That is all that separates Morgantown from Pittsburgh. It's a straight shot up I-79, a drive that should take about an hour and fifteen minutes if you aren't stuck behind a coal truck or dealing with PA-side construction. But for fans of the Mountaineers and the Panthers, that stretch of pavement feels like a demilitarized zone.
Honestly, the West Virginia vs Pitt rivalry—better known as the Backyard Brawl—is one of those rare things in modern sports that hasn't been watered down by corporate branding or polite "good game" handshakes. It is raw. It is loud. And if we’re being real, it’s usually pretty mean.
The 2025 Backyard Brawl: A Modern Classic
If you missed the most recent meeting on September 13, 2025, you missed a game that basically encapsulated why this rivalry matters. The Mountaineers walked away with a 31-24 overtime win in front of a screaming, sellout crowd of over 62,000 at Milan Puskar Stadium.
It looked bleak for West Virginia. They were down by 10 points with less than ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. Then Nicco Marchiol happened. Marchiol, showing the kind of grit that Morgantown fans live for, orchestrated two late scoring drives to force the extra period. Tye Edwards finished it off with his third touchdown of the day in overtime.
The scene afterward? Pure chaos. Couch fires (though discouraged) and the "Sweet Caroline" remix that Pitt fans absolutely hate.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi was visibly frustrated after the game, especially since the Panthers had seemingly taken control earlier with a pair of interceptions. But that's the thing about West Virginia vs Pitt. No lead is safe. No momentum is permanent.
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Why the Hate Is Different Here
Most rivalries are built on "we're better than you." This one is built on "we are nothing like you."
Pitt is the big-city school, the "academic" institution nestled in the heart of Oakland, surrounded by museums and hospitals. West Virginia is the land-grant university, the heart and soul of an entire state that often feels overlooked by the rest of the country.
The cultural divide is massive.
- Pitt fans often look down on WVU as "rural."
- West Virginia fans view Pitt as "arrogant" and "soulless."
It’s the "Garbage Game" mindset. Back in 1961, a Pitt player allegedly called the Mountaineers "Western Pennsylvania garbage." WVU responded by winning 20-6, and they haven't forgotten the insult in 65 years. People in the Appalachian hills have long memories.
The Numbers You Actually Care About
Pitt leads the all-time series 63-42-3. That sounds dominant until you realize how much the tides have shifted in the last few decades. Before the series took a hiatus in 2011 due to conference realignment, WVU had won seven of the last ten. Since the Brawl returned in 2022, the series has been a coin flip.
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| Year | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | West Virginia | 31-24 (OT) | Morgantown |
| 2024 | Pitt | 38-34 | Pittsburgh |
| 2023 | West Virginia | 17-6 | Morgantown |
| 2022 | Pitt | 38-31 | Pittsburgh |
The 2024 game was particularly painful for the Mountaineers, as they blew a 10-point lead in the final minutes at Acrisure Stadium. It’s a seesaw.
Historic Moments That Still Sting
You can't talk about West Virginia vs Pitt without mentioning 2007. It is the single most infamous game in the history of the series.
West Virginia was ranked No. 2 in the country. They were a 28-point favorite. All they had to do was beat a 4-7 Pitt team at home to go to the National Championship. Instead, the Panthers played the ultimate spoiler, winning 13-9. It was a defensive slugfest that broke the hearts of every person in the state of West Virginia.
Rich Rodriguez—who, in a wild twist of fate, is now back coaching the Mountaineers in 2026—left for Michigan shortly after that loss. Fans still talk about that night in hushed, angry tones.
Then there’s 1970. Bobby Bowden was the coach at WVU. His team led 35-8 at halftime. They lost 36-35. Bowden later called it the "darkest day" of his coaching career. If a legendary coach like Bobby Bowden can be rattled by the Brawl, you know it's serious.
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Looking Ahead: The Future of the Brawl
The good news for fans of hate-filled football is that the Backyard Brawl isn't going anywhere. In late 2025, officials from both schools announced a massive extension to the series.
We already knew they were playing from 2029 to 2032. Now, they’ve added another four years through 2036.
- Sept 8, 2029: At Pitt
- Sept 7, 2030: At West Virginia
- Sept 6, 2031: At Pitt
- Sept 11, 2032: At West Virginia
- Sept 10, 2033: At Pitt
There is a gap between now and 2029 where the teams won't meet, which is a bummer. But the long-term security of the game is a win for college football.
The Takeaway for Fans
If you're heading to one of these games in the future, be prepared. Wear your colors, but don't expect a warm welcome from the other side.
The Backyard Brawl is more than a game. It's a 131-year-old argument that happens to be played on a grass field. Whether it's wrestling (where Pitt recently edged out WVU 17-15) or football, the stakes are always personal.
For the most up-to-date ticket information for the 2029 renewal, keep an eye on the official athletic sites for both WVU Sports and Pitt Panthers. If you're planning to travel for the next decade of games, start looking at hotel availability in Morgantown or the North Shore of Pittsburgh at least six months in advance; these games sell out faster than almost anything else on the schedule.