Redshirt Senior Nick Malone has seen the ins and outs of West Virginia’s football program not only as a former walk-on and player entering his sixth year with the program but as a Morgantown native.
Malone redshirted in 2019 and has added depth to the Mountaineers’ offensive line over the past few seasons. He was awarded a scholarship in November of 2022; during the same season, he won the Tommy Nickolich Award winner, signifying WVU’s most outstanding walk-on.
With the Backyard Brawl upcoming this week, Malone was asked what the game and rivalry meant to him.
“This is big, especially growing up in Morgantown and being in my early days verbally committed to Pitt,” Malone said. “Being where I’m at now it’s a surreal moment. And I think God’s timing is perfect and I’m here where I’m supposed to be.”
Before enrolling at WVU as a walk-on, Malone was committed to Pitt for several months. Now, Malone finds himself as the starting right tackle for the Mountaineers.
Malone doesn’t remember watching the Backyard Brawl as a kid, saying he was “probably out on the field playing tackle football.” When he was older, the two programs didn’t play from 2012 to 2021. When asked if he remembers any Backyard Brawl, he said last year’s game because WVU won and he was a part of it.
“Last year. Big win,” Malone said. “For being a real part of it, that was a memory.”
However, despite his background, Malone doesn’t feel total hostility towards Pitt, but recognizes the rivalry and collective despise of the Panther.
“I think it’s the collective of West Virginia hates Pitt,” Malone said. “We don’t like each other is what you could say.”
West Virginia will be on the road Saturday for the 107th all-time meeting between the two teams. The game will be televised on ESPN2, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. EST.
