This decade’s series of the Backyard Brawl may be tied at 1-1, but even after a home victory last season, it is West Virginia with ground to cover in Saturday’s 107th edition of the rivalry.
West Virginia will travel to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh for 3:30 kickoff on Saturday. Last time the Mountaineers were there, they fell 38-31 to the Panthers, who ranked 17th in the nation as both teams played their first game of the 2022 season.
The Mountaineers won 17-6 at home last season against Pitt despite an injury to starting quarterback Garrett Greene. As WVU travels back to Pittsburgh, though, momentum remains in favor of the Panthers until West Virginia earns its revenge.
“First time back in Acrisure Stadium since the disappointment back in ’22. That’s still very fresh in our minds,” WVU head coach Neal Brown said Monday.
Pittsburgh’s win stung the Mountaineers’ momentum in the series, breaking a three-game WVU win streak from 2009 to 2011. Had it not been for a pivotal minute in the game, though, WVU’s energy may be at an all-time high entering this season.
Leading 31-24 with 3:54 remaining, West Virginia’s two-touchdown advantage in the fourth quarter was shot down, as Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis found running back Israel Abanikanda for a short throw. WVU fourth-year linebacker Jared Bartlett missed a tackle from in front of Abanikanda, giving the Panther an opening through the left side of the field to score on his first reception of the day.
30 seconds later, WVU’s JT Daniels threw to Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who, despite catching a game-high nine receptions, missed the open catch while standing in place. The ball bounced off Ford-Wheaton’s fingers and behind him to MJ Devonshire, who took the ball 56 yards down the field for the game-winning touchdown.
To that point, WVU seemed to thrive offensively just as much as Pittsburgh off the city’s all-time record attendance for any sporting event. The Mountaineers and Panthers entered the second half tied at 10, and WVU broke that tie, as CJ Donaldson rushed for a touchdown less than two minutes into the third quarter.
Much like the fourth quarter, Pitt’s two touchdowns in the third came as the clock wound down. Slovis found Jared Wayne for a 64-yard gain before Daniel Carter rushed one yard for the touchdown with 5:54 remaining. Slovis threw another short pass turned long run after the WVU turnover, finding Rodney Hammond Jr. to his right, who ran down the field for 49 yards and then again for 11 and a touchdown.
Pittsburgh’s ability to score late in the game despite West Virginia building up momentum and an advantage throughout the second half makes the loss memorable for the Mountaineers.
Donaldson Jr., safety Aubrey Burks, and defensive lineman Sean Martin stand out as the current Mountaineers with notable production in the 2022 matchup. Donaldson scored a touchdown in seven carries for 125 yards, standing out with a blocked punt leading to a Pitt turnover just before his five yard rushing touchdown. Martin and Burks tallied two and six tackles respectively.
West Virginia’s revenge trip to Acrisure Stadium will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. for a 3:30 kickoff.
Photo by Aaron Parker, Blue Gold Sports
