Holgorsen, Narduzzi Exchange Remarks Amid Backyard Brawl Drought
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - It's been four years since the Backyard Brawl was last played, and some fans seem to itch more and more for a renewal of the annual rivalry.
Fans aren't the only ones who have voiced their wishes, or lack thereof, for a 104th Backyard Brawl, but coaches and athletic directors have been vocal, as well.
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen has certainly been vocal. According to a new report, he is "begging" for Pitt to agree to play.
Last week, ESPN's Brett McMurphy asked Holgorsen where his staff and West Virginia's athletics department stand when the topic of the Brawl arises. McMurphy tweeted his response.
Dana Holgorsen on Pitt: "We're begging 'em to play. They chose to play Okla. State instead. It makes no sense why it's not being played"
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) July 22, 2015
McMurphy today asked Pat Narduzzi if he had a reply to Holgorsen's comments, and the rookie Pitt coach responded in three words.
Pat Narduzzi responding to Dana Holgorsen's "we're begging to play Pitt" comment: "I never beg"
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) July 28, 2015
For years it has appeared as though Pitt's athletics department has made an effort to distance itself from WVU. Pitt is scheduled to host Penn State for the first of a four-game series beginning in 2016. West Virginia generally plays three non-conference games per year, while Pitt plays four. In recent years, Pitt has announced home-and-home series with Oklahoma State , Notre Dame, Marshall, Penn State and Tennessee.
And by Post-Gazette reporter Sam Werner's count, Pitt has plenty of scheduling room in its foreseeable future.
And since the #WVU game came up this morning, here's a handy chart of #Pitt's future non-con (& ACC crossover) games: pic.twitter.com/kuBw5lnYQQ
— Sam Werner (@SWernerPG) April 22, 2015