Pitt And WVU Announce Return Of The Backyard Brawl
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - The University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University have announced the renewal of their long-time rivalry in The Backyard Brawl.
The two teams have agreed upon a four-year renewal beginning in 2022 with the Moutaineers coming to Heinz Field on Sept. 17, 2022.
The Backyard Brawl is coming back! Pitt and WVU to renew rivalry in 2022 #H2P: http://t.co/WmYGbYamet pic.twitter.com/kZyDE1kCgz
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 10, 2015
ESPecially Happy About This! pic.twitter.com/UZ66Pw7ShV
— Dana Holgorsen (@Holgorsendana) September 10, 2015
The game heads to Morgantown in 2023 on Sept. 16, back to Heinz Field in 2024 on Sept. 14 and things wrap up in West Virginia in 2025 on Sept. 13.
Pitt athletic director Scott Barnes released the following statement through a university press release.
"Pitt and West Virginia have a long and storied rivalry that dates back to the 19th century," Barnes said. "I've learned there is a lot of passion surrounding this game and we're pleased to be able to rekindle that history.
"We also continue to have productive conversations with Penn State," Barnes added. "Although Penn State's scheduling opportunities are limited in the early part of the 2020s, we are hopeful we will be able to expand upon our current four-year agreement that begins next year.
"An unfortunate byproduct of conference realignment has been the interruption of numerous traditional rivalries across the country. Everyone wins when two great series like Pitt-Penn State and Pitt-West Virginia are renewed, especially the student-athletes and fans of college football," he said.
As Barnes mentioned, the Pitt-Penn State rivalry is something they'll look to extend as well.
The Panthers and Nittany Lions have four games set between 2016 and 2019.
- Sept. 10, 2016 at Pittsburgh
- Sept. 9, 2017 at Penn State
- Sept. 8, 2018 at Pittsburgh
- Sept. 14, 2019 at Penn State