A Rivalry for the Ages

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In a thrilling announcement that has fans buzzing, West Virginia University’s Athletic Director Wren Baker confirmed that the legendary "Backyard Brawl" football rivalry with the University of Pittsburgh will see an exciting four-year extension, spanning from 2033 to 2036!

"It's always an amazing day when we can prolong one of college sports' most cherished rivalries," said Wren Baker. "A huge thank you to Pitt's Athletic Director Allan Greene for his collaboration in this endeavor. This is undoubtedly a victory not just for the fans of both universities, but for all college football enthusiasts!"

Game Dates Set for Future Showdowns

The new four-game series kicks off at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh in 2033, travels to Milan Puskar Stadium in 2034, returns to the Steel City in 2035, and culminates in Morgantown in 2036. Fans can expect intense action and nail-biting moments as these two powerhouses clash!

Rich Rodriguez, a former coach and enthusiastic supporter, stated, "This rivalry is one of the greatest in the sporting world. The proximity of the teams adds fuel to the fire, and the passion between the fanbases is palpable. For us at West Virginia, this game is circled on the calendar as the biggest event of the season!"

A Historic Rivalry Resurrected

The "Backyard Brawl" has a storied history, dating back to 1895, and was played continuously for 104 years until conference changes paused the rivalry in 2011 after a closely contested 21-20 victory for WVU. The series was rebooted in 2022 with a thrilling matchup at Heinz Field, reigniting the fierce competition that both teams are known for.

The rivalry intensified as West Virginia and Pitt, both former Big East titans, became dominant forces in their respective conferences: WVU in the Big 12 and Pitt in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Historically, Pitt leads the series 63-41-3, but WVU has been making a comeback, with a record of 26-22-2 over the last 50 matchups since 1965.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Matchups!

Here are the exciting future series dates for the Backyard Brawl:

- September 8, 2029 at Pitt

- September 7, 2030 at West Virginia

- September 6, 2031 at Pitt

- September 11, 2032 at West Virginia

- September 10, 2033 at Pitt

- September 9, 2034 at West Virginia

- September 8, 2035 at Pitt

- September 13, 2036 at West Virginia

Get ready for jaw-dropping plays, electrifying atmospheres, and an unforgettable display of college football passion!