Anticipation Builds on Both Sides for Brawl Between WVU, Pitt Football
PITTSBURGH -- The return of The Backyard Brawl has generated national attention. ESPN is sending College Gameday to host a special, on-location pregame show and will broadcast the game nationally in primetime. But When the Pitt Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers meet on the gridiron, the hype does not need to be manufactured. Storylines are superfluous - the hate that already exists between these two teams is a phenomenon in and of itself.
Players and coaches from both teams have had to brush up on the history of the rivalry, which will be played for the first time since 2011 during this season's week one matchup at newly-renamed Acrisure Stadium. Pitt starting left tackle, Carter Warren said that he's talked to some veterans of the rivalry and, among descriptions of the game itself, heard stories of how the fans create a contentious environment. He's curious about how the existing animosity will actually manifest itself on gameday.
'The Backyard Brawl dates back to years ago, before my time,' Warren said last Thursday. 'It's got a huge history behind it. I'm excited. All the trash-talking I'm hearing. I hear about fans throwing beer bottles at the bus coming in. I'm curious to see, man. I'm very excited when the game comes.'
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi said that there's 'a lot of excitement' for the return of the Backyard Brawl in Pittsburgh, but the hype has certainly not been contained to Western Pennsylvania. This game means just as much to Mountaineers as it does to Panthers.
'I think it’s a great kickoff for college football,' West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said last week. 'We’re not playing on so-called ‘week zero,’ but we’re the premier Power 5 game vs. a Power 5 opponent on Thursday night, and our guys are excited.'
Brown, who is entering his fourth season at the helm, said he too has tapped the memories of former players and coaches who have experienced it for firsthand accounts.
'The Backyard Brawl, it's going to be my first one, and it's been fun for me learning the history of that and where the real passion lies within our fan base and talking to our former players,' he said last week at Big 12 media days.
Mountaineer corner Charles Woods echoed that sentiment, adding that his offseason has featured a crash course on Brawls of yesteryear.
'I didn't [understand] at first but, going through the offseason, you find out quick how big it is,' Woods said. 'Just having interactions with fans, they'll tell you how big the rivalry is.'
Brown said that defensive analyst Jeff Casteel, who is entering his 17th season as a Mountaineer assistant coach, has acted as a pseudo team historian and educated Brown on the depth and intensity of the Backyard Brawl.
"Jeff Casteel is on our staff as an analyst and he's been great - really kind of a historian for me in teaching us about that game," Brown said.
The Panthers and Mountaineers will play the eight-game series in two installments, with the first four games coming in successive years from 2022-25 and take a four-year hiatus before resuming in 2029 and running through 2032. But Brown hopes that it continues long after that eighth game.
'Our fan base is extremely passionate about that game, and so it’s a game that I would be in favor of playing each year,' Brown said at Big 12 media days. 'Shane Lyons, our athletic director, he asked me about the continuation of the series, which we’ll do later in the decade, and I was for it. It’s really important for us to play regional rivalries.'
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!
Pitt Football DL Calijah Kancey Lands on Nagurski Watch List
Pitt Football's Calijah Kancey, Carter Warren Named to Outland Trophy Watch List
Pitt Football HC Pat Narduzzi No Fan of New ACC Scheduling
Pitt Football HC Pat Narduzzi's Media Day Comments Par for Course
Pitt Football S Brandon Hill Makes Thorpe Award Watch List
Pitt F Guillermo Diaz-Graham Wins FIBA U20 Title
Pitt Football Adds Commitment from 2023 OL B.J. Williams
Pitt Football TE Gavin Bartholomew Named To Mackey Award Watchlist
Pitt Football HC Pat Narduzzi Calls For Stricter Anti-Tampering Rules
- Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt
