Once Again, Pitt Failed to Fill Stadium for the Backyard Brawl

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The Backyard Brawl was announced as a sellout just a couple of days prior to kickoff, marking the first time since WVU last visited the Panthers in 2022 that they were able to accomplish that feat. While the tickets may have sold, the fans certainly didn't show up. Shocking, right?
Pitt is notorious for having an empty stadium for home games, but this is the Backyard Brawl. How do folks not show up? Don't believe me? Check out this shot of the stadium we have from the press box with 12:48 to go in the first quarter. And no, that's not a bunch of fans wearing gold. Those are seats.

Here are a couple more shots of the empty seats from fans on Twitter (X).
Love that Pitt gave out yellow shirts for The Backyard Brawl. This is what college football is all about. pic.twitter.com/RYTp1cb2jP
— Dear Old State (@_DearOldState) September 14, 2024
Sell out? @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/MpVvJSardl
— WVU DOOD (@WVUDOOD) September 14, 2024
If Pitt fans happen to stumble across this article, no, that is not "West Virginia's side," at least it shouldn't be. If you have an entire side of the stadium dedicated to the opposing team's fanbase, then you have an issue. At Milan Puskar Stadium, the away team gets one tiny section in the corner of the end zone. Sure, there will be some fans sprinkled in here and there from the away team, but not many.
West Virginia didn't need the help of Pitt fans to pack the stadium for the Brawl last year, as seen below. That place was filled to the brim of folks in the Old Gold and Blue.

Come on, Pitt. It's the Backyard Brawl for crying out loud. Be better.
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Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.
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