Photo Gallery: West Virginia Beats Pitt in the Backyard Brawl

The West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1) came back from a 10-point deficit to knock off the Pitt Panthers (2-1) in overtime on Saturday 31-24.

West Virginia University mascot Cade Kincaid | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University Bandit Curtis Jones Jr. sacks and forces the fumble on Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein on the first play from scrimmage. | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University Bandit Braden Siders | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University linebacker Reid Carrico | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University defensive back Jason Chambers wraps up to limit Pitt receiver Cataurus Hicks for a yard. | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University quarterback Nicco Marchiol | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

QB NICCO MARCHIOL

- Threw one touchdown and finished 19-for-25 for 192 yards passing.

- Returned to the game after sitting out in the second half and led a 2:36 drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

- Then facilitated an eight-play drive in overtime to win the game

West Virginia University receiver Rodney Gallagher III | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University football 2025 — West Virginia University football vs. Pitt 2025 | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University linebacker Ben Cutter | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

LB BEN CUTTER

- Co-led the defense with eight tackles, including three solo stops

- Also added a tackle for loss, his first solo TFL this season

West Virginia University defensive back Darrian Lewis and safety Fred Perry tackle Pitt running back Desmond Reid. | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

DB DARRIAN LEWIS

- Grabbed his second interception of the season and fourth of his career in the second quarter

- Has now tallied an interception in back-to-back games, becoming the first to do so since Beanie Bishop in 2023 (Sept. 9 vs. Duquesne and Sept. 16 vs. Pitt)

- Tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including four solos

West Virginia University head coach Rich Rodriguez | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University offensive lineman Nick Krahe | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University offensive lineman Ty’Kieast Crawford | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University running back Tye Edwards | Christopher Hall - West Virginia on S

RB TYE EDWARDS

- Tallied his first score as a Mountaineer with a 12-yard rushing TD in the second quarter.

- Added his second TD in the third quarter on a 1-yard scamper.

- Scored a 1-yard rushing TD, his third of the game, in overtime to help seal the win.

- Became the first Mountaineer to score three rushing TDs in a game since QB Garrett Greene vs. Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 2023.

- Additionally, he is the first running back to do so since CJ Donaldson Jr. on Sept. 17, 2022 vs. Towson.

- Finished with 141 yards on 25 attempts, including a long of 27.

- First 100-yard rusher for the Mountaineers this season.

West Virginia University kicker Ethan Head | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University defensive linemen Eddie Kelly Jr. and Eddie Vesterinen clamp down on the Pitt offense | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University safety Fred Perry | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University safety Fred Perry and linebacker Reid Carrico apply pressure and force an incomplete pass againt Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University punter Oliver Straw | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University defensive lineman Devin Grant | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University receiver Justin Smith-Brown breaks the tackle of Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University football vs. Pitt 2025 | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia celebrates running back Tye Edwards' second touchdown run of the afternoon. | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University defensive back Justin Harrington | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University defense — The West Virginia defense limits Pitt running back Juelz Goff to no gain in the fourth quarter | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University running back Clay Ash | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University tight end Grayson Barnes avoids the Pitt defender for a 34-yard reception | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

TE GRAYSON BARNES

- Scored his first touchdown as a Mountaineer on a 2-yard, game- tying reception in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

- Also hauled in a 34-yard catch to help propel the game-tying drive.

- Finished with five receptions for 58 yards.

West Virginia University receiver Cam Vaughn | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia University tight end Grayson Barnes celebrates the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter with teammates Jacob Barrick (81) and Jeff Weimer (16) | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia offensive line — The West Virginia University offensive line provides the final push for running back Tye Edwars at the start of the snap for the go-ahead touchdown | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

West Virginia celebrates the game-winning touchdown | Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI

WVU GAME NOTES

- Saturday’s game marked the 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl.

- The Mountaineers are now 42-63-3 all-time against the Panthers

- With the win, Rich Rodriguez is now the second-winningest coach at WVU with 62 all-time wins

-The win also marks the fourth in a row at home against Pitt.

- West Virginia scored 17 unanswered points, including 10 in the final 5:03 .of regulation, to win the game.

- Saturday’s game marked the first overtime contest for the Mountaineers since Sept. 10, 2022, vs. Kansas

- The Mountaineers have held their opponents to three-and-outs on the opening drive of every game so far this season

- Since 2019, the Mountaineers have recorded at least one sack in a game 66 times

- Additionally, WVU’s defense has now recorded multiple sacks in 15 of the last 21 games

- WVU’s defense held Pitt to 46 yards on the ground, marking the second this season it has held an opponent to fewer than 100 yards rushing

- WVU has recorded at least four tackles for loss in 32 out of the last 37 games

- The Mountaineers have now recorded a rushing touchdown in 49 out of the last 54 games

- Since 2019, WVU has reached 100 yards on the ground 48 times

- During that time, the Mountaineers are 34-14 when rushing for at least 100 yards

- Furthermore, West Virginia recorded 174 yards rushing and has now surpassed 140 yards on the ground in 29 of the last 32 games.

WVU GAME NOTES

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