Pitt and West Virginia will be Brawling into the next decade.
Four months before the school’s football programs renew their longstanding rivalry, Pitt and WVU jointly announced their teams will play annual games from 2029-32.
The “Backyard Brawl” series dates to 1895 and has featured 104 games — but none since 2011, until a four-game renewal to be staged annually from 2022-25.
“Passionate rivalry games like the Backyard Brawl make college football special,” Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke said in a statement. “The extension of this series is exciting to announce given our programs’ shared history and geography. It’s a rivalry that resonates throughout the region and across the country. That will certainly be on display when we renew ties this September at Heinz Field in front of a national television audience.”
Get ready for the Backyard Brawl...
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 13, 2022
...in 2022
and 2023
and 2024
and 2025
and 2029
and 2030
and 2031
and 2032.#H2P » #BeatWVU pic.twitter.com/LyExH5HLp7
This year’s Backyard Brawl is scheduled to open each team’s season Thursday, Sept. 1. Pitt is also scheduled to host games against West Virginia in 2024, 2029 and 2031. Mountaineer Field will serve as the site of Brawls next year, 2025, 2030 and 2032.
“The Backyard Brawl is one of the best rivalries in college football, and it is important that it continues into the future,” WVU athletic director Shane Lyons said in a statement. “Mountaineer Nation couldn’t be more excited that the renewal of this great rivalry starts this September after an 11-year hiatus. I want to thank Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke for her commitment to extending the series beyond our current contract, because it’s great for the two schools, their fan bases and college football.”
The Backyard Brawl is BACK again‼️#HailWV
— WVU Sports (@WVUSports) April 13, 2022
Pitt leads the series, 61-40-3, but WVU won 16 of the most recent 26 meetings, including 14 of 21 in the Big East. The Mountaineers won the three most recent matchups, including 21-20 in 2011, the season prior to WVU’s admission into the Big 12. Pitt began play in the ACC the next year.
Separated by about 75 miles, the schools have begun to meet again in basketball, baseball and other sports in recent seasons.
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