PITTSBURGH—The “Backyard Brawl” is coming back.
The series that provided such iconic Pitt moments as “4th and 17” and “13-9” will be played again beginning in 2022.
Pitt athletic director Scott Barnes announced today a four-year agreement that will span the 2022-25 seasons. The Panthers will host the initial game on September 17, 2022, and again on September 14, 2024.
Pitt will play return games in Morgantown on September 16, 2023, and September 13, 2025.
“Pitt and West Virginia have a long and storied rivalry that dates back to the 19th century,” Barnes said. “I’ve learned there is a lot of passion surrounding this game and we’re pleased to be able to rekindle that history.
“We also continue to have productive conversations with Penn State,” Barnes added. “Although Penn State’s scheduling opportunities are limited in the early part of the 2020s, we are hopeful we will be able to expand upon our current four-year agreement that begins next year.
“An unfortunate byproduct of conference realignment has been the interruption of numerous traditional rivalries across the country. Everyone wins when two great series like Pitt-Penn State and Pitt-West Virginia are renewed, especially the student-athletes and fans of college football.”
West Virginia is the Panthers’ most-played opponent with 104 games from 1895 to 2011. Pitt leads the all-time series, 61-40-3.
Pitt’s second most-played rivalry is Penn State with 96 meetings between 1893 and 2000. The series will resume next season when the Panthers and Nittany Lions meet at Heinz Field on September 10, 2016.
PITT-WEST VIRGINIA FUTURE MEETINGS (Pitt leads series, 61-40-3)
September 17, 2022, at Pittsburgh
September 16, 2023, at West Virginia
September 14, 2024, at Pittsburgh
September 13, 2025, at West Virginia
PITT-PENN STATE FUTURE MEETINGS (PSU leads series, 50-42-4)
September 10, 2016, at Pittsburgh
September 9, 2017, at Penn State
September 8, 2018, at Pittsburgh
September 14, 2019, at Penn State