Pitt, West Virginia Extending Series Again Starting in 2033
After Saturday’s Backyard Brawl matchup between Pitt and West Virginia, the two schools won’t meet until 2029. Once the series comes back, however, it will now run for an eight-year stretch.
The two programs announced Friday that the Backyard Brawl will receive another extension, this time starting in 2033 and running through 2036. This adds to the previously scheduled four-game run between 2029-2032 that was announced in 2022.
“The Backyard Brawl is more than a game: it’s history, passion, and pride passed down through generations,” Director of Athletics Allen Greene said in a press release. “Extending this rivalry ensures that student-athletes and fans alike continue to experience one of college football’s greatest traditions, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled for what this means for both Pitt and West Virginia,” added head coach Pat Narduzzi. “But this goes far beyond four more games and the 75 miles separating us. This paves the way for future Panthers to carry on the history of this rivalry, while current ones get to forge new legacies for years to come. This extension isn’t just for Pitt and West Virginia, but for college football fans everywhere.”
With conference realignment shifting Pitt into the ACC and West Virginia into the Big 12, the two school separated by 75 miles saw its intense rivalry go to the wayside.
Efforts were made to bring back the rivalry and the Backyard Brawl returned in 2022 after a 10-yard hiatus. The Panthers took the return game 38-31 thanks to a pick-six by M.J. Devonshire in front of 70,000 fans, a Pittsburgh sports record.
West Virginia claimed the 2023 matchup in front of a raucous Morgantown crowd, 17-6. The Panthers captured the 2024 game, 38-34, with a late comeback in the final five minutes of the game.
The final contest of this four-game installment will take place Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium for the 108th all-time meeting between the two schools.
Scheduling conflicts prevented the series from continuing over the next three seasons.
Pitt holds the all-time series lead with a 63-41-3 record. This century, WVU owns an 8-7 edge in the rivalry.
Backyard Brawl Future Schedule Breakdown
September 8, 2029 — at Pittsburgh
September 7, 2030 — at West Virginia
September 6, 2031 — at Pittsburgh
September 11, 2032 — at West Virginia
September 10, 2033 — at Pittsburgh
September 9, 2034 — at West Virginia
September 8, 2035 — at Pittsburgh
September 13, 2036 — at West Virginia
The Panthers currently has Richmond, UCF and Delaware on its non-conference schedule for 2029 and Toledo for 2030.
Pitt and Notre Dame are scheduled to play four times between 2031-2036. Notre Dame will host the Panthers in 2033 and 2036, while the Panthers will play at home in 2031 and 2034.
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