Backyard Brawl

Played annually since 1895, the Backyard Brawl is the nickname of the college football rivalry game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the West Virginia Mountaineers. The close proximity of the schools, roughly 75 miles apart, is the basis for the nickname.¹ In the 2008 meeting, the Panthers defeated the Mountaineers, 19 to 15, on November 28, 2008, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.²

Fast Facts

1. First played: 1895³
2. College football rivalry game between West Virginia and Pittsburgh
3. Alternates location between Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA³
4. Pittsburgh leads the series 60-37-3³
5. 14th oldest rivalry in college football⁴

2008 Game Facts

1. Pittsburgh 19 - West Virginia 15
2. Date: November 28, 2008⁵
3. Time: 12:00 p.m. EST⁵
4. Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5. Television coverage: ABC
6. Both teams entered with a 7-3 record⁵
7. Sports Network predicted score: Pittsburgh 30, West Virginia 20⁵

100th Backyard Brawl

In addition to being the 100th anniversary of the rivalry game, the 2007 was especially notable. The unranked Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the second ranked West Virginia Mountaineers 13 to 9. West Virginia, who would have played in the BCS Championship Game had they won, dropped to the Fiesta Bowl and finished the season in ninth place.⁶

Recent Games

• 2007: Pittsburgh 13 - West Virginia 9³
• 2006: West Virginia 45 - Pittsburgh 27³
• 2005: West Virginia 45 - Pittsburgh 13³
• 2004: Pittsburgh 16 - West Virginia 13³
• 2003: West Virginia 52 - Pittsburgh 31³
• 2002: West Virginia 24 - Pittsburgh 17³
• 2001: Pittsburgh: 23 - West Virginia 17³
• 2000: Pittsburgh 38 - West Virginia 28³
• 1999: West Virginia 52 - Pittsburgh 21³
• 1998: West Virginia 52 - Pittsburgh 14³

The Latest in NCAA Football

Alabama's top LB Andre Smith suspended from the Sugar Bowl

Bowl season is here! See the experts' picks!

See an amazing catch by Hakeem Nicks of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl!

Sam Bradford wins the 2008 Heisman Trophy, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy finalists

BCS Championship Game: Oklahoma Sooners to play the Florida Gators

Related Pages on Mahalo

NCAA Football | West Virginia Mountaineers Football | Pittsburgh Panthers Football | Ohio State Michigan | Egg Bowl | Red River Rivalry | Iron Bowl | Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party | Sunshine Showdown | Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

Categories