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2007 Backyard Brawl
2007 Backyard Brawl
2007 Backyard Brawl
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2007 Backyard Brawl
"13–9"
Pittsburgh Panthers West Virginia Mountaineers
(4–7) (10–1)
13 9
Head coach: 
Dave Wannstedt		 Head coach: 
Rich Rodriguez
APCoachesBCS
NRNRNR
APCoachesBCS
212
1234Total
Pittsburgh 037313
West Virginia 07029
DateDecember 1, 2007
Season2007
StadiumMountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
LocationMorgantown, West Virginia
FavoriteWest Virginia by 28
Attendance60,100
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersMike Patrick, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe

The 2007 Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia football game (also known simply as 13–9) was a college football game held in Morgantown, West Virginia that marked the 100th Backyard Brawl. Unranked and 4–7 Pittsburgh, a 28½ point underdog, pulled the upset over archrival West Virginia which, coming into the game, was ranked second in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings and AP poll and first in the Coaches Poll. By upsetting West Virginia in the Mountaineers' regular season and home finale, the Panthers knocked West Virginia out of what had been assured to be their first appearance in a BCS National Championship Game and a shot at their first national championship.[1] The game was one of the most important Backyard Brawls in the series history, one of the biggest upsets in both Pittsburgh and West Virginia history, one of the biggest upsets of the season, and was voted as the "Game of the Year" by ESPNU.

Game summary

[edit]

The Mountaineers could never get their high-powered offense going against the Panthers and were hurt by fumbles, missed field goals, and an injury to star quarterback Pat White, who missed most of the game after dislocating his thumb in the second quarter. Trailing by one possession late in the fourth quarter, West Virginia twice had the ball in Pitt territory. Despite White's return, the Mountaineers both times failed to convert on fourth down plays. The final Pitt possession saw the underdogs run the ball out of the back of the end zone for an intentional safety as time expired. West Virginia's kicker Pat McAfee missed two field goals in the game and Pitt's kicker Conor Lee missed one.

Scoring

[edit]

Second quarter

[edit]
  • WVU – Jarrett Brown 6 Yd Run (Pat McAfee kick) WVU 7–0
  • PITT – Conor Lee 48 Yd field goal WVU 7–3

Third quarter

[edit]
  • PITT – Pat Bostick 1 Yd Run (Conor Lee kick) PITT 10–7

Fourth quarter

[edit]
  • PITT – Conor Lee 18 Yd field goal PITT 13–7
  • WVU – Ball Through End Zone PITT 13–9

Aftermath

[edit]

At Pitt's campus in Pittsburgh, large numbers of students began forming in different locations of the Oakland neighborhood.[citation needed] In addition to the crowds, a sofa chair was burned in front of the university's Cathedral of Learning, mocking the WVU tradition of burning couches after big wins.[citation needed] When interviewed in 2017 for an SB Nation 10-year retrospective on the 2007 college football season as a whole, Owen Schmitt, fullback for the 2007 WVU team, apparently still had problems coming to grips with the result, telling the reporter, "And then you get to the fucking last game of the season and blow it against the shittiest fucking team in the fucking world."[2]

Several football recruits that were visiting West Virginia for the game ended up cheering with the Panthers on their sideline by the end of the game. Several of them later decided to play for Pitt over West Virginia.[3][4] The game was briefly seen as a turning point in Coach Dave Wannstedt's early tenure at Pitt, during which he had struggled and seemingly stagnated. However, Wannstedt resigned following the 2010 regular season. The trickle-down effect of West Virginia being knocked out of the BCS Championship has been speculated to have had a major impact on the bowl placement of many teams and the filling of various head-coaching positions. Most prominently affected was LSU, who slid into WVU's slot and ended up winning the BCS Championship.[4]

The game turned out to have a profound impact on the future of Michigan, which was in the midst of a search to replace retiring coach Lloyd Carr.[5] Two weeks after the loss, Michigan hired Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez as Carr's successor. Had West Virginia beaten Pitt, Rodriguez likely would not have left West Virginia and passed up the chance to play for a BCS National Championship, and Michigan would have had to look elsewhere for its coach.

The game was named as the "Game of the Year" by ESPNU and other publications.[6] It was also the first time the Panthers defeated a 2nd-ranked opponent since their 24–20 win over Georgia in the 1982 Sugar Bowl.[citation needed]

West Virginia's season ended on a positive note, however, as it was elected to play in the Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Mountaineers avenged their devastating loss to Pitt with a convincing 48–28 win over the 3rd-ranked Sooners.

Along with #1 Missouri's loss in the Big 12 Championship Game to Oklahoma, West Virginia's loss to Pitt represented the second straight week that both the #1 and #2 teams lost. It was the first time it had happened in consecutive weekends. As a result, Ohio State, who was idle the last 2 weeks, and LSU, who won the SEC Championship Game over Tennessee despite two overtime losses in the regular season, were selected to play in the BCS National Championship Game, with the Tigers winning 38–24.

The teams met again the next season in Pittsburgh, as was usual as the rivalry was an annual one at the time. Pittsburgh again won, this time 19–15, and the teams ended with identical 9–4 records. In 2009, the teams met in Morgantown for the first time since the upset with West Virginia winning 19–16. They met 2 more times in 2010 and 2011, with the Mountaineers winning each of them. With both the Panthers joining the ACC and the Mountaineers joining the Big 12 in 2012, the series was in doubt. In 2015, the two schools agreed to play a 4-game series from 2022 to 2025.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2007 Backyard Brawl

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from Grokipedia
The 2007 Backyard Brawl was the 100th edition of the historic rivalry between the Panthers and the Mountaineers, contested on December 1, 2007, at Mountaineer Field in . In one of the most shocking upsets in NCAA football history, the unranked and 4–7 Panthers, a 28½-point underdog, defeated the second-ranked and 10–1 Mountaineers 13–9, knocking out of contention for the . The game exemplified gritty, low-scoring defensive football, with Pittsburgh dominating time of possession at 22:19 and holding to just 183 total yards and twelve first downs. Freshman running back spearheaded the Panthers' ground attack, rushing for 148 yards on 38 carries, while the defense, led by linebacker Scott McKillop and others, stifled the Mountaineers' high-powered that had averaged 39.6 points per game entering the matchup. managed only one —a 6-yard run by Jarrett Brown late in the second quarter—and relied heavily on field goals, but quarterback Pat White, the contender, was severely limited to 50 passing yards overall after dislocating his thumb and missing most of the game. countered with two field goals from Conor Lee and a 1-yard run by Pat Bostick in the third quarter, then sealed the victory on the final play when punter Dave Brytus intentionally took a after downing a bad snap in the end zone. The upset had profound repercussions for both programs and the national landscape. For Pittsburgh, under first-year head coach , it provided a season highlight amid injuries and inconsistency, finishing the year at 5–7 and marking their first win over a top-two opponent since 1983. , coached by , saw their undefeated Big East campaign and national title dreams—fueled by White, running back , and an innovative no-huddle offense—derailed, leading to an 11–2 final record, a appearance, and Rodriguez's abrupt departure to just weeks later. The loss cleared the path for LSU to face Ohio State in the BCS title game, reshaping the 2007 era's early dynamics and cementing the Backyard Brawl's legacy as a pivotal rivalry clash.

Background

Rivalry History

The Backyard Brawl rivalry between the Panthers and the Mountaineers originated on October 26, 1895, with the inaugural football game played in Morgantown, where secured an 8-0 victory over the then-Western University of Pennsylvania. Early matchups were infrequent and irregular, occurring sporadically amid competition from other regional opponents during an era when both programs operated as independents. Over the subsequent decades, the series developed into a fixture of in the Northeast, with games alternating sites and reflecting the growing intensity of interstate competition between the neighboring states. The rivalry evolved significantly with conference realignments, maintaining its independent status for much of the 20th century before both teams joined the in 1991, which formalized the as an annual league contest. This affiliation heightened the stakes, integrating the game into conference championship implications and bowl berths. Entering the 2007 season—the 100th meeting in the series—Pitt held an overall lead of 55-41-3, though had asserted recent dominance by winning seven of the previous ten encounters. The series would continue annually in the until conference realignment led to 's departure for the Big 12 in 2012 and Pitt's move to the ACC in 2013, suspending the rivalry after the 2011 edition. The cultural significance of the Backyard Brawl stems from the teams' close geographic proximity, with campuses roughly 75 miles apart across the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, fueling a fierce, blue-collar fan rivalry marked by heated exchanges and physical play. Nicknamed for this "backyard" closeness and the brawl-like intensity of the contests, the series has long symbolized regional pride and tradition, drawing passionate crowds and embodying the gritty spirit of Appalachian football.

2007 Season Context

The 2007 season was characterized by numerous upsets, including Appalachian State's victory over and multiple losses by top-ranked teams to unranked opponents, creating a volatile landscape that heightened the drama of key matchups like the . The entered the game with a 10-1 overall record and a No. 2 national ranking in both the and BCS standings, having secured five conference victories in the Big East. Under head coach in his sixth and final year, the Mountaineers demonstrated offensive prowess with dominant performances, such as a 55-14 win over Syracuse and a 31-14 victory over , and close triumphs against (28-23) and Louisville (38-31). Their sole loss came against (21-13), but they remained in contention for a berth. In contrast, the approached the matchup with a 4-7 record and no national ranking, marking a disappointing campaign for the program under head coach in his third year. The ' victories included non-conference wins over Eastern Michigan (27-3) and Grambling State (34-10), along with Big East successes against (24-17) and Syracuse (20-17), but losses to teams like (45-48) and Rutgers (16-20) underscored their struggles. As the 100th edition of the and 's final Big East regular-season game before the conference realignment that saw the Mountaineers depart for the Big 12 in 2012, the contest carried significant implications for bowl eligibility and national positioning. A win would have clinched a spot for in the , while sought to salvage a frustrating season and potentially reach bowl contention with a .500 finish. The outcome ultimately dashed 's aspirations and altered their postseason path to the .

Pre-Game

Team Preparations and Expectations

Pittsburgh head coach centered the team's preparations on bolstering the defense, dedicating significant practice time to studying West Virginia's potent and emphasizing discipline to avoid turnovers and penalties. devised schemes aimed at containing the Mountaineers' high-powered attack, with Wannstedt stressing the need for an "old-school" physical approach in the rivalry matchup. The Panthers, entering at 4-7 and unranked, faced injury concerns along the offensive line, which limited their practice intensity and forced adjustments in blocking assignments. On the West Virginia side, coach implemented his signature high-tempo practice regimen, simulating game-speed no-huddle drills to maintain the team's rhythm from their undefeated streak through 10 games. The Mountaineers, ranked No. 2 with a 10-1 record, drew confidence from their dominant season but navigated intense media scrutiny as national title contenders, with Rodriguez urging focus amid questions about sustaining momentum for a BCS berth. Expectations heavily favored by 28.5 points, reflecting their status as overwhelming favorites in a game billed for high stakes. Cold conditions prevailed in Morgantown, with temperatures in the low 30s and windy gusts adding to the challenging environment. Media coverage framed the contest as a prime upset opportunity for , portraying it as a potential "" where the underdog Panthers could disrupt West Virginia's title path, though outlets like anticipated Mountaineer dominance given the talent disparity.

Key Personnel and Matchups

The 2007 Backyard Brawl featured a clash between two contrasting coaching philosophies, with Pittsburgh's , a defensive specialist in his third year leading the Panthers after a 6-6 finish in 2006, facing 's , an offensive innovator who had guided the Mountaineers to an 11-2 record the previous season. Wannstedt's emphasis on stout run defense and physical play aimed to counter Rodriguez's high-tempo , which had propelled West Virginia to national prominence. For , freshman quarterback Pat Bostick stepped in as the starter midway through the season, bringing poise to an offense that relied on his ability to manage games and distribute to playmakers. LeSean McCoy, another heralded freshman, emerged as the Panthers' offensive centerpiece with 1,328 rushing yards for the season, showcasing explosive speed and vision that made him a focal point of the attack. On defense, linebacker Scott McKillop anchored the front seven as a tackling machine and leader, while defensive end Joe Clermond provided edge pressure with his strength and pursuit skills. West Virginia's offense revolved around dual-threat quarterback Pat White, a junior who amassed 1,724 passing yards and 1,335 rushing yards in 2007, using his mobility and arm to execute Rodriguez's no-huddle scheme. Complementing White was Steve Slaton, whose 1,051 rushing yards highlighted his elusiveness and big-play ability in a backfield that also featured freshman . Kicker added reliability to the special teams unit, contributing field goals and kickoffs with his strong leg throughout the season. Key anticipated matchups centered on Pittsburgh's improving defense, led by Wannstedt's schemes, attempting to disrupt West Virginia's fast-paced no-huddle offense that averaged over 40 points per game entering the . Specifically, McCoy's ground attack faced a Mountaineers run defense ranked 18th nationally, allowing 102.7 rushing yards per game, testing Slaton and White's ability to exploit gaps in return.

Game Details

Venue and Broadcast

The 2007 Backyard Brawl took place at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia, the home stadium of the West Virginia Mountaineers. With a capacity of 63,500, the venue provided a distinct home-field advantage for West Virginia despite the intense rivalry often creating a charged, somewhat neutral atmosphere among the partisan crowd. The game attracted 60,100 spectators, reflecting a near-sellout and the event's regional draw, including a substantial contingent of traveling supporters from Pittsburgh. The matchup was nationally televised on , airing as a key Saturday afternoon contest during the season. Veteran broadcaster handled play-by-play duties for the network, capturing the high-stakes drama of the 100th edition of the rivalry. Kickoff occurred at 4:45 p.m. ET on December 1, 2007, allowing for an evening game under the lights as temperatures cooled in the mountain setting. Radio broadcasts were carried on the flagship networks for both teams, with West Virginia's coverage led by its Mountaineer Sports Network affiliates and Pittsburgh's on the Panther Radio Network, ensuring widespread local access to the proceedings. The rivalry's longstanding fervor amplified the on-site energy, blending West Virginia's rowdy home traditions with the vocal presence of Pitt faithful.

Game Flow and Statistics

The 2007 unfolded as a gritty defensive struggle, culminating in Pittsburgh's 13-9 victory over in a game marked by low offensive output and relentless pressure from both defenses. A scoreless first quarter exemplified the early , as neither team could sustain drives amid fierce tackling and coverage, setting the stage for a contest where physicality overshadowed scoring opportunities. Overall game statistics underscored the defensive dominance, with accumulating 225 total yards to 's 183, the latter representing a season-low for the Mountaineers' high-powered offense. The Panthers controlled the clock effectively, holding a 36:19 to 23:41 edge in time of possession, which limited 's explosive plays. Turnovers disrupted rhythm on both sides, with committing two interceptions and losing the ball three times via three fumbles; penalties further hampered flow, as drew seven for 55 yards compared to 's two for 20 yards.
StatisticPittsburghWest Virginia
Total Yards225183
Turnovers23
Time of Possession36:1923:41
Penalties (Yards)7 (55)2 (20)
Defensive highlights revealed 's front seven as particularly disruptive, registering two sacks and six tackles for loss to stifle 's rushing attack, while the Mountaineers countered with one sack, five tackles for loss, and two interceptions off quarterback Pat Bostick, who faced several high-risk throws that nearly resulted in additional picks. These efforts turned potential big plays into punts or field position battles, amplifying the game's tension. Offensive efficiencies lagged throughout, with third-down conversions proving elusive: Pittsburgh went 6-for-18, and managed 5-for-14, often settling for field goals or failing on crucial downs. The punting duel leaned toward at 44.5 yards per attempt over Pittsburgh's 36.0, though neither unit flipped field position dramatically in a game defined by short fields and conservative calls. Key metrics further emphasized the slugfest, including a combined three turnovers on downs from failed fourth-down gambles that halted momentum and preserved Pittsburgh's lead in the late stages, highlighting how defensive stands rather than offensive decided the outcome.

Game Summary

First Half Action

The first quarter of the 2007 remained scoreless, as both defenses asserted control early in the cold, windy conditions at . On the second play of the game, Pitt Pat Bostick's pass was intercepted by West Virginia Antonio Lewis, who returned it 48 yards to near midfield. West Virginia, led by Pat White, gained initial momentum with a 21-yard rush by White midway through the quarter, but the Mountaineers missed a 32-yard attempt with 1:18 left. Earlier, they had also missed a 20-yard attempt. Pitt's defense, anchored by linebacker , limited West Virginia to minimal gains on other drives. The Panthers' offense, paced by running back LeSean McCoy's consistent short gains—including a 12-yard rush on the game's first play—could not sustain drives, ending the quarter with the teams tied at 0-0. In the second quarter, West Virginia's drive that began in the first quarter after the continued methodically for 74 yards over 14 plays and 5:42 total, with suffering a thumb dislocation during the sequence; backup Jarrett Brown then scored on a 6-yard run at 1:43, followed by Pat McAfee's extra point to give a 7-0 lead. Pitt responded immediately, using a no-huddle offense to counter West Virginia's tempo and relying on McCoy's key rushes—totaling 45 yards in the half—to advance 41 yards in six plays, setting up Conor Lee's 48-yard as time expired, narrowing the score to 3-7 at halftime. The Panthers' physical running game and defensive stands helped shift momentum late despite the deficit. At , Pitt held a slight edge in total yards with 132 to West Virginia's 98, reflecting the Panthers' ground dominance and the Mountaineers' stalled passing attack after White's injury. This low-scoring, gritty half underscored the rivalry's intensity, with both teams enduring a physical toll from the frigid weather and hard-hitting play.

Second Half Action

The second half of the 2007 saw Pittsburgh seize control after a tightly contested first half that left West Virginia ahead 7-3, setting the stage for high drama in the rivalry's 100th meeting. In the third quarter, the Panthers capitalized on their opening drive, marching 48 yards in 11 plays before quarterback Pat Bostick plunged in from 1 yard out at the 9:48 mark. Kicker Conor Lee converted the extra point, giving Pitt its first lead of the game at 10-7. Pittsburgh's defense, anchored by linebacker and defensive end Jabaal Sheard, stifled West Virginia's potent throughout the period, limiting the Mountaineers to just 31 yards in the third quarter and forcing punts on consecutive possessions. The Panthers dominated time of possession, holding the ball for over 10 minutes in the quarter while Pat White, West Virginia's star quarterback, remained sidelined with a thumb injury sustained earlier. Jarrett Brown, filling in at quarterback, managed only short gains against Pitt's aggressive front seven. Entering the fourth quarter, Pitt extended its advantage on a methodical 10-play, 45-yard drive capped by Lee's 18-yard field goal at the 6:17 mark, increasing the lead to 13-7. responded with urgency, as sparked hope with a 48-yard kickoff return to the Pitt 33-yard line. Pat White returned despite his injury, but the drive stalled after seven plays when was stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-2 at the 25-yard line. Later, the Mountaineers advanced to the Pitt 21 on their final possession but came up empty when overthrew a receiver in the end zone on fourth-and-long, turning the ball over on downs with 1:12 remaining. With the clock ticking and victory in sight, took over at its own 20-yard line. After a few runs to bleed the clock, punter Dave Brytus took the snap on the final play and intentionally ran out of the end zone for a , awarding two points but ensuring no time remained for a potential recovery. The unconventional finish sealed Pitt's stunning 13-9 upset, with no further lead changes after the Panthers' third-quarter . Pitt's punter averaged 36.0 yards on six boots, including several that flipped field position in the Mountaineers' territory during critical moments.

Post-Game Impact

Immediate Reactions

Pitt's 13-9 upset victory over No. 2 West Virginia in the 2007 Backyard Brawl triggered a torrent of raw emotions on the field and in the immediate aftermath, capturing the intense rivalry's stakes. Pitt players reveled in the improbable triumph, with freshman running back LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 148 yards, calling it a moment of pure elation in his first exposure to the rivalry: "This was my first one and the atmosphere of it was great... Now I understand why... I'm so happy we won that game, I'm just so happy for us." Offensive lineman Mike McGlynn echoed the sentiment, declaring it "the best win of my career, nobody believed in us but we got the job done... we shocked the world baby." On the West Virginia sideline, the mood was one of disbelief and self-recrimination, exemplified by fullback Owen Schmitt's post-game frustration: "We blew it against the sest fing team in the f*ing world," while criticizing the offensive play-calling as "atrocious." Coaches' reactions underscored the game's defensive grind and strategic pitfalls. Pitt head coach highlighted the Panthers' defensive resilience, which limited to just 183 total yards in what he later reflected on as a gritty, low-scoring battle executed to near-perfection. 's , visibly emotional in his post-game , vented frustration over his team's uncharacteristic offensive woes, stating, "I thought we were ready. We picked an awful time to have our worst offensive game in years," and describing the outcome as "a flat out nightmare." He also expressed dismay at critical mismanagement, including poor clock usage in the final drives that prevented a comeback. The crowd and locker room scenes amplified the emotional divide. West Virginia fans, expecting a rout, sat in stunned silence as the final whistle blew, their home-field energy deflated into shock. Brief field-storming by jubilant Pitt supporters occurred amid the chaos, while some Panthers players celebrated by dancing near the Mountaineer log at midfield, sparking tension and minor scuffles with West Virginia players during the post-game handshake. En route back to , the Panthers' bus faced hostile reactions from lingering Mountaineer faithful, with objects thrown and bangs on the vehicle underscoring the raw rivalry animosity. Media coverage captured the upset's seismic impact, with ESPN play-by-play announcer labeling it an "instant classic upset" during the broadcast, emphasizing its place among college football's most shocking finishes. Initial Associated Press poll projections reflected the fallout, with plummeting from No. 2 to No. 11 in the December 2 rankings, effectively ending their national title aspirations.

Seasonal and Conference Consequences

The upset victory by Pittsburgh over the second-ranked in the 2007 marked a pivotal moment for both programs' seasons, though the outcomes diverged sharply in terms of postseason trajectories. For , entering the game with a 4-7 record and no prospects, the 13-9 win provided a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing campaign under . The triumph elevated the Panthers' final record to 5-7 overall and 3-4 in Big East play, falling short of a postseason berth but serving as a foundational upset that boosted program morale and secured Wannstedt a three-year extension, which had been announced earlier that day despite his 17-18 record over three seasons entering the game. This result is widely regarded as a turning point that reinvigorated 's football program, fostering improved recruiting interest in the years that followed by demonstrating the team's potential against elite competition. In contrast, the loss shattered West Virginia's 10-1 overall record (5-1 in Big East play) and dashed their aspirations, as it eliminated any realistic path to the BCS title game amid simultaneous upsets across the top of the polls. The Mountaineers dropped from No. 2 to No. 6 in the final , finishing the year 11-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play after a dominant 48-28 victory over in the —though the matchup lacked the stakes of a title opportunity. The defeat intensified scrutiny on Rich , who resigned 15 days later to accept the head coaching position at , amid reports of internal pressures exacerbated by the high-profile collapse. This outcome not only ended West Virginia's but also highlighted vulnerabilities in their high-octane , influencing perceptions of the program's stability heading into the offseason. Within the , the result solidified a co-championship for , tied with at 5-2 in league play, but it cost the Mountaineers a stronger BCS positioning that might have come with an outright title or undefeated record. Pittsburgh's win denied West Virginia sole possession of the conference crown—UConn had clinched their share earlier with a 5-1 mark before their final game—but did little to alter the Panthers' mid-tier standing at 3-4. The upset contributed to broader discussions on the Big East's competitive depth during a period of impending realignment, as West Virginia's later move to the Big 12 in 2012 was influenced by shifting conference dynamics, though the 2007 game itself was not the final within the Big East (that occurred in 2011). Overall, the Brawl's outcome underscored the conference's volatility, with West Virginia securing the automatic BCS bid despite the setback.

Legacy

Rivalry Significance

The 2007 represented a pivotal moment in the Pitt-West Virginia rivalry, as the Panthers' upset victory broke West Virginia's two-game in the series and marked Pitt's 60th win in their 100 meetings. This outcome shifted the momentum in a rivalry that had seen West Virginia dominate recent encounters, restoring balance and reigniting competitive parity during a period of heightened intensity within the . The emotional repercussions of the 13-9 defeat profoundly deepened the animosity between the fanbases, with West Virginia supporters experiencing widespread heartbreak that not only derailed their team's aspirations but also fueled a lasting expressed in subsequent games. This loss symbolized the end of an era for the rivalry under the Big East banner, as it preceded broader conference instability that altered the series' frequency. Culturally, the game's dramatic footage has endured as a cornerstone in depictions of the , frequently featured in rivalry documentaries and narratives that highlight underdog triumphs in the Pittsburgh- football lore. The upset's legacy extends to conference realignment, where the ensuing turmoil for —exacerbated by the loss—accelerated its departure from the Big East to the Big 12 in 2012, suspending annual matchups until their resumption in 2022. Since then, the series has continued with Pitt defeating 38–31 in 2022, West Virginia winning 17–6 in 2023 and 31–24 in overtime on September 13, 2025; the teams extended the rivalry with games scheduled through at least 2037 as of September 2025. Reflecting on the loss in September 2025 ahead of the revived rivalry, Rodriguez stated, “If it was two or three years afterwards, it’d probably be more in my mind, but that was a lifetime ago.”

Notable Achievements and Records

The 2007 Backyard Brawl, marking the 100th meeting between the and , produced several statistical highlights despite its low-scoring nature. The Panthers' defense held the Mountaineers to 104 rushing yards on 41 carries, contributing to West Virginia's season-low total offense of 183 yards in a 13-9 loss. This performance snapped WVU's streak of 7 consecutive home victories, marking their first defeat at Mountaineer Field since a loss to . Pittsburgh running back LeSean McCoy led all rushers with 148 yards on 38 carries, a standout effort that helped anchor the Panthers' ground game and earned him recognition as the Big East Rookie of the Year for the 2007 season. Kicker Conor Lee contributed 7 points through two field goals (48 and 18 yards) and an extra point following Pat Bostick's sole touchdown run, proving decisive in the narrow victory. For West Virginia, quarterback Pat White completed 5 of 10 passes for 50 yards with no touchdowns, while the team managed just one score on the ground via Jarrett Brown's 6-yard run. The contest's 4-point margin represented the closest finish in the rivalry since a 3-point Pitt win in 2004, underscoring the defensive intensity that defined the matchup. Overall, the game featured five turnovers—two by Pitt and three by WVU—highlighting the error-prone play that limited both offenses.

References

  1. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2007/12/6/Relive_the_100th_Backyard_Brawl_on_FSN_Pittsburgh
  2. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/pitt-west-virginia-2007-backyard-brawl-altered-college-football-history/yovrhddemszslgdbzykawb3s
  3. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/273350277/pitt-west-virginia
  4. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2007/12/1/pitt_upends_no_2_west_virginia_13_9.aspx
  5. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2007/12/03/The-100th-Backyard-Brawl-Upset-puts-sweet-end-to-frustrating-season/stories/200712030206
  6. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/09/14/backyard-brawl-pitt-west-virginia-football-rivalry-history-series-record/75134189007/
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  9. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/594971-heated-opposition-west-virginias-5-most-hated-opponents-of-all-time
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  15. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2007/2/7/dave_wannstedt_announces_2007_recruiting_class.aspx
  16. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2007/11/26/coach_wannstedt_looks_at_the_2007_backyard_brawl.aspx
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  22. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pitt-football/2007/09/29/Circumstances-force-Wannstedt-to-start-freshmen-McCoy-Bostick-at-same-time/stories/200709290165
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2007-rushing.html
  24. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football/roster/2007
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  29. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2007-team-defense.html
  30. https://wvusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bill-kirelawich/2785
  31. https://www.ahsfhs.org/college/teams2/gamesbyyear.asp?Year=2007&Team=West%20Virginia
  32. https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/273350277
  33. https://www.si.com/college/westvirginia/football/west-virginia-native-espn-legendary-broadcaster-mike-patrick-passes-away
  34. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2007-12-01-west-virginia.html
  35. https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/273350277
  36. https://www.denverpost.com/2007/12/01/for-another-no-2-its-the-pitts/
  37. https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay/_/gameId/273350277
  38. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2007/12/02/Pitt-brawls-its-way-to-victory-on-the-strength-of-its-defense/stories/200712020291
  39. http://www.sbnation.com/a/2007-college-football-season/pitt-west-virginia
  40. https://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?appollid=971
  41. https://nypost.com/2007/12/02/backyard-bawl/
  42. https://www.tribdem.com/sports/07-brawl-was-turning-point-for-pitt-program/article_d7f8928b-d028-55e5-a94b-46bd94cb27da.html
  43. https://www.sbnation.com/a/2007-college-football-season/pitt-west-virginia
  44. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-east/2007.html
  45. https://frontporchsports.substack.com/p/how-the-2007-backyard-brawl-rewrote
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMyDktJzK8M
  47. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2025/9/12/football-backyard-brawl-extension
  48. https://www.2stripescpd.com/lesean-mccoy-pitt-college-highlights-fastest-running-backs-ever/
  49. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football/opponent-history/west-virginia-university/56
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