WVU Sports: A History Of Heartbreaking Defeat
By Phil Poling
2007 Backyard Brawl
You knew where this was leading when you first saw the title. For the poll, 75 percent of the voters knew, too. I even received a handful of, “13-9, no question,” responses. Like there was no doubt at all; this is the most painful loss in Mountaineer history.
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Before fleeing town and failing at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez had the WVU football program primed for a National Championship, with only rival-Pitt standing in their way. The No. 2-ranked team in the country versus a 4-7, 28-point underdog? Where do I place my wager? Seems like money in the bank, right? Mountaineer fans would sigh, “You must be new here.”
It was the 100th Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt. A cold, Saturday night in Morgantown was expected to be heated by burning couches and chants of, “Lets Goooooo, Mountaineers!” come midnight, but something strange happened. The high-powered Pat White-led offense never got off the ground. Kicker Pat McAfee missed two field goals. The defense held Pitt to only 13 points, but it just wasn’t good enough. The only good thing resulting from this heartbreaking loss? Bill Stewart’s all-time great speech.
“We got a great opportunity. We got a dandy out there waiting for us. Offense: Play fast. Defense: Swarm. Swarm and tackle. Punch that ball any chance you get and keep bustin’ em. Special teams: Lay it on the line and attack your responsibility. We can out block them. We can out tackle them. We can out hit em and hustle. It’s real simple: You out block them. You out tackle them. You out hit em. You out hustle em. And you stay within the legal limits of the game. It’s Mountaineer Pride! Nothing cheap! From the heart! Strain them! Damn, I’m proud to be a Mou… I picked you a good one didn’t I? Huh? We gotta do it. We are going to out strain and out hit these guys. Let em know. Leave no doubt tonight! Leave NO DOUBT Tonight! No doubt! They shouldn’t have played the old Gold N’ Blue. NOT THIS NIGHT! NOT THIS NIGHT! Don’t leave your wingman. Never, ever, ever bail out on your brother. You help. You strain, and you just fight. Start fast! Stay on top of em! It’s a game lads. Let’s go have fun and go get us a big victory!”
Leave. No. Doubt.