WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez left the program for Michigan in 2007, and his final game in Morgantown was the infamous 13-9 loss to the Pitt Panthers in The Backyard Brawl.
On Saturday, Rodriguez got a shot at redemption after 18 years, and it couldn't have went any better as the Mountaineers pulled out a 31-24 overtime win over their biggest rival in front of a rowdy crowd at Milan Puskar Stadium.
After the game, Rodriguez walked into the post-game press conference to raucous cheers from those in the room, and it was all smiles from there. Near the end of the press conference, he let everyone know just how good of a time he was having.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez enters the WVU press conference to raucous cheers. pic.twitter.com/L0vau7CbHC
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"It's physically impossible to make me unhappy," Rodriguez said of his mood after the win.
He also took his time during the press conference to highlight how important this Backyard Brawl victory is not just to him and his team, but anyone who calls themselves a fan of the program and all the members of the Mountaineer community.
"This win was for everybody that supports our program and follows our team...we're going to enjoy the hell out of this one for 24 hours,” Rodriguez said.
The victory puts WVU’s season back on track at 2-1 headed into conference play, and gives the Mountaineers the bragging rights in the rivalry for four years before the series is renewed in 2029. It wasn’t always pretty in the process, but the Mountaineers walked away with a win on Saturday and it certainly was a much-needed victory.