The 2025 season got off the tracks a bit for WVU football in Week 2, as the travelled to face a defending Group of 5 conference champion in Ohio and were felled 17-10 in a raucous environment.
But this week, the Mountaineers have the opportunity to bounce back in front of another rowdy crowd, but one that is a bit more friendly to them – as the Mountaineers are set to host the108th edition of The Backyard Brawl against archrival Pitt. According to head coach Rich Rodriguez, it's the most important game on the schedule any time it is played, and it will be a true litmus test for expectations for the Mountaineers in 2025 after a rocky start to the season. Here's all the information you need to follow the action this weekend.
The Basics: When And Where
The action is set for Saturday, September13 from Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, and kickoff is currently set for 3:30 PM EST.
The matchup with Pitt will be the second home game on the 2025 schedule for the Mountaineer -- West Virginia is 1-0 at home this season after beating Robert Morris, and is 4-4 in it's last eight home games dating back to the beginning of the 2024 season.
TV, Streaming, and Radio
Those who cannot make it out The Backyard Brawl in person can can follow along on television live on ESPN, and the game can also be watched via livestream online with a valid ESPN subscription. The commentary and analysis for the live broadcast is set to be handled by the trio of Mark Jones, Roddy Jones and Quint Kessenich.
Radio coverage will also be available, and can be found on all local Mountaineer Sports Network affiliates or The Varsity Network via web browser or smartphone app. The commentary will be tasked to play-by-play announcer Tony Caridi and analyst Dwight Wallace, with Jed Drenning handling sideline coverage. The radio broadcast starts with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show at 12:30 PM EST leading into pre-game coverage at 2:30 PM EST.
Tickets
For those Mountaineer fans looking to make it out to Milan Puskar Stadium for the Brawl, tickets are unfortunately sold out through the athletic department. However, select tickets can be found SeatGeek, which serves as the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of WVU Athletics.
WVU-Pitt Series History
The West Virginia Mountaineers and Pitt Panthers have met 107 times since 1895, and is arguably the largest rivalry game in the history of both programs. Pitt holds a 63-41-3 advantage during the series, and the Panthers are 2-1 against the Mountaineers since the series was restarted for the first time in over a decade in 2022 – but both of those wins came at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Before the series was reignited, WVU had held a 7-3 advantage in the previous ten meetings, and during, which is now down to 6-4 in the last ten contests. Rich Rodriguez holds a record of 4-3 against Pitt from his first tenure with the Mountaineers from 2001-2007, but his last meeting with the Panthers resulted in the infamous 13-9 loss at Milan Puskar Stadium that knocked WVU out of the national championship game.
Injuries
The Mountaineers will be missing starting wide receiver Jaden Bray and starting running back Jahiem White, who are out for the season after injuries against Ohio. Starting linebacker Reid Carrico was "day-to-day" according to Rodriguez on Tuesday, but is listed on the depth chart as the starter. Reserve running back Kannon katzer has been injured since the regular season began, but Rodriguez is hoping to have him back for this week's game. Edge rusher Jimmori Robinson has likely been cleared to play this season after eligibility concerns, but his availability in time for The Backyard Brawl is still in question.
Pitt, meanwhile, lost a pair of linebackers from their defensive rotation in sophomore Jeremiah Marcelin and Ohio State transfer Jayden Bonsu as well as a backup running back in senior Derrick Davis Jr. during preseason camp, with all three out for the season. Starting cornerback Rashad Battle is expected to miss the Brawl after not dressing against Central Michigan last week, and starting cornerback Tamon Lynum left the game against the Chippewas with an injury and is also expected to miss Saturday's game. Tight end Jake Overman is also questionable for this weekend's contest.
Weather Forecast
Morgantown is set for beautiful and relatively seasonable weather on Saturday with forcasts calling for a high of 81 degrees, and a low of 56 degrees, with the temperature set ot reach it's peak near kickoff and cool down into the mid-70s by the end of the game. There is a just a five percent chance of rain in the forecast with a mild 47 percent humidity and a light wind of six miles per hour.