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The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt expresses his frustration with a holding call on Oderick Turner that negated LeSean McCoy’s touchdown run during the third quarter at the Backyard Brawl on December 1st, 2007.

The Backyard Brawl: A vitriolic Appalachian tradition

By Ryleigh Lord, News Editor September 12, 2023
From burning couches to displaying effigies of head coaches, the Backyard Brawl has a contentious history that dates back to 1895, when Pitt won 8-0. Since then, the game has turned into a battleground of insults and deep-rooted Appalachian rivalry.
Offensive Lineman Chris Vangas celebrates after a victory in Morgantown on December 1st, 2007.

Column | The Backyard Brawl is the best rivalry in all of sports

By Brian Sherry, Sports Editor September 12, 2023

One year ago, on a blisteringly hot Thursday evening in September, Pitt and West Virginia’s football teams took the field for a primetime season-opening matchup. But this was not a normal meeting between...

Woodburn Hall on West Virginia University downtown campus is shown April, 24, 2015, in Morgantown, W.Va.

West Virginia student newspaper breaks down the Mountaineers ahead of Backyard Brawl

By Ari Meyer, Staff Writer September 12, 2023

After taking down West Virginia in a close battle at Acrisure Stadium last year, Pitt football will look to build off of their past success as they take on the Mountaineers in Morgantown.  The Panthers...

Pitt fans show off a sign that reads "WV was our safety school" in the stands of Acrisure Stadium before the Backyard Brawl on Thursday.

Students, faculty give takes on 2023 Backyard Brawl

By Jermaine Sykes, Assistant Sports Editor September 12, 2023

College football is arguably the most popular sport — deservedly or not — at the University of Pittsburgh. With a deep history of past success and bitter rivalries, many people first heard of Pitt...

Junior Wide Receiver Konata Mumpfield (9) comes down with a catch during Saturday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Acrisure Stadium.

Takeaways | Pitt football’s offense looked unprepared in the River City Rivalry revival

By Ben Pisano, Staff Writer September 11, 2023

There’s never a convenient time for a QB controversy, least of all heading into the biggest rivalry game of the season. Stability at the most important position on the offense is essential to a team’s...

Redshirt Senior Quarterback Phil Jurkovec (5) gets tackled by opposing players during Saturday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Acrisure Stadium.

Pitt football comes up short of a comeback, falls to Cincinnati 27-21

By Brian Sherry, Sports Editor September 9, 2023

Sometimes, teams can make incredible comebacks, inspiring their entire fanbase by defying the odds and pulling together a win in the face of adversity. Pitt football had a chance to do just that on...

Feature | ‘It felt great’: Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec impresses in debut

Feature | ‘It felt great’: Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec impresses in debut

By Brian Sherry, Sports Editor September 5, 2023

As a senior at Pine Richland High School in the Pittsburgh-suburb of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, redshirt senior quarterback Phil Jurkovec was on top of the world. The Rams’ signal caller had just led his...

Pitt's football team and head coach Pat Narduzzi run onto the field for the first game of the season against Wofford at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pitt football takes care of business, trounces Wofford 45-7

By Brian Sherry, Sports Editor September 2, 2023

Last year, Pitt football began their season with a bang, defeating fierce rival West Virginia 38-31 in the Backyard Brawl. But this year’s season opener was much less action-packed than last year’s,...

Roc the Panther waves a flag at the Pitt football spring game on April 15 at Acrisure Stadium.

The Pitt News Sports Desk predicts Pitt football’s 2023 campaign

By The Pitt News Staff August 26, 2023

As the college football season quickly approaches, many analysts and fans are trying to predict how their favorite teams will fare in 2023. Pitt football, in particular, is a team that many are unsure...

Redshirt senior linebacker Shayne Simon (32) practices tackling at Pitt football training camp on Aug. 4

Takeaways | Pitt football prepares for 2023 campaign at summer training camp

By Brian Sherry, Sports Editor August 25, 2023

As the dog days of summer slowly fade into early autumn, one thing is on the minds of sports fans across the country — the return of college football. But while the start of the season is still on the...

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