Pitt Prepares for 102nd "Backyard Brawl" at West Virginia
11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 22, 2009
GAME NOTES LINK:
ISP National Radio Affiliates List
# 8/9 Pitt (9-1, 5-0 Big East)
vs. West Virginia (7-3, 3-2 Big East)
Nov. 27, 2009 • 7 p.m., EST • Milan Puskar Stadium (60,000) • Morgantown, W.Va.
GAME STORYLINES
One of the nation's longest running rivalries, Pitt and West Virginia renew ties for the 102nd time in the "Backyard Brawl" series. With 101 prior encounters, West Virginia is the Panthers' most-played opponent.
Pitt has defeated West Virginia the past two years, including its landmark 13-9 upset in Morgantown on Dec. 1, 2007. The Panthers have not beaten WVU in three consecutive years since winning seven straight in the series from 1976-82.
Ranked No. 8 by The Associated Press and No. 9 in the USA Today coaches poll, Pitt has its highest November rankings since 1982. The Panthers are No. 9 in the BCS ratings, their highest listing ever.
Pitt achieved its lofty rankings after winning six consecutive games to improve to 9-1 on the year, its best start since the 1982 Panthers also began 9-1. Pitt last had a 10-1 record in 1981. Both the '81 and '82 Pitt squads were quarterbacked by Dan Marino.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: The Pitt-West Virginia game will be a national ESPN2 telecast. Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Davie (color) form the broadcast crew.
PITT RADIO: 3WS 94.5 (WWSW-FM), Fox Sports Radio 970 (WBGG-AM) and the Pittsburgh ISP Sports Network. Bill Hillgrove calls the action, while three-time Pitt All-American Bill Fralic and former Panther head coach Serafino "Foge" Fazio provide color analysis.
BIG EAST/ISP GAME OF THE WEEK: John Rooke (play-by-play) and Pete Brock (color) will call the national ISP radio broadcast.
SATELLITE RADIO: The Pitt-West Virginia game will be aired on SIRIUS satellite radio channel 125 and XM channel 103.
INTERNET: "Panthers All-Access" at PittsburghPanthers.com.
SERIES HISTORY
This year's "Backyard Brawl" between Pitt and West Virginia marks the 102nd game played between the two rivals...the Panthers lead the series, 61-37-3...with 101 prior meetings dating back to 1895, Pitt and West Virginia have the longest running series among Big East schools...West Virginia is Pitt's most-played opponent...Penn State is next with 96 games played...the two teams have met every year since 1943...this year's game marks the 67th consecutive year the teams have played...the visiting team has won 13 of the last 22 games...Pitt has won the last two encounters, a 13-9 road victory in 2007 and 19-15 at Heinz Field last year...Pitt is seeking a third consecutive win over WVU, something it last accomplished during a seven-game series win streak from 1976-82...the Panthers lead the series this decade, 5-4, with Pitt winning three times in Pittsburgh (2000, 2004 and 2008) and twice at WVU (2001 and 2007).