MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Pitt is set to take on West Virginia in the 106th edition of the Backyard Brawl. The Panthers are looking to improve to 1-2 on the young 2023 season. Follow along for updates.
FIRST QUARTER
Pitt 3, West Virginia 0 7:39
UP — Ben Sauls 21-yard field goal
After a three-and-out by the Pitt defense, the Panthers offense got right to work and did it with a different identity than it showed last week in the loss to Cincinnati. The Panthers marched 67 yards on 11 plays, all runs, though the drive ended with a Ben Sauls field goal instead of a touchdown. It was not the result the Panthers wanted, but they chewed clock and imposed their will at the line of scrimmage, which is going to be key all night. Rodney Hammond had seven carries for 41 yards, which was more than he rushed for in the game last week. It was a strong start for the Panthers in front of a very hostile and raucous atmosphere at Milan Puskar Stadium.
SECOND QUARTER
West Virginia 7, Pitt 3 4:45
WV — Kole Taylor 7 yard pass from Nicco Marchiol
Rivalry games are known for swinging momentum, but this sequence that gave West Virginia the lead took it to a new level. Pitt defensive end Bam Brima scooped up a West Virginia fumble on a poorly executed handoff. It was a big play for the Pitt defense, because the Mountaineers were driving and it ended a prime threat. The positive vibes did not last very long for the Panthers. Phil Jurkovec, on only his third passing attempt of the game, gifted an interception to West Virginia defensive back Aubrey Burks, who took it back 26 yards. That return set up an easy touchdown dump-off from Nicco Marichol, the WVU backup quarterback, to Kole Taylor to give the Mountaineers their first points and first lead. Jurkovec has been under fire of late, and that throw won't help silence his critics.
West Virginia 7, Pitt 6 :09
UP — Ben Sauls 36-yard field goal
After the turnover sequence which led to West Virginia's first lead of the game, the crowd in Morgantown was into the game. Pitt responded, maybe not so gracefully, with a 12-play 57 yard drive to get into field goal range for Ben Sauls. Along the way, Phil Jurkovec picked up a nice nine-yard gain, and connected with Bub Means for a huge 20-yard conversion. West Virginia was also hit with its first penalty of the game, on a facemask penalty, which certainly aided Pitt's drive. Daniel Carter dropped a sure touchdown, though Jurkovec did not deliver a perfect pass to the Panthers tailback, which felt like a missed opportunity. Through it all, Pitt is out-gaining West Virginia at halftime, and the Panthers will start with the ball coming out of the break.
THIRD QUARTER
West Virginia 14, Pitt 6 5:05
WV — CJ Donaldson 1-yard run
Pitt got the ball out of halftime, but the Panthers could not muster a first down and had to punt. The Mountaineers then marched 13 plays and covered 46 yards and eventually scored on a CJ Donaldson plunge from one-yard away. Pitt generated a big nine-yard sack on the possession, but it was negated the following play with a MJ Devonshire holding call, which helped lead to the Mountaineers' score.
West Virginia 17, Pitt 6 1:57
WV — Michael Hayes 42-yard field goal
ON the ensuing possession, Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec completed a 12-yard pass, but then on the very next play tossed his second interception of the game. The West Virginia defender then had a nice run back to set up the Mountaineers in good field position, which resulted in three points as they extended the lead to a two-score game.
FOURTH QUARTER
The two teams played to a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter. Pitt could only muster 43 yards on offense in the final frame, even when the game was still in striking distance. The Panthers now fall to 1-2 on the season.
