Narduzzi says fans’ hatred defines Backyard Brawl rivalry

Brian Schaible

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Narduzzi says fans’ hatred defines Backyard Brawl rivalry image

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi closed the book on Central Michigan and quickly shifted his focus toward one of the most heated rivalries in college football, the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia.

Narduzzi said he was pleased with how his team avoided the pitfalls that tripped up several Power Four programs against Mid-American Conference opponents. “We could have found ourselves in the same thing,” Narduzzi said. “That’s what I’m most proud about our guys. They bought in.”

Now the challenge is a West Virginia team led by veteran coach Rich Rodriguez, who Narduzzi knows well from his time at Michigan and Cincinnati. “Coach Rodriguez calls the plays on offense. He’s a dynamic play-caller,” Narduzzi said. “It will be a heck of a ballgame down in that atmosphere in Morgantown.”

The Panthers’ defense will be tasked with containing quarterback Nicco Marchiol and wide receiver Cam Vaughn, a Jacksonville State transfer. “No. 4, we have to know where he is,” Narduzzi emphasized. “Obviously Jahiem White is a player. Their tight end Grayson Barnes…a guy we have to know where he is, play-action pass, all that.”

Asked about the significance of the rivalry, Narduzzi didn’t mince words. “It’s a rivalry,” he said. “There is a lot of hatred in the game. I think the fans hate each other. For us as a football team, all the things in the crowd and the stands…doesn’t really matter. It’s what happens on that football field.”

He also made it clear Pitt will not back down from the challenge of facing an angry opponent coming off a loss. “They’ll be intense, tough, physical, they’ll play fast. That’s what we expect,” Narduzzi said.

The Backyard Brawl kicks off Saturday in Morgantown, marking the fourth straight year the rivals have met. After this weekend, the series is scheduled to pause until it resumes in 2029.

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Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.