‘They Hate Us and We Hate Them’: Pitt Eager for Backyard Brawl Redemption

Nate Matlack has played in his fair share of rivalry games, he’s even played against West Virginia a couple of times, but he’s never been a part of the Backyard Brawl.

Matlack has only ever watched it on TV.

“I was watching it, and I didn’t realize. I was like, ‘Why is this such a big game?’ And then I realized it was a rivalry and (I’m from the) Midwest, I got no idea,” Matlack said Tuesday after practice. “I didn’t know about the rivalry until really about then. But now I know how big it is for both programs, how close we are, only like a 40-minute drive I’ve been told, so I understand it’s a huge rivalry.”

The Backyard Brawl is one of the biggest rivalries in college football, a series dating back to the late 1800s. It’s a game that has been played over 100 times. The two sides, separated by 75.4 miles, are bitter rivals. There’s nothing like the Brawl.

Matlack — who spent the first four years of his collegiate career at Kansas State — isn’t intimately familiar with the intensity just yet, but he will be soon. And he already feels that Panthers’ pride. He didn’t want to lose to the Mountaineers as a Wildcat; he certainly doesn’t want to lose to the Mountaineers as a Panther.

Konata Mumpfeld doesn’t want to lose either. He’s a veteran now, having been through two Brawls of his own. In fact, there aren’t many — if any — college players with a greater insight into the Backyard Brawl.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (14) September 1, 2022 David Hague PSN

Mumpfield is entering his third Brawl. He’s one of the most experienced active Brawlers in college football. He’s experienced the highs (71 yards and a win at Acrisure Stadium in 2022) and the lows (six yards and a loss at Milan Puskar Stadium last season).

The Brawl is a tone-setter. And Mumpfield is confident that this season’s team will set a much different tone.

“Obviously last year wasn’t how we wanted to play against West Virginia, but this year, we’re a completely different team,” Mumpfield said Tuesday after practice. “Completely different offense, completely different mentality. It’s completely different. We’re confident, we’re going into the game confident and we’re excited for what’s going on. Good game plan.”

That game plan will include a heavy dose of Desmond Reid, who hasn’t experienced a true rivalry game.

Reid is already daydreaming about it. He’s thought about what it will feel like to carry the football into the end zone at Acrisure Stadium, listening to the crowd roar its approval. There will be 70,000 fans in attendance, after all. Reid is excited to learn — firsthand — what the rivalry is all about.

“It’s hate, between both of us,” Reid said Tuesday after practice. “They hate us and we hate them. Coach Duzz showed us a couple of videos of West Virginia fans last year, how they were acting. That’s what makes it fun. We just gotta come out and play good, we gotta start fast.”

Kyle Louis certainly wants to start fast. He just wants to get a chance to see the field against West Virginia. He didn’t play in 2022; he only played 13 snaps against WVU last season.

He felt that energy in 2022 as he stood on the sideline, just a wide-eyed true freshman. He didn’t play then, but he will be sure to make an impact this time. It’s time to set the tone entering the bulk of the season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to trying to bring that energy this year again,” Louis said Tuesday after practice. “Definitely win, that’s our first goal, but definitely get the energy back in the city.”

Pitt and West Virginia are scheduled to kick off at Acrisure Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Backyard Brawl will be broadcast on ESPN2.