Sat Sep 13 13:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Pitt and West Virginia football rivalry, known as the Backyard Brawl, will continue until at least 2036. An extension agreement adds four more games to the already scheduled series from 2029-2032. The rivalry, which dates back to 1895, was interrupted for a decade after West Virginia’s move to the Big 12. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi expressed his excitement about the extension and suggested West Virginia avoided playing Pitt in 2026. He also said Pitt is open to playing Penn State.

**News Article:**

**Backyard Brawl Extended Through 2036: Pitt and West Virginia Renew Storied Rivalry**

MORGANTOWN, WV – The roar of the Backyard Brawl will echo for years to come, as Pitt and West Virginia have agreed to extend their historic football rivalry through the 2036 season. The announcement comes ahead of Saturday’s 108th meeting between the two schools in Morgantown.

After this weekend, fans will have to wait as the series will take a three-year hiatus before reigniting in 2029. From then, the Panthers and Mountaineers will clash annually for eight years, with West Virginia hosting in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036, and Pitt hosting in 2029, 2031, 2033, and 2035.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for what this means for both Pitt and West Virginia,” said Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi in a statement. “This goes far beyond four more games and the 75 miles separating us. This paves the way for future Panthers to carry on the history of this rivalry, while current ones get to forge new legacies for years to come. This extension isn’t just for Pitt and West Virginia, but for college football fans everywhere.”

The Backyard Brawl, a tradition dating back to 1895, has seen its share of interruptions. After the 2011 game, the series was put on hold for ten years when West Virginia left the Big East. The rivalry was revived in 2022 with a non-conference matchup. Pitt leads the all-time series 63-41-3.

The extension builds upon the already scheduled games between the schools from 2029 through 2032.

Narduzzi made waves earlier this week, suggesting West Virginia avoided playing Pitt in 2026 after a series with Alabama fell through. “I think our athletic director has reached out to them, and they already got it filled up, which means maybe they didn’t want to play us,” Narduzzi said, referencing West Virginia’s decision to play Coastal Carolina instead. “I don’t know. They filled it up. I know if we knew that was going to happen, that would be our first call.”

Despite the scheduling jab, Narduzzi reiterated his commitment to the rivalry. He also stated that Pitt is open to renewing another dormant rivalry with Penn State, which has been played sparingly since 2000.

College football fans can rejoice as the Backyard Brawl will continue to deliver the passion and intensity that has defined this rivalry for over a century.

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