This rivalry between West Virginia and Pitt is fueled by the two schools proximity as both schools are separated by only 75 miles along I-79. The Backyard Brawl is the 14th oldest rivalry in college football having first been played in 1895, which was won an 8-0 West Virginia shutout. Pitt has made up for that initial defeat by taking a 21 game lead in the all-time series, which is 61-40-3 in their favor. One of the most famous Backyard Brawls occurred in December of 2007 when the 4-7 Panthers upended the number 2 ranked Mountaineers 13-9 crushing West Virginia’s national championship aspirations. The Panthers will hope to continue to get the best of their bitter rivals in the upcoming years.
The Panthers and Nittany Lions have been battling for Keystone state supremacy since 1893 when Penn State beat Pitt 32-0. Pitt has fared better in the meetings since then. However, they still trail the overall series 50-42-4. The rivalry was once regarded as the fiercest in the northern half of the country. However, the rivalry lost a bit of steam recently as it has been dormant from 2000 to 2016. The Panthers will look to rekindle their rivalry against the Nittany Lions with a victory at Acrisure Stadium in 2016.
Pitt is Notre Dame’s fifth most played an opponent and as such, they have developed quite the rivalry with the Fighting Irish. The two teams first met in 1909 and Notre Dame holds the lead in the all-time series 47-21-1. Recently both schools have joined the ACC with the Panthers winning their only meeting so far in 2013.
Pitt and ‘Cuse first met in 1916 and had played each other every year since 1955. The Panthers won the first meeting 30-0 and have taken control of the series since developing a 36-31-3 lead all-time. Pitt will look to extend their two-game winning streak over the Orange when the two teams meet this year.
Panthers Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Panther fans have a lot of pride in their team, but they are also very welcoming and friendly. If you’re a visiting fan you may receive a bit of light heckling, but nothing more intense than some good natured ribbing. If you like a fun relaxed tailgating atmosphere come on out to a Pitt Panthers game and don’t forget to bring some Yuengling.
The Panthers Prowl offers fans the chance to rub shoulders with the team before the match. This walk is accompanied by the band playing the Pitt fight song outside Acrisure Stadium as the team makes it way to the locker room. The Prowl takes place before kickoff and culminates at Acrisure Stadium Gate A, so make sure to get to the stadium early if you want to give the Panthers some last minute inspiration.
You’ll have an excellent time throwing back some brews and celebrating a Panthers gameday at a Pitt tailgate.
Before every athletic event at the University of Pittsburgh fans rub the nose of the Millennium Panther statue to bring the team good luck. The Millennium Panther is located right outside the William Pitt Union, so make your way to the statute before the game to give the Panthers that extra bit of luck.
The Prowl is your chance to give the Panthers some last minute inspiration before they enter the stadium. During the walk the band and players parade into the stadium past hundreds of Pitt fans.
The Great LawnThe Great Lawn is where Pitt students tailgate and is located outside of Gate A at Acrisure Stadium. Here you’ll find games, live DJs, performances by the band and cheer team, and more. Stop by the Great Lawn, if you want to let loose and tailgate with your fellow Pitt students.
Gravel Lot, Gold Lot, and Blue LotThe Gold Lot is the closest to the stadium and most expensive, so you’ll have a quick walk to the stadium but won’t find as many students tailgating here as other lots. The Blue Lot and Gravel Lot are less expensive, and home to some of the most diehard Panthers fans out there. No matter where you decide to tailgate, though, you’ll have a great time setting up shop in the parking lots surrounding Acrisure Stadium.
Panthers Stadium Guide
In Game
Yinzers take their sports teams very seriously, and the Panthers are no exception. The fans here create a great game day atmosphere as they brim with passion and pride for the Panthers, yet are still a friendly bunch. If you’re a visiting fan, you will get heckled a bit, but fans will still treat you with respect and create an overall inviting environment.
Not only does Pitt have some great fans they also have had some great teams over the years. The Panthers have won nine national championships, with the last coming in 1976, and have also produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The Panthers most famous alumni is Dan Marino who held the record for most passing yards passes completed, and touchdown passes when he retired from the NFL in 1999. In addition to Marino all time greats such as Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, and Larry Fitzgerald all played their collegiate football at Pitt.
One of the unique things about attending a Pitt game is they are the only school with an official yell that is part of one of their fight songs. The yell is in the fight song Hail to Pitt and is a reference to W.A. Johnston’s Official University Yell. When attending a Pitt Panthers game bring your vocal chords as you’ll need them to take part in this unique game day tradition.
The advantages to sharing Acrisure Stadium with the Steelers is that fans can experience an NFL style gameday experience, while also getting the incredible atmosphere of a college football game. One way to get the NFL experience is to visit The Great Hall, which displays the rich history of one of the NFL’s greatest franchises. The Great Hall is a must see for any NFL fan regardless what team you support.
Each game 100 students are selected to carry the 50-yard-long Hail to Pitt Flag. The flag is displayed on the field during pre-game activities and is an excellent way to show off the pride and tradition of Pitt football. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hail to Pitt Flag when attending a Panthers football game.
Iconic Heinz Field ketchup bottle makes a triumphant return to Pittsburgh’s North Shore, finding its new home at the Heinz Gate outside Acrisure Stadium. The newly restored 33-foot symbol boasts a flawless crimson fiberglass shell, adorned with a high-shine label that stays true to its classic design. Hoisting it above Gate C was no easy task, emphasizing the attention to detail put into this delicate process. The two giant ketchup bottles were removed from the stadium’s scoreboard last July 2022 due to the change in naming rights, but Heinz’s continued partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers ensures their presence lives on, providing fans with an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.
The Hail to Pitt Flag isn’t the only way students can get involved in the pre-game ceremony; they can also be a member of the group of students who create a tunnel that the team charges through as it takes the field. While this tradition was briefly lost in 1999, it was reinstated in 2008 to help lift the Panthers to victory.
Fight Songs
Pitt Victory Song
Let’s go Pitt, we’re set for victory
So lend a hand, strike up the band!
Let’s go Pitt, we’re making history
We’ll never yield out on the field.
The whistle blows, we’re on our toes
The ball is IN the air.
It may be rough the going tough
But always fighting fair so…
(Chorus)
Fight on for dear old Pittsburgh
And for the glory of the game
Show our worthy foe that the Panther’s on the go
Pitt must win today! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Cheer loyal sons of Pittsburgh
Cheer on to victory and fame
For the Blue and Gold shall conquer as of old
So fight, Pitt, fight!
(YELL)
Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
Da da da da da-da Fight, Pitt, fight!
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!
(Repeat Chorus)
Pitt Alma Mater
Alma mater, wise and glorious
Child of light and bride of truth
Over fate and foe victorious
Dowered with eternal youth.
Crowned with love of son and daughter
Thou shalt conquer as of yore.
Dear old Pittsburgh, Alma Mater
God preserve thee evermore.
Hail to Pitt
Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt every loyal son
Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt ’til the victory is won
The gold and blue shall wave forever
On high through fair and stormy weather
We’ll sing her praises far and wide
Until the end of time
Hooperay, hooperay for dear old U-N-I
We’ll give a grand old alleghenee, genac, genac, genac
We’ll wave and cheer for many a year
And sing our songs out loud and clear
For our university.
Sweet Caroline
The Panthers like their NFL counterpart the Steelers traditionally sing “Sweet Caroline” between the third and fourth quarter of every game. All the Pitt fans know the song by heart, so come prepared to belt out the lyrics with the crowd when attending a game at Acrisure Stadium.
Where it began,
I can’t begin to knowin’
But then I know it’s growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who’d have believed you’d come along.
Hands, touchin’ hands
Reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I…
…look at the night
And it don’t seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two.
And when I hurt,
Hurtin’ runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you?
Warm, touchin’ warm
Reachin’ out, touchin’ me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined,
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline,
I believe they never could
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline…
Official University Yell
Pitt is the only school with an official yell as part of the chorus in one of its fight songs. The yell is in the fight song Hail to Pitt and is a reference to W.A. Johnston’s Official University Yell. When attending a Pitt Panthers game bring your vocal chords as you’ll need them to take part in this unique game day tradition.
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