Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and all of college football Twitter ate up the as-good-as-advertised return of the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt.
Hyped up football games don’t always meet expectations. But when they do? Oh buddy is it amazing.
Thursday’s meeting between West Virginia and Pittsburgh revived one of the fiercest rivalries in college football the Backyard Brawl. So, of course, the hype was high as both sides, separated by just 70 miles, prepared for their first battle since 2011.
The game that ensued was worth every second of anticipation and more. They traded blows, heading into halftime tied 10-10 then embarked on a wild second half featuring huge swings of momentum, turnovers and dramatic moments.
Even Patrick Mahomes jumped on Twitter to talk about it.
This Pitt vs West Virginia game is crazy!!! 🔥🔥🔥
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) September 2, 2022
Pitt had to flip a deficit by scoring the last 14 points of the game, putting the winning score on the board via an interception return for a touchdown. It was thrilling and well worthy of Mahomes’ commentary.
Mahomes wasn’t the only one enthralled by the game. College football Twitter was all over it.
The Backyard Brawl has far exceeded the hype. You could not script a more perfect start to the college football season.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) September 2, 2022
Everything about the Backyard Brawl tonight was a reminder of what makes college football so unique and the absolute best sport on this planet.
Rivalries matter. Play them. Protect them.
— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) September 2, 2022
Pittsburgh won the game 38-31. USC transfer Kedon Slovis overcame multiple sacks, which were mostly his fault, to finish with 308 yards and a touchdown. Konata Mumpfield played a starring role late with five catches for 71 yards.
West Virginia kept the pace in part because of the efforts of Georgia transfer and another former USC quarterback JT Daniels. He had 214 yards and two touchdowns but one critical interception. The ball came off his receivers’ hands and into those of a defender on that devastating turnover.
On the ground, CJ Donaldson was a beast with 125 yards and a touchdown for the Mountaineers.
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