BLACK FRIDAY, Pitt Style

THE BACKYARD BRAWL
November 28th 2008
Forecast: HI-40, Low 29, scattered flurries

A Photo and Video Diary of the Backyard Brawl

Arrive at Jeremiah’s house at 7:30 am, he answers the door with his BIG CITY shirt on and the Pitt Fight Song going off in the back round.








Jer goes upstairs to get ready, I turn on last years 13-9 game.
Float and his buddy Matt arrive at Jer’s house, they drove in from Columbus for the game.

Pack the car, everyone comments on how it really isn’t that cold, and that we expected much worse.

Leave for the stadium

We arrive in GOLD LOT 2, and park in our now regular VIP spot, about a pitching wedge away from Heinz Field.









It is cold, really cold. Damn rivers and the wind blowing off them. Everyone puts on an extra layer, or five if you are Jer.

We decided early in the season that Old German Premium Lager was the only way to go for a game like today's!










We get the grill ready and debate on how we are going to make scrambled eggs with no bowls, forks, milk or frying pan. We improvise...







We are geniuses.

Matt takes over the grill as Float blast the Pitt Marching band CD from his car stereo to much displeasure of the WVU fans sitting about seven feet from us. The Pitt Fight Song and the band’s version of Thriller seem to be on repeat. How this CD didn’t go platinum amazes me.
Finish the breakfast portion of the tailgate and as more people arrive the anti-WVU signs go up.










We notice the Pitt team walking into the stadium, we go over and cheer them on.











We hear the Pitt band march down the street, we boo them because lets face it they are the band, and they never went platinum.

I get to my seat and see my dad already there with my funcle (fake uncle) Joe and Eli. Lil Eli is there too, (I guess he is my facousin??)

GAMETIME!











Pitt gets the opening kickoff and five plays later are in the end zone for a early 7-0 lead.

After that nobody scores for a while but Pitt pretty much dominates the play, especially the defense, in a completely different way then last year. Last year Pitt blitzed all day to shut down the running lanes for Pat White and Steve Slaton, this year they rushed their four down linemen every play and that was all. Pitt line dominated the WVU line and those 4 pretty much shut down the WVU rushing attack.

END of 1st QUARTER, 7-0 Pitt

Early in the 2nd quarter Pitt QB, Bill Stull gets sacked, fumbles and gives WVU great field position. After one first down, WVU has first and goal, they are held to a FG.

I turn to my cousin and say loud enough for the cheering WVU fans in front of me to hear, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” It worked, one of them responded, “You won by 4 last year that was only worth 3” (the West Virginia Board of Education should be very proud with his math). “I’m pretty sure he missed 2 of those last year didn’t he,” I reply, “that totals 6 points.” He turns away confused and mumbles something under his breathe. I WIN!
Pitt gets the ball on the ensuing kickoff and drives 62 yards in 10 plays. They have 1st and goal at the 3 yard line, they hand it to the best back in the country, Shady McCoy, he gets a yard. 2nd and goal at the 2, a reminder, McCoy leads the nation in scoring this year, and he is still on the team and did not get hurt on the previous play. Time for Cavanaugh to get “tricky.” Cavanaugh calls for a fade pass to the corner of the endzone. This is a terrible call, but what makes it worse is that Stull throws it about 10 yards short for an easy INT. WVU ball, we get nothing out of it.

HALFTIME, 7-3 Pitt

WVU receives the opening kick of the 3rd quarter and moves easily down field. Once again, they are 1st and goal and once again they are held to a FG. I again, this time louder then the time before, say, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” I get a look back, but no comment. I still rule the section!

Pitt goes 3 and out and WVU drives 81 yards in 4 plays capped off by a great 54-yard run by Pat White. I am now not as confident. Being a Pitt fan, I've seen this before. They play a great first half and then in the second half the WVU offense comes out and blows the doors off Pitt, these games never end pretty.
2003- 24-24 at halftime, WVU wins 52-31
2005- 21-13 WVU at halftime, final 45-13 WVU
2006- 27-24 Pitt at haltime, WVU wins 45-27
TODAY- 7-3 Pitt at halftime, BOOM! WVU goes 9-0 in the first 9+ minutes of the 3rd quarter. This is not good.

After a few 3 and outs for both teams the 3rd quarter ends.

End of 3rd Quarter, 12-7 WVU

Bill Stull once again makes a terrible throw, his 20th of the game. This one is picked off once again giving WVU great field position. Pitt defense holds them to another FG. WVU kid doesn’t look back at me and I say nothing, confidence is no longer high.

Pitt gets the ball, Stull makes his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd and final terrible pass of the game, and Pitt punts the ball away.

Pat White doesn’t do much better passing, throwing his next pass to a wide open Jovani Chappel, the only problem is he plays for Pitt. Chappel returns it to the WVU 16 yard line.

Stull still in the game, but with 9:41 left in the game Wannestedt and Cavanaugh realize something that most Pitt fans have known all season. Bill Stull cannot win a football game for you, but Shady McCoy can.

1st play, McCoy up the middle for 11 to the WVU 5.
2nd play, McCoy up the middle for 5 and a touchdown.
WVU 15-13 (Pitt threw the ball on their 2-point conversion try and failed, again McCoy was available).

Pitt defense holds for a 3 and out and the Pitt offense is on the field.

1st play, McCoy for 3 to the Pitt 44
2nd play, McCoy for 9 to the WVU 47
3rd play, McCoy for 14 to the WVU 33
4th play, LaRod for (-2) back to WVU 35. He can have a seat for the rest of the game, McCoy is back in.
5th play, McCoy for 16 to the WVU 19
6th play, McCoy for 2 to the WVU 17
7th play, McCoy for 6 to the WVU 11 (face mask penalty moves it to the 5)
8th play, McCoy for no gain
9th play, McCoy for 4 to the 1
10th play McCoy for 1 and a touchdown.











Pitt 19-15…ballgame!

McCoy finished with a career best 183 yards on 33 carries. He had 13 carries for 89 yards in the 4th quarter.

On to the post game celebration!










Back at the car, lots of bowl trip planning, and lots of the Pitt Band CD.

On the way home Floats car busts a hose somewhere creating lots of smoke, this probably isn’t good. He pulls over at Moore Park, they go to the auto repair store down the street to get a part, and Jer and I stay with the car, it is REALLY cold!









Car is fixed and we are on our way to the nightcap, Pitt hoops at Mr. D’s. Jer and I go to JR’s for a beer before the game.









Pitt wins easily against Texas Tech who started the game off with a whiteout.

Back to JR’s this time with the other Dugan brother Jason.









Stayed at JR’s til it closed celebrating the Trifecta of the day in sports (Pitt football win, Pitt hoops win, WVU football loss).

Life is good.

Hail to Pitt!!