Mountaineer fans, get ready! As the anticipation builds for the revival of the legendary “Backyard Brawl,” onlineuniforms.net is excited to bring you exclusive details on the West Virginia University (WVU) football team’s special edition “Country Roads” Nike uniforms. These unique Pitt Uniforms are set to make their debut when the Mountaineers face off against the Pitt Panthers at Heinz Field on Thursday, September 1st, marking the 105th chapter in this historic rivalry.
A Uniform Paying Homage to West Virginia’s Heritage
For this highly anticipated matchup, WVU will sport a striking white road uniform, complete with a white helmet, jersey, and pants, all accented with the iconic gold and blue of the Mountaineers. But these aren’t just your standard away-game uniforms. These pitt uniforms tell a story.
The design intricately incorporates a roadmap of Interstate 79 and the numerous country roads that crisscross the Mountain State. This unique pattern is subtly embedded within the blue striping on the pants, jersey sleeves, numbers, and even the helmet, creating a visually appealing and meaningful tribute to West Virginia’s landscape.
Adding another layer of detail, the wider gold and blue stripes on the pants are designed to mimic the center line markings on the roads that fans travel to support their Mountaineers. This clever touch further reinforces the “Country Roads” theme and the connection between the team and its dedicated fanbase.
Iconic WVU Elements and a Nod to Tradition
These special pitt uniforms don’t just celebrate the state’s roads; they also proudly display WVU’s athletic identity. The helmet prominently features the “Flying WV” logo, placed within the outline of the state of West Virginia. This same logo is repeated on the pants and jersey, ensuring brand consistency and team pride.
Inside the jersey’s neck, fans will find the words “Cue Country Roads,” a heartfelt homage to one of college athletics’ most cherished traditions – the singing of “Country Roads” by John Denver at Mountaineer games. This detail adds an emotional and sentimental touch to these already special pitt uniforms.
Celebrating the Renewal of the Backyard Brawl
These WVU pitt uniforms are a one-game special edition, crafted by Nike to commemorate the renewal of the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry. After an 11-year hiatus, the return of this game is a significant event for both universities and college football as a whole. The white road uniform was a collaborative effort, designed in-house by WVU Athletics in partnership with Nike representatives.
The underlying theme behind these pitt uniforms is the strong bond between the Mountaineers and their fans, who, regardless of distance, can always find a country road to lead them home to WVU.
Official Statements on the Special Uniform and Rivalry
“The football series with Pitt is one of the oldest and best rivalries in college football,” said WVU Director of Athletics Shane Lyons. “There was great sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two schools to get this game back on the schedule. The game is a win for both schools, and we took this opportunity to showcase the renewal with a special uniform that not only highlights the country roads of West Virginia, but the proximity between the two universities connected by Interstate 79.”
WVU coach Neal Brown also expressed his enthusiasm: “It will be neat for our players to wear this special edition Country Roads uniform and to experience the rivalry with Pitt. This game is good for college football, and I know our players and coaches are looking forward to visiting Heinz Field and renewing this historic game.”
A Rivalry Rekindled
While Pitt holds the overall series lead at 61-40-3, West Virginia has dominated recent history, winning 16 of the last 26 encounters. From 1943 to 2011, the “Backyard Brawl” was an annual tradition, with WVU holding a 25-20-2 record in the final 47 years of that stretch. When the rivalry paused in 2011, WVU was on a three-game winning streak against the Panthers.
The stage is set for an electrifying game, made even more special by these commemorative pitt uniforms. Don’t miss the Mountaineers as they take on Pitt in the “Backyard Brawl,” sporting their unique “Country Roads” uniforms!
For fans looking ahead, WVU’s home season kicks off on September 10th against Kansas. Season tickets are available at WVUGame.com, offering a savings over single-game ticket prices. The home schedule includes exciting matchups against Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, Kansas State, and Towson.
