WVU Gains Clarity on End-of-Half Late Hit Controversy Against Pitt

To the victor go the spoils and the right to continue clarifying a controversial moment in the game, right? Five days after defeating Pitt in the 2025 Backyard Brawl, WVU has confirmation about what took place at the end of the first half.

The first half of West Virginia’s eventual 31-24 win in overtime closed with the Mountaineers clinging to a 7-3 lead. However, it also ended with Pitt committing an unsportsmanlike penalty for a late hit that ended up closing the half and ruining WVU’s chances of kicking a field goal.

At the time, the referees said that even though a half or game can’t end on a defensive penalty, West Virginia didn’t have any remaining timeouts and the final second would run off without the field goal attempt.

Obviously, this made WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez incensed. He proceeded to give the referees an earful and refuse to leave the field for an extended period of time.

WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez yells at a referee after a controversial decision in the 2025 Backyard Brawl against Pitt. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

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Now towards the end of the next, WVU director of athletic Wren Baker released a statement with his views of what happened and what he’s since heard from the NCAA.

Below is Baker’s full statement on the matter:

“At the end of the first half of the football game with Pitt, an unsportsmanlike penalty (late hit) was called against the Panthers. It has been confirmed to our staff that the rules relating to the interpretation and application of that penalty were incorrect. In an effort to preserve player safety, players cannot and should not be able to commit unsportsmanlike penalties with no consequences. Player safety should always be at the forefront of our minds. It is my understanding that all NCAA football officials were sent information this week on how the penalty should have been enforced.”

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For a related story, Rich Rodriguez jokingly offers his concern for Pitt players after enduring a rash of injuries in the Backyard Brawl.