WVU Kicker Michael Hayes is Ready for Acrisure Stadium, Backyard Brawl Environment

Like it or not, the Backyard Brawl may come down to the kicking game. While most football fans prefer skilled players to decide a game, especially a rivalry game, everyone knows a win or a loss could simply boil down to one kick.

Knowing how important his legs are, West Virginia kicker Michael Hayes will be ready if his number is called. He’s excited for the opportunity to kick inside an NFL stadium and not worried about the wind around Acrisure Stadium, something that can make it a difficult place to kick.

“I prepare the same for every game regardless of who the opponent is. This will be my first time play in that stadium. I’m excited for the atmosphere,” said Hayes at the start of the week. He also then added that he tries to be as emotionless as possible.

Hayes fully embraces a signature motto of most specialists, most notably those who have to kick a field goal with the game on the line.

“As a specialist, you don’t want the highs to get too high or the lows to get too low. I hate to say it, but as a specialist, I like to ride a straight line throughout the game.”

Hayes is well aware he might have to go up against the elements in addition to the Pitt Panthers on Saturday. But he doesn’t see the wind from the rivers as any obstacle he can’t overcome or hasn’t dealt with in the past.

“It’s windy. It’s windy here every game. As you can see on TV or at the game, that ball was moving this past weekend. It’s where we’re at. We’re up north. I’m ready for it. I know what I’m walking into,” responded Hayes when posed with a question about the conditions in Pittsburgh for kickers.

After converting 17-of-21 field goal attempts in first season at WVU in 2023, Hayes has drilled both of his field goals so far this season. Ironically enough, Hayes’ first successful field goal as a Mountaineer came against Pitt, granted in Morgantown.

On Saturday, West Virginia travels to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in the 2024 Backyard Brawl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN2.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti explains what WVU needs to do to beat Pitt in the 2024 Backyard Brawl.