Instant analysis: Pitt can't overcome penalty problems, blows 10-point lead to lose 108th Backyard Brawl

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A week of pressure and preparation, combined with more than a century of hatred and hype, translated to an ugly 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl played on the gridiron.

Pitt committed penalty after penalty, stalling its own drives and extending West Virginia’s possessions. It missed a field goal with a chance to draw first blood. Eli Holstein was inaccurate, and his offensive line could neither protect him nor open up lanes in the running game. It was unforced errors on both sides of the ball that had Pitt destined for a fourth consecutive loss at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The Mountaineers were playing like the cleaner team for most of the afternoon. Pitt quickly stole momentum back midway through the third quarter and rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit. But