’Tis the season for top-10 lists and shameless “fluff” stories to flood your feeds and hijack your algorithm. And by God, we’re not about to buck tradition here at the fastest-rising WVU sports website on the planet. Read more: Ranking the ‘Top 10’ Rich Rodriguez victories at WVU
After grinding through our Christmas wish lists for WVU Athletics – because nowhere else delivers this level of enlightened sports journalism (joking) – the editorial staff needed a breather. What better way to provide one than a trip down memory lane?
So, in that spirit, I present to you the Top 10 Rich Rodriguez wins at West Virginia University. Sit back, relax, and relive some of the biggest moments from one of the most electric eras in Mountaineer football history.
And don’t get too comfortable – there’s a strong chance we’ll be adding to this list after next season. Mark my words.
10. West Virginia 80, Rutgers 7 (2001)
Rich Rodriguez’s first season in Morgantown didn’t produce many highlights, but this one stood out like a neon sign. WVU steamrolled Rutgers 80–7, offering an early glimpse of what Rodriguez’s spread offense could become. The Mountaineers piled up 446 rushing yards, compared to just 181 passing, overwhelming the Scarlet Knights with tempo and misdirection.
The season itself was forgettable. The offensive philosophy was not. This was the first real preview of the ground-heavy, space-creating attack that would soon redefine WVU football.
9. West Virginia 31, Pittsburgh 24 (OT) (2025)
Rich Rodriguez’s return to Morgantown didn’t come with immediate fireworks in the win column, but the 31–24 overtime upset of rival Pitt felt like a turning point. In a four-win season, this was the moment that mattered most.
Related: WVU vs. Pitt game photos
Much like the 80–7 rout of Rutgers in 2001, this victory wasn’t about standings or bowl implications – it was about symbolism. Knocking off the Panthers in his first season back showed belief, edge and direction. It hinted that something bigger may be building in Morgantown once again.
8. West Virginia 21, No. 13 Virginia Tech 18 (2002)
After a slow start to the 2002 season, Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers announced their arrival with a 21–18 win over No. 13 Virginia Tech. It marked WVU’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 1998 and served as a turning point for the program.
The win helped propel West Virginia to a second-place finish in the Big East, restoring confidence and credibility. More importantly, it set the stage for the sustained success that followed over the next several seasons.
7. West Virginia 24, Pittsburgh 17 (2002)
Fresh off a program-defining win over ranked Virginia Tech, West Virginia kept the momentum rolling by taking down Pitt in the Backyard Brawl, 24–17. Doing it against a Panthers team led by Larry Fitzgerald only added to the significance.
The victory reinforced that WVU’s win over Virginia Tech was no fluke. Instead, it confirmed the Mountaineers were trending up, gaining confidence and toughness under Rich Rodriguez as the Big East race heated up.
6. West Virginia 52, No. 12 Pittsburgh 31 (2003)
The 2003 season didn’t start smoothly for West Virginia, but by the time the Backyard Brawl arrived, Rich Rodriguez’s team had found its footing. WVU steamrolled a ranked Pitt squad – No. 12 in some polls – 52–31 in one of the defining wins of the year.
The victory proved pivotal as the Mountaineers rebounded from early setbacks to eventually win the Big East. Dominating Pitt in emphatic fashion helped cement WVU’s rise and validated the direction of the program under Rodriguez.
5. West Virginia 28, No. 3 Virginia Tech 7 (2003)
This one was tough to rank, largely because it can be argued as the biggest regular-season win of Rodriguez’s WVU career. At the time, Virginia Tech was West Virginia’s fiercest rival—and the Hokies came to Morgantown ranked No. 3 in the nation.
WVU delivered a statement with a 28–7 victory, setting the tone not only for the rest of the season, but for the remainder of Rodriguez’s tenure. It was a program-defining win that announced West Virginia as a legitimate national player.
4. Statement Saturdays: Rutgers and Cincinnati (2007)
Sometimes one win isn’t enough. In 2007, West Virginia delivered statement wins against ranked Big East opponents, blasting Rutgers 31–3 and Cincinnati 28–3 in dominant fashion.
Both teams entered the games ranked, and both were quickly reminded who ruled the conference. Those wins were essential in locking up the Big East title and keeping WVU firmly in the national championship conversation. Style points mattered that season – and the Mountaineers left no doubt.
3. West Virginia 46, Louisville 44 (3OT) (2005)
The triple-overtime thriller against Louisville remains one of the most unforgettable games in WVU history. West Virginia outlasted the Cardinals 46–44, in a night that felt like the program changed forever.
It was the moment freshman Pat White took control of the offense and never gave it back. It was also when Pat McAfee burst onto the national scene with his daring onside kick that stunned Louisville. More than just a win, this game marked the beginning of the greatest era in WVU football. And when Adam Bednarik (QB) became a trivia question answer.
2. West Virginia 38, Georgia Tech 35 (Gator Bowl – 2007)
On New Year’s Day 2007, West Virginia capped a magical season with a thrilling 38–35 win over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Doing it against a Yellow Jackets team featuring Calvin “Megatron” Johnson only added to the moment.
The victory put a bow on a season that saw WVU win the Big East and finish ranked in the Top 15, further cementing Rodriguez’s program as a national force during one of the most exciting stretches in school history.
1. West Virginia 38, Georgia 35 (Sugar Bowl – 2006)
This one stands alone.
On a January 2, 2006 West Virginia delivered one of the biggest wins in program history, upsetting Georgia 38–35 in the Sugar Bowl. Because of Hurricane Katrina, the game was moved from New Orleans to Atlanta, turning it into a virtual home game for the Bulldogs. That only made the moment sweeter.
WVU jumped out to a stunning 20–0 lead, then spent the rest of the night hanging on as Georgia surged back. The tension was unbearable. Then came the call everyone still talks about – a fake punt that sealed the win and sent Mountaineer fans into disbelief.
At the time, the Big East was regularly mocked by the power conferences, especially the SEC. To beat an SEC heavyweight in its own backyard wasn’t just a bowl win – it was validation. For those of us in the building, it remains one of the greatest live sports moments imaginable and the defining victory of the Rich Rodriguez era.
