MORGANTOWN — Saturday’s Backyard Brawl against Pitt is the most anticipated game on WVU’s football schedule this season. However, some fans might struggle to watch the game this weekend.
The game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh, will be nationally televised on ESPN2, but an ongoing carriage dispute between DirecTV and Disney has kept some channels, including ESPN, dark for customers since Sept. 1.
DirecTV customers have been unable to watch the final round of the US Open, the first two full weekends of college football and, most recently, the first NFL Monday Night Football game due to the blackout. If the sides don’t come to an agreement before Saturday, customers will also be unable to watch the 107th Backyard Brawl between WVU and Pitt.
DirecTV has 11.3 million subscribers, according to Leichtman Research Group, making it the nation’s third-largest pay TV provider. DirecTV customers in Morgantown may think to simply go to one of the many restaurants around town that usually broadcast WVU games, but that too might prove difficult.
That’s because many have DirecTV rather than cable.
“I know we didn’t have (the game) this past weekend,” said Dom Guillermo, head coach at Primanti Bros. at Suncrest Towne Centre. “I’m very confident in the company that we’re working very hard to get the game for our customers. We’re exploring every possible venue.”
The carriage dispute did not affect either of WVU’s first two games — week one against Penn State was broadcast on FOX and last week was streaming only — leaving local businesses scrambling for a solution this week.
“I spoke with (DirecTV) yesterday and have been in contact daily,” said Nicole McKinney, general manager of Scorers Sports Bar & Restaurant in Westover. “They said they hope they’re close to an agreement and we can bring ESPN to our customers this weekend.”
Showing college football on Saturday and the NFL on Sunday are large draws for these local restaurants, that don’t have any control over what DirecTV or Disney do.
“We always have a busy crowd on Saturdays and Sundays for the games,” said Katy Swiger, bar manager of Buffalo Wild Wings at University Town Centre. “We were able to use over-the-air satellite to get the games so far and we have ESPN+.”
Even ESPN+ subscribers will not be able to watch the game this week if they are also DirecTV customers. Because the game is an ESPN2 product being offered by linear providers, i.e. cable companies, ESPN+ subscribers would need to authenticate their provider to be able to stream the game in the app.
In addition to all ESPN network channels, all ABC-owned stations and Disney-branded channels have been dark since the beginning of the month. The impasse has continued to heat up as DirecTV filed complaints against Disney with the FCC on Saturday.
Injuries
Defensive lineman Edward Vesterinen had to be helped off the field during Saturday’s game against Albany and was evaluated for a leg injury. His status for the Brawl is up in the air.
“If he’s not able to go, then TJ Jackson will get the start,” WVU coach Neal Brown said. “We’ll miss Eddie, we’ll miss his leadership and the motor he plays with, but we’ve got guys up there.”
In addition to Jackson, who leads the team with three tackles for loss so far, Brown said Asani Redwood and Hammond Russell IV will see their roles increase.
The only other Mountaineer to suffer a noteworthy injury on Saturday was defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley, who entered his press conference on Monday sporting stitches above his left eye.
Lesley was on the wrong end of a sideline collision in the second quarter against Albany. Lesley was closer to the field than usual arguing a penalty call with the officials when linebacker Caden Biser knocked an Albany player into him.
“Caden knocks the guy into my feet and I tried to jump,” Lesley explained. “He kind of hits my feet and my head goes forward right into his helmet … I knew right before I got this this ain’t going to be good. I could feel it bleeding and it kind of stunned me for a second.”
Lesley’s first instinct while lying on the ground was to get his headset back on and call in the next defensive play. Team doctor A.J. Monseau got Lesley to sit on the bench and was able to get him cleaned up while co-defensive coordinator ShaDon Brown took over play-calling duties.
“We talk about sudden change,” Lesley said, “I don’t think anybody expected that one.”
Lesley ended up missing two Albany offensive possessions and had to get the cut re-glued shut at halftime.
