West Virginia University Football Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

November 5, 1891: Birthday of "Greasy" Neale

During the teens, “Greasy” Neale became one of the early stars of pro football, playing for the Canton Bulldogs alongside the great Jim Thorpe. He also played Major League baseball for nine years and hit .357 for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series. Neale coached football at several colleges, including a three-year stint at West Virginia University in the early 1930s. He achieved his greatest coaching success with the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles during the 1940s. He won back-to-back championships with the Eagles in 1948 and 1949. He also was a football innovator, developing the “naked reverse,” the five-man defensive line, and man-to-man pass defense. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. “Greasy” Neale died in 1973, just days before his 82^nd birthday.

Pitt and West Virginia to Resume 'Backyard Brawl' in 2022

The Backyard Brawl is back on. Pittsburgh and West Virginia have agreed to renew one of the oldest rivalries in college football.

The former Big East schools separated by 80 miles will meet four times beginning in 2022, when the Mountaineers visit Heinz Field to face the Panthers.

Pitt will host West Virginia in 2022 and 2024, with the Panthers traveling south in 2023 and 2025.

The two teams met 104 times between 1895 and 2011 before Pitt’s move to the Atlantic Coast Conference and West Virginia’s switch to the Big 12. The Panthers lead the all-time series 61-40-3, including a 13-9 upset in 2007 that ruined the Mountaineers’ shot at playing in the BCS title game.

WVU Football Set to Improve on Last Year’s 7-6 Record

The West Virginia University football team is 1-0 after a win last week over Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers hope to turn the early win into a successful season.

A year after finishing 7-6, including a loss to Texas A&M in the Liberty Bowl, the Mountaineers are hoping last Saturday’s 44-0 win over Georgia Southern is a sign of things to come. WVU limited Georgia Southern to 224 yards of offensive output. The Mountaineers on the other hand went for 544 total yards. Head Coach Dana Holgorsen said WVU should be even more prepared for Liberty University because both teams run a similar offense.

“What we do offensively is a heck of a lot more similar to Liberty than Georgia Southern,” Holgorsen said. “They pose some pro-style challenges with good personnel. They’re good up front and they have a great quarterback who can make the throws and they got one great receiver and some quality receivers with some running backs as well, but that’s kind of what we do too.”

The Liberty Flames are coming off a 32-13 victory over Delaware State last weekend in their opener. Liberty plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, whereas teams like WVU and Marshall play in the Football Bowl Subdivision. It’s a difference that Holgorsen said doesn’t matter on game day.

“It happens every year as you all know. FCS teams, if you take them lightly and don’t respect your opponent then it’ll come back to get you, it’s got to a point where I think it might happen every week,” Holgorsen said. “Last year they were 9-5 and really got on a run toward the end of the year, I think they won 7 out of their last 9 and they got everybody coming back on offense.”

The Flames and Mountaineers will kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday in Morgantown.

Nov. 5, 1891 Birthday of Greasy Neale

Alfred Earle Neale was born in Parkersburg on November 5, 1891. As a youth, he excelled at virtually every sport. On the football field, he was particularly hard to tackle, earning him the nickname “Greasy.” He went on to enjoy a spectacular football, baseball, and basketball career at West Virginia Wesleyan College. “Greasy” Neale became one of the early stars of pro football, playing for the Canton Bulldogs alongside the great Jim Thorpe. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. “Greasy” Neale died in 1973, just days before his 82nd birthday.