West Virginia, Virginia Tech to renew rivalry beginning in 2021

Virginia Tech will renew its rivalry with West Virginia starting in the 2021 season. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) By Zac Ellis The Black Diamond Trophy will be

Virginia Tech will renew its rivalry with West Virginia starting in the 2021 season. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

The Black Diamond Trophy will be up for grabs again in the near future. West Virginia and Virginia Tech have renewed their rivalry for a two-game series beginning in 2021, the schools announced on Wednesday.

The series will kick off in Morgantown on Sept. 18, 2021, followed by a meeting in Blacksburg on Sept. 24, 2022.

“During my three years as Athletic Director at West Virginia University, I have heard from legions of Mountaineer fans, particularly those in the Southern part of the state, who have expressed their strong sentiments to renew the football rivalry with Virginia Tech,” West Virginia athletics director Oliver Luck said. “This game is great for college football. We all know that the two schools have extraordinary fan bases, and both schools will be counting down the days until the Hokies and the Mountaineers meet again.

“I want to thank Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver and coach Frank Beamer for their efforts in helping to get the two teams back on the football field. It will be a great day for all involved when the rivalry is renewed.”

The West Virginia-Virginia Tech series originally began in 1912 and the game has been played 51 times since, with the Mountaineers boasting a 28-22-1 overall advantage. The two programs met every season from 1973-2005, with the '05 meeting -- a 34-17 Hokies victory in Morgantown -- standing as the most recent matchup.

“I am pleased we are able to resume the rivalry between Virginia Tech and West Virginia and have every belief that this rivalry will flourish and be good for college football,” Virginia Tech athletics director Weaver said.