--This game was about pride for this team in my opinion. West Virginia was three point underdogs at home to a team that was 4-6 and had lost 6 of 7 and I felt that if this team had any fight left at all they'd come out and win this game. The Mountaineers did do that to move to 6-5 on the season and 5-3 in the Big 12 so that's a positive. Going to a bowl game, while not nearly the thrill it once was, still matters. But this win against the Knights isn't going to suddenly make anybody feel better about what unfolded this year. I don't think this changes anything for those that are upset about what unfolded this season nor does it guarantee that things are going to be the same in 2025. But I think speaking from a purely team perspective, this was a must win and I was encouraged to see this team play their best all-around football game this season with all three phases working together. This team is going bowling but Neal Brown is still just 37-34 in his six years atop the program, is just 3-17 against ranked teams and hasn't beaten a team ranked in the top 25 at the end of the year. The frustration is very real but let's not let that distract from what unfolded today.
--Redshirt senior quarterback Garrett Greene only passed for 118 yards and rushed for 49, but he made some of his biggest plays in the most critical situations. The fourth down run that pretty much captured his entire career in one play where it didn't look all that pretty but it was all effort, the third down touchdown toss to Rodney Gallagher and both of the fourth down throws to ice the game. Greene isn't perfect by any means, but you can't question his effort on the field. It was a fitting way for him to go out at home.
--West Virginia didn't turn the ball over and turned the one turnover they forced into seven points. The Mountaineers also only had 30 penalty yards on 2 flags, while UCF had 8 for 58.
--West Virginia had the ball over over 15 minutes longer than UCF and controlled this game with 20 more plays. The Knights tried to make it interesting late, but it really never felt that they were challenging to take the lead. That kept the UCF offense off the field. It wasn't the most flashy effort but it was ball control and played to their strengths in the weather.
--Junior running back CJ Donaldson ran hard in this game and finished with 19 carries for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was able to break some tackles early and really got going as the best thing on offense for the Mountaineers in the first half. He really didn't hesitate in this one and it was good to see him running the ball hard.
--Hudson Clement made some big catches in this game, but he was seemingly the only pass catcher getting open at times. He had 5 for 81 in this game including the one that sealed the game, but the Mountaineers are going to need to get more out of that group.
--The jet sweep to Rodney Gallagher hasn't been a great play this year, but I loved the effort and adjustment on that slot fade. That's definitely something he wouldn't have been able to do last year and he has continued to get better but there is a lot of untapped potential still there.
--Don't think this was the best game for the offensive line as they struggled with pressures and gave up three sacks and 9 tackles for loss. The Mountaineers weren't able to hit some big plays because the Knights were able to get to the quarterback.
--The 118 passing yards is the lowest in a win since beating Texas Tech (99 passing yards) last year. But it's the first time the program has won throwing for that few of yards in a non-Nicco Marchiol start or being thrust into the game since beating Baylor in 2016.
--UCF had some drives at the end of the game where they moved the ball better but thought the defense did a good job today. I thought they set the tone on the first drive with a three and out. It wasn't perfect but felt they did a better job getting off blocks and tackling at times than last week. RJ Harvey made some plays and there was the one open 45-yard touchdown pass, but defenders seemed to be in their right spots and challenge the Knights. The finished with 348 yards but only 21 points although some of that yardage came when the Mountaineers wanted them to run the clock. I thought they really made Dylan Rizk uncomfortable at times in this game which was good to see.
--West Virginia dominated the game on special teams. Preston Fox had two kick returns for 78 yards, Oliver Straw boomed the ball with an average of 50 yards per punt and two pinned inside the 20 and Michael Hayes made his lone field goal and held the Knights to just 30 yards on two kickoff returns. This was the bounce back that the Mountaineers wanted to see and it played a big role. They were +11 in field position and started at their own 35.
--West Virginia was 8-18 on third down, but a perfect 4-4 on fourth. Some of those weren't easy either and when they had to make plays they made them. But perhaps even more impressively, the defense held UCF to 4-11 in those same situations.
--It's a good finish at home for a senior class that has meant a lot to this program. This isn't the season that the Mountaineers wanted, but it is good to close this out at home with a win. The Mountaineers are now 4-0 against the Knights and 2-0 since they became league members.
--The Mountaineers now will hit the road to take on Texas Tech in a game that could make the season a little easier to digest if they can win it. The Red Raiders will be 7-4 on the year and looking to win their eighth game while West Virginia hopes to finish with six wins in the league for the second year in a row.
