--Let's just make it clear, this is the biggest win of the Neal Brown era for West Virginia. A team that has had its share of heartbreak and injuries, overcame it all on the road to beat No. 24 Kansas State 24-20, the fourth consecutive win over the Wildcats. Baylor was the almost game on the year and the Mountaineers put it all together and steal a win from an experienced Wildcats in their own building. We might look back at this game as when things changed for this program and the trust the climb mantra proved itself on the field today. This team didn’t quit and that is the type of attitude that is going to play in the future as this team grows up and players mature. This is the first win over a ranked team on the road since the 42-41 triumph over Texas last season.
--I want to lead this off with a plug for this defense. The Mountaineers gave up 421 yards, but allowed only 20 points and if you take out the busted first-play with a 68-yard touchdown this was every bit as impressive as the Baylor performance. This team held Kansas State to a pair of field goals in the red zone, when they came into the game scoring touchdowns on 30 of 38 trips. This team allowed only one touchdown after the opening bust and picked off Skylar Thompson twice after he only threw one all year coming into the game. The Mountaineers had 2 sacks and 9 tackles for loss and for the most part made things difficult for them running the ball. This is a young group that had even more injuries in this game but bouncing back after allowing five touchdowns on the first five drives a week ago it's a great sign.
--This team got off the field on a critical fourth down in the fourth quarter and then recorded an interception on the final drive of the game. But up to that point, the defense deserved a lot of credit for making the Wildcats earn it and eat up a lot of the clock.
--Kansas State rushed for only 3.2 yards per carry. That is a win for this defense. The defense was +19 in total plays and almost +10 in time of possession so the defense had to earn this The only bad thing I can point to is that the Wildcats converted 8-17 on third down and many of those were long attempts as the average was 8.3 to go in those situations. But you’ll take it with a win.
--Also want to point how how well West Virginia did with open field tackling today.
--Junior quarterback Jarret Doege was 20-30 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions and so obviously he played well in the first half. Two of his touchdowns were entirely based on his ability to extend the play and then keep his eyes down the field for connections. The touchdown toss to Bryce Wheaton was something that the Mountaineers haven't really had all season as he was able to get out of the pocket, keep his eyes downfield and deliver a ball to a wide open receiver due to busted coverage. But that element was big in this game and while it was always the plan to redshirt him, you can see why there has been so much excitement here. The thing that has stood out to me since first seeing him is just looks like he's done it before and he remains collected. That was apparent today as it's going to be hard to not imagine him the starter next year.
--On third down, Doege was 7-10 for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns. Four more first downs, so he was efficient in the highest leverage situations.
--Now it wasn't all beautiful on offense, the Mountaineers still punted 6 times, rushed for only 85 yards and were 4-12 on third down but when you win does it even matter? Still, this team has some serious issues up front but there were some things to like in this one, too. The offense didn't turn the ball over and while it did hurt itself at times, they were able to overcome it.
--Senior George Campbell has 14 catches on the season and a total of six of those have been for touchdowns. That is unreal and he has only continued to develop as a wide receiver that is really picking up the slack with the injuries at the position.
--Can’t say enough that Josh Growden’s punt to pin the Wildcats 92-yards away inside the ten was a critical play in this game and exactly why you bring him onto the team.
--Junior safety Sean Mahone was everywhere in this game with 9 tackles and a sack. He had 15 tackles last week and has just gotten better and better in this year.
--Penalties were an issue in this one with 8 for 70 yards and many of them were in critical situations that killed drives. That must get cleaned up.
--How big was the kick from Casey Legg? After misfiring badly on a 37-yarder, he stepped up and drilled an all-important 51-yard kick that made the Wildcats have to try to score a touchdown on the final possession instead of attempting a field goal.
--West Virginia snaps a five game losing streak and now sits at 4-6 with two games left. Is a bowl game possible? Sure, but just getting this type of win can help set the tone heading into the off-season.
--I want to lead this off with a plug for this defense. The Mountaineers gave up 421 yards, but allowed only 20 points and if you take out the busted first-play with a 68-yard touchdown this was every bit as impressive as the Baylor performance. This team held Kansas State to a pair of field goals in the red zone, when they came into the game scoring touchdowns on 30 of 38 trips. This team allowed only one touchdown after the opening bust and picked off Skylar Thompson twice after he only threw one all year coming into the game. The Mountaineers had 2 sacks and 9 tackles for loss and for the most part made things difficult for them running the ball. This is a young group that had even more injuries in this game but bouncing back after allowing five touchdowns on the first five drives a week ago it's a great sign.
--This team got off the field on a critical fourth down in the fourth quarter and then recorded an interception on the final drive of the game. But up to that point, the defense deserved a lot of credit for making the Wildcats earn it and eat up a lot of the clock.
--Kansas State rushed for only 3.2 yards per carry. That is a win for this defense. The defense was +19 in total plays and almost +10 in time of possession so the defense had to earn this The only bad thing I can point to is that the Wildcats converted 8-17 on third down and many of those were long attempts as the average was 8.3 to go in those situations. But you’ll take it with a win.
--Also want to point how how well West Virginia did with open field tackling today.
--Junior quarterback Jarret Doege was 20-30 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions and so obviously he played well in the first half. Two of his touchdowns were entirely based on his ability to extend the play and then keep his eyes down the field for connections. The touchdown toss to Bryce Wheaton was something that the Mountaineers haven't really had all season as he was able to get out of the pocket, keep his eyes downfield and deliver a ball to a wide open receiver due to busted coverage. But that element was big in this game and while it was always the plan to redshirt him, you can see why there has been so much excitement here. The thing that has stood out to me since first seeing him is just looks like he's done it before and he remains collected. That was apparent today as it's going to be hard to not imagine him the starter next year.
--On third down, Doege was 7-10 for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns. Four more first downs, so he was efficient in the highest leverage situations.
--Now it wasn't all beautiful on offense, the Mountaineers still punted 6 times, rushed for only 85 yards and were 4-12 on third down but when you win does it even matter? Still, this team has some serious issues up front but there were some things to like in this one, too. The offense didn't turn the ball over and while it did hurt itself at times, they were able to overcome it.
--Senior George Campbell has 14 catches on the season and a total of six of those have been for touchdowns. That is unreal and he has only continued to develop as a wide receiver that is really picking up the slack with the injuries at the position.
--Can’t say enough that Josh Growden’s punt to pin the Wildcats 92-yards away inside the ten was a critical play in this game and exactly why you bring him onto the team.
--Junior safety Sean Mahone was everywhere in this game with 9 tackles and a sack. He had 15 tackles last week and has just gotten better and better in this year.
--Penalties were an issue in this one with 8 for 70 yards and many of them were in critical situations that killed drives. That must get cleaned up.
--How big was the kick from Casey Legg? After misfiring badly on a 37-yarder, he stepped up and drilled an all-important 51-yard kick that made the Wildcats have to try to score a touchdown on the final possession instead of attempting a field goal.
--West Virginia snaps a five game losing streak and now sits at 4-6 with two games left. Is a bowl game possible? Sure, but just getting this type of win can help set the tone heading into the off-season.
