--West Virginia is now 4-1, 2-0 in the Big 12. The talk for this team always centered around how could the Mountaineers navigate the September schedule which was incredibly difficult when it was first released and it's safe to say that they did just that. West Virginia once again won an ugly football game to start 2-0 under Neal Brown for the first time. No matter what you say about how ugly this is at times, this team has definitely surpassed expectations through the first five games and now heads into a bye week with the most momentum that the program has had in quite some time. This defense is giving West Virginia a chance in every single game and the offense did just enough to outpace the Horned Frogs. A lot of people expected this game to go a lot different and it certainly didn't start well but you have to give this team credit for getting it done when they didn't play anywhere close to their best. Dating back to last year, they've won six of their last eight games and many of them haven't been pretty just gritty, tough wins. Listen, I'm not sure how good this team is but they're winning games and that's what people needed to see.
--Listen, there has been a lot of discussion and back-and-forth about this team. Stop and smell the roses for this one. We've moved the goalpost a lot on what this team needs to do or how it's looked -- well they're 4-1. Not many, if any, people thought this team would be sitting here and here we are. This team continues to play hard and makes just enough plays to get it done.
--Speaking of which West Virginia left points on the field, had some questionable decisions, dropped about five interceptions and was stuffed at the goal line but still found a way to win this game. That just hasn't been the case in the past, especially on the road. The Mountaineers have now won five of the last six over TCU including three in a row in Fort Worth. This is the first time that West Virginia has four won games in a row since they won five in 2018.
--It was a tale of two halves for the West Virginia defense as they allowed 312 yards and 21 points in the first two quarters as the Mountaineers struggled with missed tackles and contain on the quarterback run game. The second half, the Mountaineers didn't allow any points and permitted just 121 yards. West Virginia kept the Horned Frogs run game in check allowing just 35 yards in the second half and held them to 0-6 on third down. This defense really kept TCU off balance and was able to consistently get pressure with 5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss.
--TCU moved the ball deep into West Virginia territory on five of six drives in the first half with three touchdowns, a field goal miss and downs. In the second half, TCU had consecutive drives end in punts with only 11 yards and then stood tall and blocked two field goals. This defense earned it.
--Lee Kpogba was everywhere in this game with 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries. His ability to get pressure really helped the Mountaineers in the second half and he was dependable outside that one missed interception opportunity. Same can be said for Beanie Bishop who finished with 9 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
--Chandler Morris was 23-41 for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns and was visibly frustrated at times. This offense was playing very good football coming into this game and the Mountaineers came in and frustrated them and bullied them at times.
--The West Virginia defensive line has been a strength all season and was again today. Mike Lockhart just makes two-three flat out effort plays that pop every single week and he got his mits up to block one of the two field goals in this game. Sean Martin got the other one. Tomiwa Durojaiye, Eddie Vesterinen and Fatorma Mulbah among others all played a role in this one. Durojaiye is really exciting as a transfer and brings a pass rushing element up front that is only going to continue to get better.
--West Virginia was 2-3 in the red zone, while TCU was 0-1. The one misfire by the Mountaineers certainly hurt as they were stuffed at the goal line, but this team continues to grit games out.
--Special teams was once again a difference maker. West Virginia blocked two field goals, allowed just 1 yards in punt returns, while they had 32 return yards by Preston Fox. There was the one questionable false start on a field goal, but penalties were once again a major difference as well as the Mountaineers were tabbed with just 2 for 10 yards, while the Horned Frogs had 7 for 39. West Virginia hadn't blocked a field goal since 2020 and did it twice tonight. Michael Hayes continues to impress as well with another long field goal to give the Mountaineers the lead for good. And Oliver Straw averaged 46 yards per boot with a long of 58 and 3 inside the 20.
--It was the first time West Virginia had blocked two kicks in the same game since Boston College in 2002.
--West Virginia is now 22-5 when rushing for 100-yards under Neal Brown. The Mountaineers finished this one with 201 yards. This team wants to run the football and be physical. The Mountaineers didn't turn the ball over yet again and doesn't try to beat themselves.
--West Virginia had 15 less plays but held the ball for almost seven more minutes.
--West Virginia completed only 10 passes in this game, but went for 142. The Mountaineers had their first 30-yard completion against an FBS team since the opener against Penn State. And there were some really tough catches from EJ Horton, Kole Taylor and Hudson Clement. It's definitely a work in progress here, but Garrett Greene seems to bring more juice to the passing game once he was able to settle in and guide the offense. He has to continue to improve but there were some positives, too. West Virginia is going to need those guys to continue to get better because they need guys to get open and make plays.
—Tough night for injuries all around and you hope they’re OK although it didn’t look good for some. Still, this team showed a lot of mental toughness overcoming that not once but twice.
--The Mountaineers now get a week off and will play a Houston team on the road after the bye that got beat 49-28 by a team that the Mountaineers just held to 13-points in Texas Tech. Injuries are going to be a concern so West Virginia has to get healthy in a hurry but right now the Mountaineers have a real chance to push their record to 5-1.
--Listen, there has been a lot of discussion and back-and-forth about this team. Stop and smell the roses for this one. We've moved the goalpost a lot on what this team needs to do or how it's looked -- well they're 4-1. Not many, if any, people thought this team would be sitting here and here we are. This team continues to play hard and makes just enough plays to get it done.
--Speaking of which West Virginia left points on the field, had some questionable decisions, dropped about five interceptions and was stuffed at the goal line but still found a way to win this game. That just hasn't been the case in the past, especially on the road. The Mountaineers have now won five of the last six over TCU including three in a row in Fort Worth. This is the first time that West Virginia has four won games in a row since they won five in 2018.
--It was a tale of two halves for the West Virginia defense as they allowed 312 yards and 21 points in the first two quarters as the Mountaineers struggled with missed tackles and contain on the quarterback run game. The second half, the Mountaineers didn't allow any points and permitted just 121 yards. West Virginia kept the Horned Frogs run game in check allowing just 35 yards in the second half and held them to 0-6 on third down. This defense really kept TCU off balance and was able to consistently get pressure with 5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss.
--TCU moved the ball deep into West Virginia territory on five of six drives in the first half with three touchdowns, a field goal miss and downs. In the second half, TCU had consecutive drives end in punts with only 11 yards and then stood tall and blocked two field goals. This defense earned it.
--Lee Kpogba was everywhere in this game with 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries. His ability to get pressure really helped the Mountaineers in the second half and he was dependable outside that one missed interception opportunity. Same can be said for Beanie Bishop who finished with 9 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
--Chandler Morris was 23-41 for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns and was visibly frustrated at times. This offense was playing very good football coming into this game and the Mountaineers came in and frustrated them and bullied them at times.
--The West Virginia defensive line has been a strength all season and was again today. Mike Lockhart just makes two-three flat out effort plays that pop every single week and he got his mits up to block one of the two field goals in this game. Sean Martin got the other one. Tomiwa Durojaiye, Eddie Vesterinen and Fatorma Mulbah among others all played a role in this one. Durojaiye is really exciting as a transfer and brings a pass rushing element up front that is only going to continue to get better.
--West Virginia was 2-3 in the red zone, while TCU was 0-1. The one misfire by the Mountaineers certainly hurt as they were stuffed at the goal line, but this team continues to grit games out.
--Special teams was once again a difference maker. West Virginia blocked two field goals, allowed just 1 yards in punt returns, while they had 32 return yards by Preston Fox. There was the one questionable false start on a field goal, but penalties were once again a major difference as well as the Mountaineers were tabbed with just 2 for 10 yards, while the Horned Frogs had 7 for 39. West Virginia hadn't blocked a field goal since 2020 and did it twice tonight. Michael Hayes continues to impress as well with another long field goal to give the Mountaineers the lead for good. And Oliver Straw averaged 46 yards per boot with a long of 58 and 3 inside the 20.
--It was the first time West Virginia had blocked two kicks in the same game since Boston College in 2002.
--West Virginia is now 22-5 when rushing for 100-yards under Neal Brown. The Mountaineers finished this one with 201 yards. This team wants to run the football and be physical. The Mountaineers didn't turn the ball over yet again and doesn't try to beat themselves.
--West Virginia had 15 less plays but held the ball for almost seven more minutes.
--West Virginia completed only 10 passes in this game, but went for 142. The Mountaineers had their first 30-yard completion against an FBS team since the opener against Penn State. And there were some really tough catches from EJ Horton, Kole Taylor and Hudson Clement. It's definitely a work in progress here, but Garrett Greene seems to bring more juice to the passing game once he was able to settle in and guide the offense. He has to continue to improve but there were some positives, too. West Virginia is going to need those guys to continue to get better because they need guys to get open and make plays.
—Tough night for injuries all around and you hope they’re OK although it didn’t look good for some. Still, this team showed a lot of mental toughness overcoming that not once but twice.
--The Mountaineers now get a week off and will play a Houston team on the road after the bye that got beat 49-28 by a team that the Mountaineers just held to 13-points in Texas Tech. Injuries are going to be a concern so West Virginia has to get healthy in a hurry but right now the Mountaineers have a real chance to push their record to 5-1.
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