--Texas isn’t a great football team, but West Virginia took care of business at home and have kept the possibility of bowl eligibility alive for this season. That might not seem like a lot, but this program really needs the momentum heading into the off-season and this was a game that the Mountaineers had to win. It was closer than it felt at times, as West Virginia couldn’t quite put Texas away but it’s the first win over the Longhorns since 2018 and it eliminates them from bowl contention as well. The West Virginia offense scored 30 points for the second time in three home games and those are the only two times that the program has done that this season. This isn’t going to erase the mistakes and miscues that have plagued this team at times this year, but at least the program is back in the win column and now has an opportunity to head to a bowl game for the second year in a row if they can get past Kansas.
--West Virginia was able to control the ball in this one and finished with 29 more plays and had the ball 17+ more minutes than the Longhorns. I do think that they needed to be a little more aggressive at times, but they controlled the line of scrimmage for the most part throughout. In fact, I’d say that this offense looked better when they turned up the tempo and was able to hit for chunk plays down the field. At times it seems like West Virginia works against itself to be more effective.
--Senior quarterback Jarret Doege certainly didn’t play perfect but it was absolutely one of his better games. There were a few misfires but for the most part he delivered a good, accurate ball and really targeted the Longhorns down the field. He did a decent job getting the football out and not taking sacks, while making some beautiful tosses at times. He finished 27-43 for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns, while not throwing an interception. He was 8-14 for 134 yards on third down in this game and 7 of those completions resulted in first downs for the offense. It’s certainly been a roller coaster of a season, but if this is perhaps the final home game for Doege he went out throwing the ball well. The problem is, even if he does return, is can we see this as a consistent effort?
--Doege completed a total of 9 passes over 15+ yards in this game and really was able to deliver the ball accurately with not much pressure in his face. The offensive line again played a much better game than it did against Oklahoma State and really for the fourth out of the last five it was much improved there. You’re starting to see signs that the group us gelling and if West Virginia can keep Doege clean when he drops back good things tend to happen in the passing game.
--Senior running back Leddie Brown ran the ball hard yet again today finishing for 158 yards and a touchdown on 33 attempts. The Mountaineers were willing to ride the senior and he responded with his best performance in a while ripping off five different runs of 10+ yards. That’s the second best rushing output from Brown this season behind the 161 against Virginia Tech.
--West Virginia is now 12-0 under Neal Brown when they rush for 100+ yards. The Mountaineers are 4-17 when they don’t rush for that total. I’m noticing a trend here.
--West Virginia dominated on third down in this game on both sides of the ball. The Mountaineers were 12-20 on offense with two of those being touchdowns and on back-to-back scoring drives when the momentum had seemingly flipped the offense converted on a third and 17 and a 3rd and 15 to move the sticks. Credit the offense on one side, while the defense held the Longhorns to 2-10 and 0-2 on fourth down. There have been times when West Virginia hasn’t been able to make plays in critical situations this season but this game that was the difference for the most part.
--It wasn’t the best game defensively but this is a beat-up group and it’s showing. There’s a lot of injuries on this unit but they battled and really were able to close the door on the Longhorns on the final two possessions. Texas didn’t even record a first down until 10-minutes left in the second quarter and while they did figure some things out this unit continued to battle.
--West Virginia’s offense was 4-4 in the red zone with 28 of their 31 points. The unit simply was able to make clutch plays in critical situations today and it seemed like the world trying to correct itself with how much they had struggled in those instances throughout the year.
--It was a wide receiver by committee in this one with several guys taking their turn to make big catches. Really, really like the look of freshman wide receiver Kaden Prather moving forward and while he dropped one he had 48 yards, while junior Winston Wright led the way with 67 yards. Due to those injuries, Reese Smith was thrown into a large role and had one of the biggest catches of the game on his third down reception to move the sticks on 3rd and 15.
--Loved the play design with Garrett Greene getting the handoff and throwing it. Perhaps, that could he a real role for him not only this year but the next? He has the speed and athleticism to be utilized in a number of spots and threw a great ball there. I equally hated the play that followed in the slow developing flea flicker that effectively killed the offensive momentum. On the bright side only two three and outs the entire game.
--Senior punter Tyler Sumpter really kicked the ball well today averaging 44 yards per boot and downing two of them inside the 20. He had one get away for a touchback but this was a consistent effort. As for kickoff, it seems one kickoff springs for yardage weekly for West Virginia and they have to result to a bag of tricks on that unit. This has to be addressed because they keep putting the defense in tough spots by giving up field position by not being able to cover kickoffs.
--It deserves to be mentioned but welcome back Isaiah Esdale catching punts.
--Thought West Virginia got some quality snaps today from true freshman Saint McLeod. He played a lot and finished with 7 tackles and a forced fumble. Arrow is up there.
--Well, it comes down to this West Virginia will travel to Kansas with a chance to earn bowl eligibility. Nothing with this team is a gimmie but when it was sitting at 2-4, there isn’t a single person here that wouldn’t have taken 6-6 given how things had unfolded. It isn’t what anybody here wants, but again you can’t change the past and you simply have to try to get what is left. There is no way to deny that this season hasn’t been a disappointment for a lot of reasons, but at 5-6 this team has a real chance to salvage what would have been a complete step back after going 5-4 in the regular season a year ago. Kansas beat this same Texas team a week ago and it’s up to West Virginia to go on the road and win to get this team some momentum heading into the heart of recruiting season.
--West Virginia was able to control the ball in this one and finished with 29 more plays and had the ball 17+ more minutes than the Longhorns. I do think that they needed to be a little more aggressive at times, but they controlled the line of scrimmage for the most part throughout. In fact, I’d say that this offense looked better when they turned up the tempo and was able to hit for chunk plays down the field. At times it seems like West Virginia works against itself to be more effective.
--Senior quarterback Jarret Doege certainly didn’t play perfect but it was absolutely one of his better games. There were a few misfires but for the most part he delivered a good, accurate ball and really targeted the Longhorns down the field. He did a decent job getting the football out and not taking sacks, while making some beautiful tosses at times. He finished 27-43 for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns, while not throwing an interception. He was 8-14 for 134 yards on third down in this game and 7 of those completions resulted in first downs for the offense. It’s certainly been a roller coaster of a season, but if this is perhaps the final home game for Doege he went out throwing the ball well. The problem is, even if he does return, is can we see this as a consistent effort?
--Doege completed a total of 9 passes over 15+ yards in this game and really was able to deliver the ball accurately with not much pressure in his face. The offensive line again played a much better game than it did against Oklahoma State and really for the fourth out of the last five it was much improved there. You’re starting to see signs that the group us gelling and if West Virginia can keep Doege clean when he drops back good things tend to happen in the passing game.
--Senior running back Leddie Brown ran the ball hard yet again today finishing for 158 yards and a touchdown on 33 attempts. The Mountaineers were willing to ride the senior and he responded with his best performance in a while ripping off five different runs of 10+ yards. That’s the second best rushing output from Brown this season behind the 161 against Virginia Tech.
--West Virginia is now 12-0 under Neal Brown when they rush for 100+ yards. The Mountaineers are 4-17 when they don’t rush for that total. I’m noticing a trend here.
--West Virginia dominated on third down in this game on both sides of the ball. The Mountaineers were 12-20 on offense with two of those being touchdowns and on back-to-back scoring drives when the momentum had seemingly flipped the offense converted on a third and 17 and a 3rd and 15 to move the sticks. Credit the offense on one side, while the defense held the Longhorns to 2-10 and 0-2 on fourth down. There have been times when West Virginia hasn’t been able to make plays in critical situations this season but this game that was the difference for the most part.
--It wasn’t the best game defensively but this is a beat-up group and it’s showing. There’s a lot of injuries on this unit but they battled and really were able to close the door on the Longhorns on the final two possessions. Texas didn’t even record a first down until 10-minutes left in the second quarter and while they did figure some things out this unit continued to battle.
--West Virginia’s offense was 4-4 in the red zone with 28 of their 31 points. The unit simply was able to make clutch plays in critical situations today and it seemed like the world trying to correct itself with how much they had struggled in those instances throughout the year.
--It was a wide receiver by committee in this one with several guys taking their turn to make big catches. Really, really like the look of freshman wide receiver Kaden Prather moving forward and while he dropped one he had 48 yards, while junior Winston Wright led the way with 67 yards. Due to those injuries, Reese Smith was thrown into a large role and had one of the biggest catches of the game on his third down reception to move the sticks on 3rd and 15.
--Loved the play design with Garrett Greene getting the handoff and throwing it. Perhaps, that could he a real role for him not only this year but the next? He has the speed and athleticism to be utilized in a number of spots and threw a great ball there. I equally hated the play that followed in the slow developing flea flicker that effectively killed the offensive momentum. On the bright side only two three and outs the entire game.
--Senior punter Tyler Sumpter really kicked the ball well today averaging 44 yards per boot and downing two of them inside the 20. He had one get away for a touchback but this was a consistent effort. As for kickoff, it seems one kickoff springs for yardage weekly for West Virginia and they have to result to a bag of tricks on that unit. This has to be addressed because they keep putting the defense in tough spots by giving up field position by not being able to cover kickoffs.
--It deserves to be mentioned but welcome back Isaiah Esdale catching punts.
--Thought West Virginia got some quality snaps today from true freshman Saint McLeod. He played a lot and finished with 7 tackles and a forced fumble. Arrow is up there.
--Well, it comes down to this West Virginia will travel to Kansas with a chance to earn bowl eligibility. Nothing with this team is a gimmie but when it was sitting at 2-4, there isn’t a single person here that wouldn’t have taken 6-6 given how things had unfolded. It isn’t what anybody here wants, but again you can’t change the past and you simply have to try to get what is left. There is no way to deny that this season hasn’t been a disappointment for a lot of reasons, but at 5-6 this team has a real chance to salvage what would have been a complete step back after going 5-4 in the regular season a year ago. Kansas beat this same Texas team a week ago and it’s up to West Virginia to go on the road and win to get this team some momentum heading into the heart of recruiting season.
