Tag: West Virginia Mountaineers

Nov 23, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) celebrates with fans after defeating the UCF Knights at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

West Virginia brings strong Big 12 road record to Texas Tech

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia and Texas Tech are programs in search of a meaningful end to the regular season.

The Mountaineers (6-5, 5-3 Big 12) are trying to win their fourth conference road games in as many outings on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas.

Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3) will attempt to reach six conference victories in a season for only the fifth time in program history.

The Red Raiders also will try to win an eighth game in the regular season for the first time since 2009.

“We have to take advantage of our opportunities,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to take care of business on Saturday, and we’re going to go into a bowl game.

“Our expectations would be 8-4 with an opportunity to get to that ninth win.”

Texas Tech leads the Big 12 in points per game (37.4) and is second in yards per game (450.0). They are one of three Big 12 teams averaging more than 290 passing yards per game.

The Red Raiders run a fast-tempo offense which results in a lot of plays behind quarterback Behren Morton.

He completed 37 of 53 pass attempts for 401 yards with four touchdowns and an interception in last week’s 56-48 win at Oklahoma State.

Tahj Brooks is at 1,317 yards on 263 carries with 14 touchdowns.

“We’ve got to get aligned to their tempo,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. “That’s where they really feast, is they can get their tempo going. That usually happens after a made first (down) or a really positive play on first down. So, we’ve got to do a nice job of getting lined up.”

West Virgina’s offense will try to take advantage of a Texas Tech defense that ranks last in the Big 12 in scoring defense (36.3 points a game) and is second-to-last in yards allowed per game (456.2).

The Mountaineers rushed for 200 yards in last week’s 31-21 win against UCF. CJ Donaldson Jr. had 96 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Traylon Ray (7) catches a pass and is tackled by Baylor Bears linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Bryson Washington racks up 4 TDs as Baylor outscores West Virginia

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Bryson Washington’s four-touchdown day led the Baylor Bears past the West Virginia Mountaineers 49-35 on Saturday night in Morgantown, W.Va.

The sophomore running back amassed 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a 51-yard scoring burst in the second quarter He also had five catches for 59 yards, and his 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter tied the game at 7-7.

Sawyer Robertson threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns on 26-for-36 passing for Baylor (6-4, 4-3 Big 12).

Garrett Greene returned at quarterback in a big way for the Mountaineers after sustaining an upper-body injury in a loss to Kansas State on Oct. 19. Greene threw for 237 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and piled up 129 yards more yards rushing with two more scores.

The interception came in the fourth quarter with West Virginia trailing 42-28. Baylor’s Corey Gordon Jr. anticipated Greene’s sideline pass and got one foot inbounds on the catch.

That turnover ended in another Baylor touchdown, putting the game out of reach with the Bears up three touchdowns.

The Bears cashed in that turnover on a 15-yard scoring run by Dawson Pendergrass for a three-touchdown lead.

In the third quarter, West Virginia wide receiver Traylon Ray was carted off the field with a leg injury.

The teams went back and forth throughout the second quarter, ending with each team scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:13. Washington’s long run gave Baylor a 28-14 lead, but CJ Donaldson Jr. rushed 23 yards for a score with 1:47 left in the half.

Washington scored again, this time from 8 yards out, with 47 seconds left, but Greene ran 1-yards for a touchdown as time ran out in the half to get the Mountaineers back within seven at 35-28.

The teams combined for 673 yards in the first half and 55 total points. In contrast, neither team scored in the third quarter, although Baylor’s Isaiah Hankins came up empty on a 55-yard field goal attempt.

–Field Level Media

West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. (1) and West Virginia Mountaineers safety Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) tackle Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jamoi Mayes (10) in the first quarter of a college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and West Virginia Mountaineers, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.

West Virginia takes advantage of turnovers, downs Cincinnati

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The visiting West Virginia Mountaineers turned three turnovers by Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby into 17 points in registering a 31-24 win on Saturday.

Despite being outgained 436-249, West Virginia (5-4, 4-2 Big 12 Conference) won for the second straight week on the road and drew to within a game of bowl eligibility while Cincinnati (5-4, 3-3) fell for the second straight outing.

Leading 24-21, West Virginia’s Trey Lathan forced a backward pass with a hit on Sorsby and Tyrin Bradley Jr. picked up the ball and ran 14 yards for the game-clinching score with 3:30 left in regulation.

Cincinnati drove for Nathan Hawks’ 29-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining, but West Virginia recovered the onside kick to seal the victory.

West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol completed just 9 of 15 passes for 156 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Cincinnati’s Sorsby completed 25 of 36 for 279 yards, one touchdown and one interception while rushing for 48 total yards, including a 12-yard score.

The Bearcats gained the early momentum when the defense stopped West Virginia on downs on its opening drive, then marched 68 yards in 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead.

Corey Kiner capped the drive with a 2-yard run to the left outside pylon for his second touchdown of the season.

Already up, 7-0, the Bearcats were driving for another score when they faced fourth-and-1 from the West Virginia 20 early in the second quarter. Kekoura Tarnue broke free rushing Sorsby and was bringing him to the ground when Sorsby flipped the ball in desperation toward running back Evan Pryor.

West Virginia safety Anthony Wilson Jr. picked off the pass and raced 79 yards untouched for the game-tying touchdown.

On the ensuing series, Sorsby had third-and-4 from the Cincinnati 31. Sorsby took off on a scramble and had the first down when he was stripped of the ball from behind by Reid Carrico. Tarnue recovered at the Cincinnati 37. Marchiol connected on a 28-yard pass to Jahiem White to the Cincinnati 9, but West Virginia settled for a field goal and a 10-7 lead.

The game swung back in Cincinnati’s direction when Logan Wilson intercepted a pass for Rodney Gallagher III in the end zone. On the next play from scrimmage, Sorsby found Pryor all alone in the left flat and Pryor raced up the left sideline 80 yards for the score that drew Cincinnati within 10, 24-14.

Sorsby cut West Virginia’s lead to 24-21 with a 12-yard spinning touchdown run with 9:42 left in the fourth. After a Preston Fox returned the kickoff 43 yards to the Cincinnati 49, the Cincinnati defense forced a punt and got the ball back at their 6.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) looks to pass during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati take aim at West Virginia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One year removed from a nine-loss season, Cincinnati will look to become bowl eligible on Saturday afternoon when it hosts West Virginia in a Big 12 matchup.

The Bearcats (5-3, 3-2) have turned their fortunes around behind quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The transfer from Indiana University is being considered for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

Sorsby has thrown for 2,108 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games, with just four interceptions. The redshirt sophomore is third in the Big 12 in passing yards and second in total touchdowns with 21 (six rushing).

The Bearcats are coming off their second bye week of the season and used it to deal with several injuries, including one to starting right guard Luke Kandra (leg).

“We’ll know more about Kandra as we get out there (this week), Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. “But I feel like we’re trending in the right direction with him, as well as (Gavin) Gerhardt, who was banged up a little, bit but he’s back; he was back Sunday. I feel like we’re back to about full strength across the board, which would be helpful.”

The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2) enter the game looking to go over the .500 mark and move within one game of becoming bowl eligible. West Virginia also is coming off a bye week after recording a 31-26 win at Arizona on Oct. 26.

The Mountaineers are led by quarterback Nicco Marchiol, who threw a 54-yard touchdown to Traylon Ray in the win over the Wildcats. The touchdown was West Virginia’s longest pass play of the season.

“He played really under control,” coach Neal Brown said of Marchiol. “He didn’t do anything that hurt us, and I mean that in the most positive way. We put a lot on him in our read game. We struggled with our snaps, and I thought he did a great job of catching the football, which should be a given, but he had to make some difficult catches, and I thought he handled that.”

The Bearcats will look to avenge last year’s 42-21 loss to the Mountaineers in West Virginia.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Hudson Clement (3) catches a pass and runs for extra yards during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

West Virginia comes from behind late to beat Kansas

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Garrett Greene threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Gallagher III with 26 seconds left as West Virginia rallied for a 32-28 victory over Kansas in the Big 12 opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Morgantown, W. Va.

The Mountaineers overcame a late 11-point deficit behind two scoring passes from Greene. The first was an 8-yard scoring pass to Kole Taylor with 3:27 left and was followed by a trick play two-point conversion throw from Traylon Ray to Taylor as West Virginia moved within 28-25.

Greene rushed for one touchdown in addition to the two passing scores. He was 15-of-30 passing for 295 yards and was intercepted twice for West Virginia (2-2, 1-0 Big 12).

Jahiem White rushed for a touchdown and Hudson Clement had seven receptions for 150 yards for the Mountaineers.

Kansas star Devin Neal rushed for 110 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries while recording his fourth straight 100-yard outing this season. It also is the 16th of his career, leaving him one behind the school mark held by Tony Sands (1988-91).

Jalon Daniels completed 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Jayhawks (1-3, 0-1), who also blew a fourth-quarter lead in last week’s loss to UNLV.

Luke Grimm caught a touchdown pass and scored on a reverse for Kansas. Daniel Hishaw Jr. added a rushing score.

After the Mountaineers’ go-ahead score, Kansas reached the West Virginia 39-yard line before Tyrin Bradley’s strip sack of Daniels. Bradley recovered the ball for the Mountaineers with eight seconds left to seal it.

The game was temporarily halted by a lightning-related weather delay that lasted just shy of two hours. Kansas led 21-17 when it was stopped with 10:43 remaining.

Just over five minutes after the resumption of play, Grimm took a reverse and cruised for a 32-yard scoring run to give Kansas an 11-point advantage.

Kansas scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 21-17 lead.

Daniels tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to Grimm to knot the score at 14 with 9:08 left.

Michael Hayes kicked a 40-yard field goal to put the Mountaineers back on top with 7:03 remaining. The Jayhawks responded with Hishaw’s 11-yard scoring run with 4:30 left in the period.

West Virginia led 14-7 at halftime on scoring runs by White and Green. Neal rushed for the Kansas touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back CJ Donaldson Jr. (4) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Allar, No. 8 Penn State have little trouble dispatching West Virginia

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Drew Allar threw for three second quarter touchdowns and 216 yards Saturday as No. 8 Penn State opened its season with a 34-12 road drilling of West Virginia in Morgantown.

Allar was 11 of 17 for the Nittany Lions, which shrugged off a slow start to outgain the Mountaineers 457-246. Not even a storm delay of more than two hours, which resulted in some flooding at Mountaineer Field during an extended halftime, could help the home team.

Garrett Greene hit on 15 of 28 attempts for 161 yards for West Virginia, which struggled to run the ball and convert on third down. The Mountaineers gained only 85 yards on 37 rushes and made just 4 of 14 third downs.

After a scoreless first quarter that saw Penn State possess the ball for less than five minutes, Allar cranked up his arm. He hooked up with Harrison Wallace on passes of 18 and 14 yards before their 50-yard scoring connection on the first play of the second period.

Allar made it 13-0 just over five minutes later, completing a 71-yard drive with a short pass to Kaytron Allen that the running back turned into a 20-yard touchdown. West Virginia pulled within 13-6 on field goals of 38 and 39 yards by Michael Hayes.

However, the Mountaineers’ momentum was blunted when Allar followed a 55-yard strike to Omari Evans by hitting Wallace with an 18-yard score with six seconds remaining in the half for a two-touchdown advantage at the break.

The Nittany Lions made it 27-6 on the first drive of the second half as Nicholas Singleton broke a 40-yard run for six points, the highlight of his 114-yard game.

West Virginia got into the end zone with 12:49 left in the game on a 1-yard run by CJ Donaldson. But backup quarterback Beau Pribula capped the Penn State scoring with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Warren with nine minutes remaining.

Wallace collected 117 yards on five receptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) in action during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia’s defense stuffs North Carolina in Mayo Bowl

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Lee Kpogba’s 12 tackles led the West Virginia defense as the Mountaineers defeated North Carolina 30-10 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Wednesday evening in Charlotte, N.C.

The Tar Heels came into the game averaging 36.6 points per contest, good for 16th in the FBS. West Virginia (9-4) sacked North Carolina quarterback Conner Harrell seven times.

WVU quarterback Garrett Greene was 11-of-22 passing for 204 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Mountaineers with 75 yards rushing.

North Carolina (8-5) lost for the fifth time in its past seven games. Harrell was 18-of-27 passing for 199 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Neither team could generate much offense in the third quarter, but UNC’s best drive ended in an interception. Michael Hayes later gave West Virginia a 20-10 lead with a 34-yard field goal with 2:40 left in the quarter.

After forcing a North Carolina punt, the Mountaineers went 78 yards in two plays to open a three-score advantage. Jahiem White ran to the end zone from 11 yards out to give West Virginia a 27-10 lead with 12:48 left in the game. Greene opened the drive with a 48-yard run.

Hayes then connected on a 29-yard field goal to give WVU its final points.

West Virginia jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage. Greene found Traylon Ray behind the secondary and Ray ran untouched to the end zone for a 75-yard TD.

Both teams soon had drives ended by turnovers. Harrell threw an interception in the end zone to stop North Carolina’s second drive. On the Mountaineers’ ensuing possession, DJ Oliver rushed for a first down on third-and-1 and fumbled, with UNC securing the loose ball.

Harrell again moved North Carolina down the field. But a false start on fourth-and-1 at the West Virginia 6-yard line kept the Tar Heels from attempting to punch it in. UNC settled for a 28-yard field goal by Noah Burnette.

Another big play extended the lead for West Virginia. Beanie Bishop Jr. grabbed a line-drive punt on his own 22-yard line and raced up the left sideline before cutting across the field around midfield. He wound up going 78 yards for a score that put the Mountaineers up 14-3.

Harrell found J.J. Jones for a 16-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half to draw UNC within 14-10, but Hayes kicked a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the period to send WVU into the locker room with a 17-10 lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Jahiem White (22) makes the game winning 29-yard touchdown catch against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia, UNC have taken different paths to bowl meeting

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Teams often head into bowl season with different expectations and attitudes, and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl is no different. Neither West Virginia nor North Carolina was expected to be in this bowl game but for entirely different reasons.

West Virginia (8-4) was picked in the preseason Big 12 poll and head coach Neal Brown firmly was on the hot seat. The Mountaineers finished 6-3 in the Big 12, good for a tie for fourth place.

The Mountaineers are probably excited to be here.

North Carolina (8-4) had national championship aspirations and was ranked as high as No. 10 after winning its first six games. But UNC lost four of its final six games to finish 4-4 in the ACC, in a three-way tie for sixth place.

The Tar Heels probably are struggling for motivation.

“The goal is to make this an enjoyable experience for our players and to get a ninth win,” Brown said when the matchup was announced. “It’s a quality matchup, and I have a lot of respect for (North Carolina coach) Mack Brown, what he’s done during his coaching career and how he conducts his business.

“They’re one of the top 10 offenses in the country, and they’re really balanced. We know their personnel well because we recruited a lot of their guys and didn’t get them.”

West Virginia is one of the nation’s best rushing teams, averaging 234.3 yards per game, third among FBS teams. The Mountaineers spread it around, with three different backs rushing for at least 64 yards per game. Jahiem White leads with 72 yards per game. Garrett Greene (13) and CJ Donaldson Jr. (11) each have double figures in touchdowns.

The Duke’s Mayo Bowl is West Virginia’s 40th bowl appearance, including 19 in the past 22 years. This is the third meeting between the two schools, all in bowl games, with each winning once.

Maybe the mayonnaise bath that goes to the winning coach will help UNC smooth some bruised egos.

“We need to win,” Brown said. “I’d let someone hit me with a frying pan 365 days if we won. Mayonnaise is easy.”

Brown’s biggest concern will be replacing star quarterback Drake Maye, who likely will be selected early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye passed for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023, but he opted out of the bowl game to focus on his preparation for the draft.

He’ll be replaced by freshman Conner Harrell.

Harrell has appeared mostly in late-game situations. He played in four games, completing 4-of-6 passes with one touchdown. But he knows it’s his time to shine.

“This is an opportunity to prove what I can do, how I can play,” Harrell said of his preparation for his first start. “So definitely every practice, no matter if we’re in shorts or pads, every throw is an opportunity to show what I can do.”

The Tar Heels will be very thin at two other positions: tight end and wide receiver. Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver are injured and Kamari Morales is in the transfer portal. The Tar Heels will have no scholarship tight ends making the trip. The only tight end on the depth chart to have caught a pass is redshirt freshman Deems May.

At wide receiver, Devontez Walker’s departure for the NFL and Kobe Paysour’s foot injury means a lot of attention will be on UNC’s fourth-leading receiver in 2023, Nate McCollum.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia rushes for 424 yards in rout of Cincinnati

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Quarterback Garrett Greene rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as West Virginia clubbed Cincinnati 42-21 on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown, W.Va.

Greene completed 12 of 19 passes for 210 yards, but he did a good chunk of his damage on the ground, racking up 154 yards on 11 carries. He was also picked off once.

Jahiem White also had a big day for the Mountaineers (7-4, 5-3 Big 12), rushing 21 times for a career-high 204 yards and a score. He was also on the receiving end of Greene’s lone passing TD, a 75-yard strike in the second quarter.

WVU totaled 424 yards on the ground as a team.

Greene and White each ran for a third-quarter touchdown to provide West Virginia with a 42-7 lead, putting the game out of reach. Greene scored on an 18-yard run, while White had a 4-yard TD.

The Bearcats (3-8, 1-7) didn’t just roll over, though, as Emory Jones capped a six-play, 96-yard drive with a 30-yard scoring strike to Chamon Metayer to make it 42-14 with 12:29 remaining in the game.

Jones later found Metayer for another touchdown, this time a 7-yarder, with 5:11 to go to cap the scoring.

Jones threw for 166 yards and the two TDs on 14-for-24 passing. He added 56 yards and a score on 10 rushes.

Corey Kiner was held to 56 yards on 13 carries.

Cincinnati was held scoreless until Jones plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown that pulled the Bearcats within 14 with 1:32 left in the first half.

But the Mountaineers responded 52 seconds later, as Greene rushed for a 26-yard TD to send WVU into the break up 28-7.

Greene used his legs to get West Virginia on the board, rushing for gains of 22 and 8 yards before keeping the ball once again and finding the end zone on fourth-and-1 from the Bearcats 3 with 2:40 left in the first quarter.

Four plays after the Mountaineers’ defense forced a punt, Greene connected with White for the 75-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 early in the second.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Evan Prater (3) scores on a two-point conversion from quarterback Emory Jones (not pictured) against the Baylor Bears in the fourth quarter at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati still fighting, takes aim at West Virginia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Although Cincinnati will not be bowl-eligible for the first time in six years, the Bearcats aren’t ready to give up.

Coming off the first Big 12 Conference win in program history, Cincinnati brings momentum into Saturday’s clash with West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va.

The Bearcats (3-7, 1-6) snapped a seven-game losing streak and defeated Houston 24-14 last Saturday to earn the milestone victory.

Corey Kiner rushed for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 23 carries and Emory Jones completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards and a score.

While it hasn’t been the season Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield wanted, he is pleased with the perseverance his team has shown.

“It’d be real easy for them to throw the towel in and say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna play for next year,’” Satterfield said. “But our guys have continued to fight, and I love that.”

Still, Cincinnati won’t play a bowl game for the first time since 2017, when it went 4-8 under then-first-year coach Luke Fickell.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineers (6-4, 4-3) already are bowl-eligible, but coach Neal Brown doesn’t want them to take their foot off the gas — and he certainly isn’t overlooking the Bearcats.

“If you just looked at the stats and didn’t look at the win-loss record, they’re a team that’s one of the top rushing teams in the whole conference,” Brown said. “Defensively, they stop the run at a high rate, and then you look at their win-loss record. They’ve won three games and one league game.

“Really kind of a weird makeup.”

West Virginia saw a two-game winning streak come to an end last weekend when it fell 59-20 to Oklahoma. Garrett Greene threw for a pair of TDs, but the Mountaineers were outgained 644-330.

Saturday marks the 21st all-time meeting between these teams but the first since 2011. West Virginia is 16-3-1 against Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media