(Graphic Illustration – Monday Morning Quarterback – WVU Football – Image rendered via the use of ChatGPT)
The dramatic win over rival Pittsburgh the earlier Saturday gave Mountaineer followers an upbeat feeling over the succeeding a number of days, however a fast reality check has tempered enthusiasm.
West Virginia was blasted at Kansas 41-10 Saturday the place it was not aggressive and outplayed in each section of the sport. There have been no positives to be discovered. None.
The protection was gashed for 262 dashing yards and gave up scoring performs of 41, 39 and 62 yards. But the Mountaineer defenders no less than had the comfort of not being as unhealthy as the WVU offense and particular groups, which have been even worse.
A first have a look at the stat sheet would point out that West Virginia had some success shifting the soccer, however the numbers have been deceptive. Of the 182 dashing yards, 115 have been from backup operating quarterbacks Jaylon Henderson and Khalil Wilkins after the Jayhawks had constructed a 34-3 lead and have been starting to deal with which tavern they have been going to rejoice after the sport. The Mountaineer operating backs really gained solely 71 yards on 23 carries.
West Virginia couldn’t go the ball both, gaining a mediocre 4.6 yards per go try (the nationwide common is roughly 7.5). Two turnovers didn’t assist.
Solid particular groups play can generally overcome deficiencies elsewhere however the Mountaineers failed on that entrance as nicely. Kansas had 167 kick return yards, together with a 30-yard punt return to arrange good area place on their first possession, and a 94 yard kickoff return for a landing to begin the second half. WVU had zero kick return yardage.
As poorly as West Virginia had performed, with simply over two minutes remaining in the first half they have been nonetheless in the sport trailing solely 10-3. But in these remaining minutes they gave up 10 factors after which the second half kickoff return. That was 17 factors in a span of two:23 clock time.
Admittedly the Mountaineers have been in a tough scenario, taking part in a highway sport after an emotional rivalry sport in opposition to a workforce that had per week off. But a 31-point blowout? Does this workforce have the struggle and resiliency it confirmed in the win over Pittsburgh, or was the consequence at Kansas Saturday extra reflective of the place we’re? With eight convention video games remaining we will see, however as of as we speak West Virginia could be favored in maybe solely a type of video games, at house vs Colorado.
THIS SATURDAY: Utah makes the lengthy journey to Morgantown additionally a bit shaken, as they collapsed in the fourth quarter Saturday in a 34-10 house loss to Texas Tech. But they’re led by Kyle Whittingham, who’s the second longest tenured coach in America who is aware of put together his workforce. They have proven they will care for enterprise on the highway in opposition to weak opponents, profitable 43-10 at UCLA and 31-6 at Wyoming.
UTAH 24 WEST VIRGINIA 10.