WVU defensive lineman Asani Redwood (2) will get off the snap throughout a sport in opposition to Pittsburgh in Morgantown. (Photo by David Pennock)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s protection had been strong by the primary three video games. Zac Alley’s protection ranked second within the nation in sacks and held defenses to little over 14 factors per sport. The protection saved WVU in video games sufficient for the lackluster offense to sneak out wins.
In the primary three video games, there was a obtrusive weak spot with Alley’s protection, although, and Kansas utterly uncovered it — the big play. Alley’s protection may go toe-to-toe with Pitt, Ohio and Kansas for a lot of the drive, however the entire sudden, the protection misses an project, doesn’t wrap up, or is out-coached and the offense breaks off for a 20-plus yard landing. Those are heartbreakers, particularly on third down.
“I thought the defense played really hard in the first half,” Rich Rodriguez stated. “Gave up one or two big plays.”
Unlike Ohio and Pitt, Kansas broke off a whole lot of big plays. On the primary drive of the sport, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels hit Levi Wentz on a 41-yard landing. Quickly, the Jayhawks had been up 7-0. That’s high quality, Alley’s protection can provide up one, or two big plays, and the offense ought to nonetheless have an opportunity to win the remainder of the sport.
It wasn’t simply as soon as, or twice. Alley’s protection gave up 4 scores of 10-plus yards and three had been of 30 yards or extra. The big play is turning into an issue for the DC.
“They made some plays and we made some mistakes that didn’t really help ourselves out any,” linebacker Reid Carrico stated. “It’s a good thing that it happened. We obviously realize we have some problems out there and they got exploited.”
Kansas is an explosive offense. After throttling WVU, Kansas averages 37 factors per sport. With Daniels, Carrico and the protection knew they needed to be on high of their sport, and the Jayhawks weren’t doing something new.
“If you didn’t have your eyes in the right spot, then they could mess with you,” Carrico stated. “At the end of the day, we knew they were going to trade, shift and motion all around, try and confuse us. A couple of times, they probably did. Credit to them.”
Carrico stated Sunday after Kansas is when WVU will make adjustments to appropriate the big play points and there are a pair areas to repair.
All collectively tackling wasn’t the perfect once more. On a few big plays, there have been missed tackles, even on the kickoff return landing on particular groups. That must be mounted simply.
Most of the big plays had been both blown coverages or mismatches. WVU defensive finish Jimmori Robinson, who was making his debut after not enjoying soccer all season, was lined up in move protection on the working again within the backfield. Robinson had no likelihood overlaying him. Kansas discovered tips on how to make WVU uncomfortable. That’s defensive play calling, so the younger DC has homework.
The Mountaineers’ protection has to appropriate the problems rapidly. Utah involves city, after which they head to Provo to play BYU, whose offense is clicking on all cylinders, and the Cougars are ranked within the Top 25. Then, WVU has a bye, which may very well be a lot wanted after a protracted stretch of high-powered offenses.
The offense additionally wants to assist out a bit of bit.
“They are a good football team and we are a good football team,” Carrico stated. “Just have to get through some of these growing pains, and learn how to win these games.”