Unlike the traffic on I-79 headed to the game, WVU would stay in their lane for 3/4 of the battle, getting a huge win against Virginia Tech. In what was seemingly looking to be a convincing win in the first half, turned quickly into a nail biter in the second. I’m sure WVU is ecstatic to bring the Black Diamond Trophy back to Morgantown for the time being, but if mistakes and bad decisions weren’t quickly put behind them, the social media buzz, locker room atmosphere, Morgantown in general’s mood would be somber to say the least. But with that said, they narrowly escaped what would have been a crushing defeat that would haunt them the rest of the season.

Game Breakdown: Virginia Tech and it’s QB (Braxton Burmeister) would open the game with a quick 20 yard completion to RB Raheem Blackshear, but immediately the WVU defense took a breath, and settled quickly forcing a punt on VT’s first possession. The first pass would have had the same result as the second play from scrimmage if Jarret Doege would not have barely overthrown Sam James down the sideline. James would hesitate to get the defender off balance springing him down the sideline. A missed opportunity that was put on the back burner after the second play from scrimmage resulted in Leddie Brown finding a gap and breaking free for an 80 yard rush resulting in a TD. It was clear that the emphasis within the game plan was to get pressure on Burmeister in this one; forcing him to remain in the pocket and not get outside of the tackle box where his ability to scramble could become an issue. WVU would again force VT to punt the ball on their second possession of the game. On the ensuing drive for WVU; Doege would find Bryce Ford-Wheaton for a 29 yard TD with 9:11 to go in the first quarter. Virginia Tech would respond with a TD of their own making the score 14-7. Virginia Tech would attempt a 4th & 1 on their next drive, but WVU would get the stop forcing a turnover on downs (which immediately swung the momentum meter in WVU’s favor).

After a couple back and forth efforts by both sides, Doege would again find Sam James for a 30 yard completion putting them in the red zone. On the next play, Doege would find Sam James again for a 16 yard TD making the game 21-7 with 7:44 left in the first half. Leddie Brown would eclipse the century mark with just under 3 minutes to go in the half. A 12 play 79 yard drive for WVU would end in a FG for Casey Legg making the score 24-7 with 1:41 left in the half. Virginia Tech missed an opportunity for three before halftime locking the score at 24-7. In the first half WVU would capitalize on 2 of it’s 2 red zone opportunities.

In the third quarter, Casey Legg would strike again with a 44 yard FG making the score 27-7 with 8:11 left in the 3rd quarter. Now things get interesting….. Virginia Tech would complete a 39 yard strike to the backup Tight End who was filling in for the injured (Pro Prospect) James Mitchell. With 0.01 remaining in the half Raheem Blackshear scampered for a 20 yard rush making it 27-14. In the 4th quarter, Jarret Doege would be stripped sacked turning the ball over to VT with upwards of 11 minutes remaining in quarter number four. Braxton Burmeister would eventually find his WR for a score making the game a nail biter 27-21 in favor of WVU with 3:10 left in the 4th. On the WVU 17 yard line, Jarret Doege made an errand throw that was picked off by VT setting them up in the red zone looking to take the lead. After a tense battle at the goal-line, WVU would eventually break up a pass at the 4 yard line finally securing the win and the rights to bring the Black Diamond Trophy back to Morgantown for the first time in 6,000+ days.

Thoughts: For me to use the phrase “They must have eaten their Wheaties” during the week would go un-noticed by the younger gentlemen playing for WVU, having more than likely never heard that phrase; But it’s true. The O-line played much better than the previous 2 weeks. They opened gaps for Leddie Brown that just weren’t there previously. The defense swarmed to the ball on every play. Tackling was better, defensive pressure was much better. These games happen at this level. Keeping the foot on the gas is key, but sometimes it slips off of the accelerator. The resilience of this bunch is what sets them apart, and for that, this should give them momentum for conference play beginning Saturday in Norman Oklahoma against the Sooners.

Written by: Joshua Petry

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