There was plenty of reason to celebrate Saturday after WVU’s win against a school that rarely makes appearances this far East. The throttling of BYU not only gives WVU a chance for a Bowl bid, but also showed the depth of a running back room that can lead the charge to a few more wins before seasons end. It also keeps WVU in the conversation for a run at the BIG XII Title Game. With three games left, and two on the road including a trip to Norman, Oklahoma, it is up to the backfield to keep the foot on the gas for the remainder of the year.

In front of a crowd of 50,276 fans, WVU would receive the opening kickoff. After an 11 play 75 yard drive that chewed up 5:01, WVU power back, CJ Donaldson, would find the end zone on a 2 yard touchdown to take the lead 7-0 with 9:59 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing drive for BYU, they would find themselves in a 4th an 2 situation.

BYU would attempt to go for it, but failed, giving the ball back to WVU on the 48 yard line. This would be a hurry up drive for WVU that would end in another CJ Donaldson touchdown of 1 yard. The score was now 14-0 with WVU in front of BYU with 6:17 left in the 1st quarter. It would be a 5 play 52 yard drive that took 1:50 off the clock.

After a BYU punt, Donaldson would find some open space for a nice 23 yard gain, but WVU would eventually be forced to punt for the first time in the game with 10:47 left in the 2nd quarter.

WVU would force another punt and settle for a 46 yard field goal to go up 17-0. The next WVU drive would again result in six, with WVU QB Garrett Greene finding Sophomore Preston Fox for a 12 yard TD pass to put the Mountaineers up 24-0 with 2:18 left in the first half.

BYU would fumble and give the ball to WVU on the 18 yard line. Senior standout Devin Carter would make great grab for a gain of 38 yards to place the ball at the 37 yard line with 25 seconds left in the 1st half. WVU would again settle for a field goal of 21 yards to make the score 27-0 at the half in favor of the Mountaineers. The possession for WVU would only last just over a minute, but saw a 9 play drive.

BYU would receive the 2nd half kickoff and take it 91 yards for a score, only to be negated by a holding call. WVU would again force another punt, and in return, march down for another field goal of 23 yards to make the score 30-0 with 10:35 left in the 3rd quarter. Both teams would fail to convert on 4th downs as the 3rd quarter was an uneventful one for the most part, except the fact that Greene would somehow find a small window to get the ball to WVU Tight End Cole Taylor for a 43 yard TD.

This would make the score 37-0 with 6:39 left in the 3rd quarter.

A drive of 7 plays, and 85 yards that ate up 4:14 off the clock.

BYU would cancel the shutout in the 4th quarter when Aidan Robbins would get into the end zone on a 10 yard rush for a TD, making the score 37-7 in favor of WVU. This score would be your final in Morgantown, WV.

At the very least WVU has a two headed monster on their hands; CJ Donaldson can be the downhill thunder runner, while Jahiem White can be your elusive lightning. If Neal Brown can split the carries like he did against BYU, he can lessen the workload for CJ, and keep him healthy. Jahiem White deserves to carry the ball 16-18 times a game, and has reserved the right to do so with an impressive 16 carries for 146 yards.

Both backs had over a 100 yards o the night, but we cannot get ahead of ourselves. BYU can’t move the ball on offense, and has trouble stopping a high powered running game. You can’t judge too much off of this win. BYU’s starting QB was a guy that hasn’t even played this year. The real test will come against a hungry team in Oklahoma that will want to take a BIG XII title with them when they bolt next year.

They have also lost 2 straight games, and will be primed and pissed off having done so.

There is no reason why WVU couldn’t come away with an 8 win season this year, possibly 9 if they win against Oklahoma this Saturday evening. Wins against Cincinnati at home, and Baylor on the road could boost the morale heading into next season, and cool that Neal Brown hot seat as well.

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