Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, and think too much about this blowout win. Will this win give the team much needed confidence going into a game with rival Virginia Tech? Of course. After Maryland, the team needed a warm up, if you may; a game to get some walk-ons, underclassmen, backup QB Garrett Greene minutes that matter. This week will be vital to cleaning up some lingering issues such as the O-line, and the running game for starters. Long Island themselves knew that the game wasn’t going to be a barn burner, but just like any other school getting to play in front of 50,000 + on a mediocre gameday in Morgantown, wanted to be competitive! But as overmatched as they were, it gave insight to short comings for WVU.

Game Breakdown: Winston Wright took the opening kickoff 90 yards for the TD setting the tone immediately. WVU would start with a hurry up offense to keep LIU off balance. LIU’s run D proved to be more stout and stubborn than some thought coming into the game. With Leddie Brown only averaging 1.6 yards per carry in the first half, everyone was expecting an explosive play out of the backfield. The task was tough the entire game, but with 6:16 left in the first quarter, Brown would find the end-zone on a one yard carry completing a 14 play 80 yard drive that ate up 5:09 off the clock. Leddie Brown would again score making the game 21-0 after the 1st quarter. Defensively, WVU could not get a ton of pressure on the LIU quarterback; forcing 4 and outs, but not getting any push off the line. The first quarter time of possession would look similar, but the total yards would be the difference with WVU 119, and LIU only managing 39. Much fuss had been made about backup QB Garrett Greene getting in the game after the struggles of Jarret Doege.

Greene would come in and get a 2nd quarter rushing TD. With more mobility, and giving WVU another dimension, it would be a given that Greene would get minutes all along. The 3rd series would prove to be a scripted package for the backup to the delight of the fans. Jarret Doege would re-appear on the field and drive WVU down for another score connecting with Sam James on an 18 yard pass. After a field goal the score at the half would be 38-0 in favor of WVU. Total first half yardage was WVU- 307 LIU- 88.

Other things that stood out in the first half were zero penalties for WVU. The 3rd down conversions were at 70% for WVU, while LIU would only convert on 30%. WVU would also convert 3 out of 3 4th downs. WVU would have 16 first downs as well. With 12:34 left in the 3rd quarter Doege would complete a pass for a TD to Temple transfer, Sean Ryan, on a 39 yard score to put WVU up 45-0. Quickly with 11:16 left in the 3rd quarter Doege would throw for another TD to Sam James to put WVU up 52-0. Garrett Greene would again enter the game and grab another rushing TD of 13 yards to continue the route making the score 59-0 with 5:59 left in the 3rd quarter. After all was said and done WVU would win by a score of 66-0. But…..(brain starts to churn)

Thoughts: As mentioned, WVU must figure out how to blow the opponent off the line and get pressure on actual FBS QB’s. These types of opponents are good for morale, getting a look at some young guys, but prove no real test for established players just padding their stats. All week long you hear chatter of wanting to start Garret Greene against LIU, and even VT. As it stands right now, Jarret Doege gives you the best chance to win. He is seasoned at the position, and will tell you himself there is plenty of items to check off his list he needs work on. Garrett Greene is a high motor guy, he is passionate, and yes, he gives you an extra dimension. But, teams can game-plan for someone like him. Having really never had the reps due to playing baseball, the “scripted packages” are what will drive him to succeed. Teams will not necessarily know how to plan for him, and when.

Jarret Doege has the better arm strength to move the ball downfield. Garrett Greene needs to improve his decision making and awareness. The vision downfield isn’t quite there yet. These will come. Having a 2 dimensional system is a great problem to have this day and age. In the press conferences afterwards, Neal Brown would all but shutdown any rumors that a change would be made in the near future pending injury.  The backup QB is always the most popular guy on a roster. Jarret Doege played very well on this day. He continues to step up in the pocket in an effort to stay vertical. But as stated earlier, we cannot get ahead ourselves. The “real” test is coming to town this Saturday. As it stands, no short leash is forthcoming.

After the game, Coach Neal Brown would speak on the bright spots of the day; Praising Winston Wright getting more patient and keeping his feet churning on special teams. He praised both Greene and Doege on their efforts. After a first half that only seen Leddie Brown average 1.6 yards per carry, Coach Brown responded “Obviously we didn’t want to get Brown a ton of work, but we would like to give him some more room.” When asked if Jarret Doege had peaked at VT during the week, not in an effort to overlook LIU he responded “I peaked at them a little, but I felt like I was doing myself a disservice in not prepping for LIU only during the week.” This is obviously the answer that you look for in your starting QB.

This week will be spent trying to clean up the gaps in play for WVU. Figuring out how to get pressure on the QB, how to spring Leddie Brown for big plays, and also how to give Doege/Greene the confidence to gather themselves and use their mental QB clock to make good decisions. A tough task it will be September 18th at high noon against a hungry Virginia Tech team that looks to renew the rivalry of the “Black Diamond Trophy”, and hold on to it for awhile longer, having held it for 6,189 days now.

Written By: Joshua Petry

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