WVU Football: Mountaineers May Have a Problem. Baylor Will Tell!
Unless someone heals quickly and changes are made with cornerbacks and linebackers, WVU could be in trouble.
With 25 yards gained on 25 carries in Saturday's 31-21 win over Maryland, there is no running game. The run blocking is so bad even Tavon could get nothing unless it was a pass.
Maryland beat Geno Smith up pretty bad and rattled him. Josh Jenkins is hurting, and Pat Eger is just too slow. WVU should still be fine against Baylor, but the following games are trouble.
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At Texas on October 6th. At Texas Tech the following week. Unless Alston and Jenkins heal quickly the Mountaineers could be looking at three straight losses, including K State at home.
No one can shut down Smith and Tavon Austin. While the rest of the team was getting beaten, Tavon had 13 catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
Stedman Baily and Smith just weren't quite in sync. Six catches for 55 yards and no touchdowns is an off day for Bailey.
Mitch Vingle of the Charleston Gazette quoted running backs coach Robert Gillespie: "My hat's off to Maryland. But we need every piece of the puzzle to make us the strongest. When we don't have that, others have to step up."
That would be an understatement. And it's not just the running backs. It's the offensive line too. They seem to be getting worse instead of better.
The defense was also a step slow too many times, even with Doug Rigg turning one of five Maryland fumbles for a touchdown.
The hapless Maryland offense still managed 355 total yards and three touchdowns. WVU might have added another score, if Wes Tonkery had knocked a long desperation pass to the ground instead of intercepting it on a Maryland fourth down deep in their own territory.
Instead, Tonkery intercepted it and effectively turned it into a decent punt. Sophomore mistake. The defense had some big plays but gave up too many big plays and had way too many missed tackles.
There is definitely work to be done. I hope they get it done in time.
Comments welcome and appreciated!
