Defense propels WVU to win, another big challenge ahead
West Virginia’s thrilling 24-20 win over Texas on Saturday wasn’t pretty but the Mountaineers once again found a way to win in part to another gutsy performance by their defense.
Tony Gibson’s defense may have allowed 536 total yards to the Longhorns but produced key stops and turnovers when the Mountaineers needed them most.
First quarter aside, West Virginia’s offense struggled for most of the game, turning the ball over four times, three of them coming inside Texas territory and the other one coming on its own 35-yard line.
"We put (the defense) in so many bad situations and they got us some turnovers and we couldn't score," West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. "After that first quarter we were just awful.”
Of those four ensuing offensive possessions following West Virginia turnovers, the Longhorns only managed to capitalize once on a 20-yard pass from Sam Buechele to Collin Johnson following Skyler Howard’s second interception of the game.
On the other three possessions following West Virginia turnovers, the Mountaineer’s defense forced a punt, fumble and blocked a field goal.
Saturday marked the third game all season West Virginia’s defense forced at least three turnovers. The Mountaineers forced two Texas fumbles and an interception in Saturday’s win.
Though Texas gashed the Mountaineers for 218 rushing yards and 318 yards through the air, West Virginia’s defense was at its best on third down and in the red zone. The Longhorns were only 5/17 on third down and 4/6 in the red zone. The Mountaineers also held Texas to two field goals when when they possessed the ball inside West Virginia’s 10-yard line.
“I could care less about the stats,” Gibson said. “I think we’re playing at a high level right now.”
A stop on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and an incomplete hailmary pass on the game’s final play, sealed the deal for the Mountaineers.
Perhaps what was most impressive about the defense’s performance was containing Texas running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman was held to under 200 yards rushing for the first time in two weeks and averaged 295.5 yards on the ground combined in Texas’s past two victories against Baylor and Texas Tech.
“They’re fighters,” Gibson said. “I’m excited about these guys and just pleased with where we’re at.”
Looking to next week, the Mountaineers will face Oklahoma in a Big 12 showdown in Morgantown. The Sooners rank 10th in the nation in passing offense and third in the nation in total offense. Slowing down Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and wideout Dede Westbrook will be key for the West Virginia defense next week.
Gibson knows his defense will be up for the challenge and, after Saturday’s performance against Texas, the Mountaineers defense will be critical in keeping West Virginia’s Big 12 title hopes alive.
“We’re excited to play those guys. They got a great program, great tradition,” Gibson said. “I’m sure Mountaineer field will be rocking so it’s going to be exciting.”