End of an era
The 31-14 loss to Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl not only marked the end to the 125th season of West Virginia football but also the end of the Skyler Howard era in Morgantown.
Less than a month after receiving a huge ovation from the Mountaineer faithful on senior day after previously making comments about the possibility of getting booed by West Virginia football fans one last time, Howard walked off the gridiron for the final time wearing the gold and blue.
“I love each and every one of these guys in the locker room,” Howard said. “It’s been a fun ride.”
Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Howard’s journey to Morgantown has been a long and winding road.
After not receiving a single Division one offer out of high school, walking on at Stephen F. Austin and then transferring to Riverside City Community College, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen managed to land Howard out of junior college.
Standing a listed six-feet tall and weighing just over 200 pounds, Howard approached each day, practice and game with a chip on his shoulder along with the mentality to prove doubters and to earn respect.
In three seasons at West Virginia, Howard was 19-9 as a starter and ranks third all-time in program history in both passing and yards produced next to former Mountaineers Geno Smith, Marc Bulger and Pat White.
West Virginia fans may have mixed views on Howard when it comes to certain areas such as his decision making and the turnovers he has given up during his time as a Mountaineer but when you look back and break it down, Howard’s toughness, leadership and determination epitomizes not only Mountaineer football but the state of West Virginia as a whole.
Those who may think too fondly of Howard may have forgotten what had happened in the first game this season when Mountaineer nation got a glimpse at what life without Howard could’ve been like.
After Howard suffered a rib injury near the end of the first half against Missouri, two of West Virginia’s backup quarterbacks turned the ball on back-to-back drives in Howard’s brief absence with a fumble by William Crest and an interception by Chris Chugunov.
This instance alone goes to solidifies Howard’s true value and stability to the Mountaineer offense and to the entire program. Without Howard, West Virginia doesn’t achieve a 10-win season.
Whoever steps in to become West Virginia’s next starting quarterback next season, which will most likely be Florida transfer Will Grier, they will definitely have some big shoes to fill in next season for the Mountaineers with Howard gone.
Though the fifth-year senior didn’t get to sing Country Roads on Wednesday, Howard is thankful he got to do so 10 times in his final season with the Mountaineers, putting a stamp on his college football career.
“If you would’ve told me a few months before the season started that were going to do that, I probably would’ve smiled and I think anybody who is a part of Mountaineer nation would’ve smiled too,” Howard said. “I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve loved it and I appreciate everything.”