Grier, WVU looking for higher percentages, better results
It’s tax season so it’s unsurprising that percentages are in focus.
Except the spotlight isn’t directly shining on numbers, instead what quarterback Will Grier and the West Virginia offense can do to maximize its potential on the field.
Grier doesn’t pause when asked what area needed to improve the most in his second year with the program. The Mountaineers have to become more efficient.
“That’s what’s been on our mind the past couple weeks. Getting in high percentage plays, I need to know better,” Grier said. “Me and (offensive coordinator Jake) Spavital need to be on the same page, down and distance and getting into efficient plays instead of trying to take a shot every play.”
The Mountaineers finished 111th in college football a season ago on third down efficiency converting only 33-percent of their attempts and often derailing productive drives more often than many would like to admit.
West Virginia finished the year in the top 20 in total offense and 22nd in scoring offense, but often couldn’t capitalize on opportunities in large part because they couldn’t remain on the field with any consistency.
A lot of that can be chalked up to not being able to maximize their chances by getting into the right play pre-snap and understanding situations as well as how to approach them.
“It’s miserable tape to watch that we’ve watched the past couple days because you’re watching all of the failures on third down,” Grier said. “But it’s good tape to watch because you can say ‘What could we have done differently?’ We’ve picked that up and tried to take it and get into more efficient plays.”
Grier has spent a significant amount of time sitting down with Spavital in order to go over situational football and because of the reduced pressure of spring ball there can be more attention paid to it.
Now after playing a full season, Grier is looking to build on a campaign that was well on its way to one of the best in program history before he broke a finger on his throwing hand.
To do that, Grier and the rest of the offense has to be more efficient and rely on plays that are going to move the football instead of trying to take the top off defenses every single snap.
“Instead of throwing the ball deep every play, make take a higher efficiency throw,” Grier said.
That also means more of a commitment to the run game, but that starts up front by getting on the same page and working as a unit. It’s not that Grier didn’t trust that aspect a season ago but it’s more about knowing what plays to go to in certain situations to have success.
“It’s more about getting in the right run play against the right looks,” he said.
It’s a balancing act because while West Virginia has to stay on the field, Grier also has shown the ability to simply make things happen when he pushes the ball vertically. The score before the half against Kansas State comes to mind and there are certainly other examples.
But efficiency and cutting down on the low percentage plays is a must. That means more eight yard throws on third down instead of ones of the 30-yard variety.
That starts at the line of scrimmage and getting into position to succeed before the ball is even snapped. That is easier with more experience as a unit.
But that also includes Grier making high-percentage decisions with his health as well. There are game-winning drives to put his body on the line and then there are first quarter situations that he has to avoid.
That means battling his competitive experience at times in order to remain upright.
"They need you out there and there are times it's not good to lay your body on the line," Grier said.
Higher percentages, higher opportunity for success.
“We’re not necessarily taking that away instead being more efficient in certain situations but still have the ability to take shots,” Grier said. “We had big play potential and a lot of explosive talent on the offense. Now we’re trying to find a balance.”
And a higher percentage.
