Second quarter proves turning point in Russell Athletic Bowl
In a season where West Virginia was able to prevail in numerous games despite penalties, stalled drives and breakdowns on defense, mistakes finally caught up to the Mountaineers in the second quarter of Wednesday’s 31-14 loss to Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
After dominating the Hurricanes in the first quarter of Wednesday’s season finale for both teams, West Virginia’s season ended in a downward spiral which was due mainly in part to its second quarter collapse.
After taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, out gaining the Hurricanes 87-19 in total yards as well as holding Miami to zero first downs, Miami flipped the switch, scoring 21 second quarter points, gaining over of 200 yards of total offense and held the Mountaineer offense to -4 total yards and no first downs in the second quarter.
“You want to win a game like this you got to play well for all four quarters,” West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “We didn’t play well in the second quarter, turned out to be the difference.”
Miami got its spark with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Brad Kaaya to Ahmmon Richards to tie the game up at seven.
From there, Miami’s defense stuffed the Mountaineers and forced five West Virginia punts in the second quarter alone. The Hurricane’s offense led by Kaaya capitalized on each possession and miscue by the Mountaineers, building a 21-7 lead going into halftime.
As things started to go south for West Virginia, fans, players and coaches seemed to have been waiting for that one spark to unite the Mountaineer rally as seen in many games this season.
This time, that spark never came.
Instead, Miami built upon its second quarter dominance, handing West Virginia its third loss of the season.
Aside from the second quarter collapse, what may have hurt West Virginia most in this game was not being able to capitalize on great field position in the first quarter and early in the second when its defense was dominating Hurricanes and the punt team led by redshirt sophomore punter Billy Kinney being able to pin Miami inside its own 15-yard line three times.
“Our punt team did a great of of pinning them down there,” Holgorsen said. “They had long fields. Then they didn’t have long fields and they made some plays.”
There were three straight drives where the Mountaineers possessed the ball inside their own 40-yard line and each of those drives ended with punts. If the Mountaineers would’ve been able to capitalize on the field position, they would’ve been able to build a more comfortable lead in the first half and kept the pressure on Miami’s offense.
The Mountaineers have lived dangerously all season but have managed to find a path to 10 wins through comeback victories and hard fought team wins most notably against Kansas State, Texas and Baylor.
West Virginia’s three losses this season have been highlighted by slow starts, mistakes and turnovers against highly talented teams that you cannot afford to make mistakes against.
Three turnovers against Oklahoma State turned into 17 points for the Cowboys which was the difference in the game. A slow start against Oklahoma dug the Mountaineers a deep hole they never overcame and penalties, big plays and not being able to capitalize on early opportunities paved the way to a Miami victory.
Though this loss comes as a disappointing end to a memorable season of West Virginia football, the Mountaineers now have an idea of what it’s going to take in order get over the hump and come out victorious against a prominent college football program like Miami and gives them something to work for in the offseason.
“We’re all disappointed,” Holgorsen said. “We faced a good opponent that was ready to play and they won.”