WVU opens Big 12 play against KSU

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen has his team at 3-0 entering the Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas State and could be somewhat flying under the radar.

The Mountaineers have defeated Missouri and BYU in the out of conference portion of the schedule but has yet to break into either of the major polls. But Holgorsen isn’t worried.

“We worry about what we can control which is going out there and doing our best on Saturday to try and win games,” he said.

When asked if he believes his team was a contender in the perceived wide-open race in the Big 12 Conference and he didn’t hesitate to say that West Virginia was although they still need to improve in multiple areas moving forward.

“I think our team believes that,” Holgorsen said.

Senior quarterback Skyler Howard is coming off a game where he completed 31-40 attempts for 332 yards and a touchdown and his play has been a major catalyst for the early success of the Mountaineers. Holgorsen said after watching the film from last week compared to the Kansas State game a season ago, it has been night and day for the signal caller in regards to his play on the field.

“He looks a lot better,” he said.

Through three games the West Virginia offensive line has allowed only one sack, but that sack is one that Holgorsen questions because Howard was able to get back to the line of scrimmage. Protection was an issue at times last year but Holgorsen credits the improvement to what the offensive line has been able to do providing Howard time to scan the field and the senior’s ability to get the offense into the right play and the football out of his hands.

Offensive coordinator Joe Wickline was brought in during the off-season to help in the area of widening the pocket and that also has been key alongside offensive line coach Ron Crook.

“Wick oversees things,” he said.

Kansas State is much of the same team that the Mountaineers have become accustomed to since joining the Big 12 Conference as a tough-gritty team that is physical on both sides of the ball. The offense is triggered by junior quarterback Jesse Ertz, who would have been the starter last season prior to an injury sidelined him.

“He’s been there for a while. He understands what they’re trying to do,” Holgorsen said.