WVU trying to do more in the score zone this fall
West Virginia is trying to do more in the score zone this year.
The score, or red, zone has been an area that has been a thorn in the side of the program with the Mountaineers settling for three instead of being able to punch the ball into the end zone.
The Mountaineers finished 92nd nationally in red zone efficiency a year ago, scoring 46 times on 57 trips between the 20-yard line. But out of those scores, only 33 of those were touchdowns.
A total of 20 of those touchdowns came on the ground, while only 13 were through the air. The Mountaineers have to become more efficient when it elects to throw the ball marching towards the goal line. It’s one area that has to improve in 2017 for the offense to take the next step.
“Our pass game down there has not been good,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said.
While Skyler Howard excelled in the run game a year ago, Holgorsen admitted that his strength was not sitting in the pocket and fitting the ball into tight windows. In order to have success throwing the ball in the red zone, the quarterback has to be able to do just that.
Insert Will Grier as the Florida transfer has shown the ability to execute those throws against tight coverage in practice and has a track record of success during his time with the Gators. That alone could potentially lead to more success executing throws inside the 20’s.
Especially because Grier has taken it on himself to dedicate a significant amount of time to get on the same page with his wide receivers.
“Will is pretty good in tight spaces,” he said.
Space is limited in the red zone as well which changes the way a defense approaches opposing offenses. That means the quarterback and wide receiver has to be on the same page and able to execute in one-on-one situations given the limited route concepts that can be executed.
“You have to get really good at one-on-ones down there,” offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said.
It also doesn’t hurt that West Virginia has more size at the wide receiver spot than it has had in recent years. That means more ability to go up and get the football from a purely physical standpoint. The size allows wide receivers to make contested catches with defenders in close quarters.
It sounds easy enough but the limited space makes for an ongoing battle between the wide receivers and the defensive backs. West Virginia has had that in the past with Kevin White and Stedman Bailey and those results were clear with both becoming dominant forces in the red zone.
Can this be the year things turn for the Mountaineers throwing the ball in the red zone? That remains to be seen but one thing is clear.
“We need to get more touchdowns down there,” Holgorsen said.
