Week 1/2: Mountaineer Review and Preview

[smackemz]

 

Week 1 Score: Miami (OH) 33 West Virginia 20

POTG: MIAO RB Jeff Needham - 18 carries for 139 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 47 yards

What happened: The Mountaineers would have a decent day moving the ball on offense, but ultimately would be done in by turnovers.

 

First time starting QB Shelby Musa would toss 2 touchdowns, but would also toss 3 interceptions in a game where the Mountaineers led 17-16 going into the 4th quarter. The Redhawks would strike on each of these turnovers with quarterback Randy Weiser tossing 2 touchdowns and 239 yards without any turnovers. The player of the game was running back Jeff Needham who would have 139 yards on 18 carries for a 7.38 ypc average. He would also break a huge play on a screen pass and have 47 yards through the air. On the defensive side of the ball - Frank Flande, Joshua Martin, and Morgan Jefferson would all grab an interception on one of Musa's passes.

 

For the Mountaineers, Chad Dolis would pace the offense with 143 yards on the ground. Wide out Avery Sterling would haul in 97 yards receiving and would early on make a play for Musa's biggest threat in the passing game. On defense DT Jeurys Rogers would lead the game with 2.5 tackles for loss on a day where the Mountaineers were unable to get the Redhawks off the field.

 

Week 2 Preview

 

Match-up: West Virginia (0-1) at Liberty (1-1)

The Mountaineers will head to Lynchburg to take on the 1-1 Liberty Flames. Liberty heads into the game off a 13-6 victory over San Jose State at home, and will look to keep its balanced rushing attack alive.

 

What to watch for (WVU): Can Shelby Musa reduce the turnovers? That's the main question coming out of their game 1 to Miami is can Musa take better care of the football? The offense showed an ability to move the ball, but the Mountaineers simply don't have the talent right now to give the football away at such a high clip.

 

What to watch for (Liberty): Can the Flames run the ball as effectively? The WVU defense didn't have the greatest outing against the Miami rushing attack, will the duo of Ricky Kerridge and Devin Thomas be able to take advantage? Against SJSU they combined for 165 yards on 27 carries, but Liberty's only touchdown on the day came from a pick 6 by CB Kenyan Tannehill. Will they be able to control the game on the ground and score when needed?

 

What will happen: After a week of practice and 2 games worth of film for coach smackemz to study. The defense should have a solid game plan coming in and be able to slow down the Liberty rushing attack. Musa will take better care of the ball and the Mountaineers will continue to move the ball on offense. We think the Mountaineers will do just enough to get their first victory of the year.

 

Prediction: WVU 24 - Liberty 10