[2023] Houston Humbles Upstart Mountaineers

[smackemz]

(Fr) Dzanan Reid looks to the sideline in WVU's 34-14 loss to #19 Houston

 

Morgantown - Moises Walker would certainly part the blue seas on a drizzle filled Saturday Morning in Morgantown.  The Houston back would decimate the WVU defense with over 240 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns, while quarterback Trevor Cothran would add another 290 through the air.  In WVU's week 6 victory over Iowa State they leaned on a stout defensive performance, but in roller coaster fashion the young Mountaineers were unable to get any stops against the ranked Cougars of Houston.  The rain had an impact on WVU's ability to hold onto the ball. which kept their defense on the field much longer than it could sustain.  

All did not start bad in Morgantown, as with most of their losses this year the Mountaineers had their chances only to be done in by the mental mistakes that have plagued this young football team.  The defense held strong early, forcing a punt on the first 3 Houston possessions, but the Mountaineers would be unable to take advantage of their early defensive performance.  The first three drives for WVU would end up in a punt, missed field goal, and lost fumble leading to an eventual collapse of the early strong defensive start.  WR/RB Chad Dolis would fumble on that 3rd possession, which lead to a Houston recovery and eventual touchdown.  The body language of the WVU defense, which had started so positive, would slump after that point and the Cougars would face little resistance the remainder of the game.  Mental mistakes have killed the Mountaineers all year, putting them in positions in which they haven't been able to rebound.  

The Mountaineer offense was initially not phased after the fumble.  Dzanan Reid would lead another strong WVU drive down to the Houston 10 yard line, where again Victor Pugh would miss another chip shot field goal.  The wheels would fall off after the missed field goal as Houston would drive down and score, and then pick off Reid the next possession leading to another touchdown and just like that the Mountaineers were down 21-0 going into the half.  The Mountaineers would come out after the half and show a little fight, scoring 14 points to make the score look somewhat respectable, but the writing was on the wall with the early mental struggles.  "We can't put ourselves in good positions only to throw them away like we did in the first half.  We have to take advantage of our stops and not continue to put of defense in bad positions." This was the response by coach smackemz when a local reporter asked about the first half.  

The road does not get easier for the Mountaineers as they travel to Manhatten, Kansas to play the Wildcats of Kansas State.  Hearts are still broken from last year's game in Morgantown as the Mountaineers had the Wildcats dead to rights - up 4 with only a few seconds left in the game.  The Wildcats would complete an improbable hail mary that would crush WVU's upset bid.  Can the Mountaineers get their revenge this week?  


Mountaineers ink 2 more signings

WVU would come away from week 7 with two more recruits in their 2023 class.  First off is a cornerback from Benton High School in Benton, Louisiana Emiliano Garcia.  Garcia is a little raw, but the scouts seem to agree that he has extremely high potential if he puts in the required work.  The Mountaineers signed 3 corners last season and are looking to bolster their overall depth in the position.  Also signing this week is the Center from Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas Thomas Esteves.  Esteves already shows good ability to pass block, and will need to come in and focus on his ability to block in the run game.  He also shows a high level of potential to be an adequate starter down the road if he puts in the required work.  Time will only tell if these guys eventually become starters or if they are the depth that every team needs to be successful.