The horrible weather in Morgantown couldn’t stop the Mountaineers from trouncing the visiting Eagles 55-10. This was by far the best game the Mountaineers played all season. Everything they needed to work on showed in this game.
The biggest problem the Mountaineers had coming into this game was their ability to have a significant run game. The Mountaineers were ranked 115th running the ball and are now ranked 78th. Running backs Dustin Garrison and Shawne Alston had spectacular games with both of them scoring two touchdowns apiece. Garrison did get most of the reps as he had 32 carries for 291 yards. Alston had 8 carries for 49 yards. The fact that the running game was able to score four combined touchdowns shows that the Mountaineers shouldn’t completely abandon it.
The pass game was not highly used due to the weather, but Geno Smith was able to get some decent passes in. Smith threw for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns, but since the Mountaineers were up by so much there was no point to keep him in. Backup quarterback Paul Millard did get some playing as he went 1/3 with 45 yards. Stedman Bailey was the most used receiver as he racked up 112 yards however he did not have a touchdown. Ivan McCartney had 5 receptions for 54 yards and one touchdown, Ryan Nehlen had just 1 reception for 15 yards and one touchdown, and Brad Starks had 1 reception for 6 yards and one touchdown as well.
The defense even stepped up their game yesterday by picking Bowling Green quarterback Matt Schilz three times. Coming into the game Schilz had already thrown four interceptions on the year and the Mountaineers almost doubled that on Saturday. Another surprising stat the Mountaineer defense was able to record was that they were able to make four sacks in the game and recover a fumble. Seems like all the pieces are coming together for the Mountaineers’ defense and offense.
However, the Mountaineers’ special teams continued to struggle as they still seem to have problems tackling on kick returns. Eagles’ return man Jerry Gates had a 77 yard return which led to a touchdown. Although on the first kickoff of the game the Mountaineers recovered a fumble, but they only came away with a field goal. Punter Corey Smith still has been having problems being able to kick the ball down the field. He only punted once this game and it only went a measly 14 yards.
If the Mountaineers can keep up this great play then there should be no reason why they can’t win the rest of their games by huge margins.
Player of the Game: Dustin Garrison 32 carries 291 yards 2 TDs 2 rec 4 yards
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