MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Though he tried to tamp down the big-deal emotions of his first college start, David Long sensed his heart might burst through his No. 11 jersey on the opening play against Kansas State.
By the fourth play, he was fine.
West Virginia’s redshirt freshman linebacker squirted through a seam and dropped Justin Silmon for a 6-yard loss, ultimately leading to a Wildcats punt.
“Love the way the kid plays,” said defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who elevated Long over fifth-year senior Sean Walters at Will linebacker. The players were apprised of the move only 24 hours after the previous week’s victory in which BYU piled up 521 yards.