WVU football’s 2021 season concluded in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl with a defensive battle against Minnesota, resulting in a loss. The Mountaineers could only secure a single score throughout the game, ultimately falling short with a final score of 18-6.
Coach Neal Brown and his squad finish the year with a slightly underwhelming record of 6-7, marking the end of their season. Although WVU managed to secure a spot in another bowl game, there is a sense that the team could have achieved greater success.
The defeat was a tough pill to swallow for WVU backers at West Virginia sportsbooks, as the Mountaineers were given a point spread of approximately +6 prior to the start of the game.
In this game, WVU certainly felt the absence of running back Leddie Brown, who made the decision to opt out of the contest in order to dedicate his attention to the NFL draft.
Despite not having its 1,000-yard rusher, WVU managed to accumulate a mere 206 yards in the bowl game. Although the defense managed to force some turnovers, it surrendered a significant amount of yardage on the ground.
Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving both achieved over 125 rushing yards, maintaining an impressive average of 6.8 yards per carry each. Together, they accumulated a total of 273 yards on 40 carries, ultimately leaving WVU with a disheartening outcome.
The team will have to regroup as there will be several upcoming changes on the roster.
Quarterback Efforts Fail To Prevent Bowl Game Fall
Last week, the WVU offense struggled tremendously. The team ended up punting a total of seven times, with the first three possessions resulting in punts as well.
In the second quarter, the Mountaineers managed their sole scoring drive, which came close to equalizing the game.
The offense, led by quarterback Jarret Doege, embarked on a 75-yard journey in 12 plays to reach the end zone.
Doege assumed the responsibility of putting WVU on the scoreboard, but despite his efforts, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful. As a result, the score remained 8-6 in favor of Minnesota.
For the remainder of the game, the Mountaineers managed to generate only two additional drives that yielded any progress.
The first half came to an end as Doege’s interception in Minnesota territory halted their scoring opportunity. At the 16-yard line, Michael Dixon intercepted Doege’s third-down throw, preventing WVU from adding more points to their tally.
Subsequently, when trailing by 12 points in the latter part of the third quarter, the offense failed to convert on downs. Doege’s throws on third and fourth down were unsuccessful, resulting in the ball being returned to Minnesota’s territory, just beyond the 50-yard line.
The quarterback had a tough day as he only managed to complete 58% of his attempts and ended the game with a mere 140 passing yards.
Despite gaining a total of 80 yards from scrimmage, sophomore Tony Mathis Jr. was unable to receive sufficient opportunities to make an impact on the ground.
Sam James, a junior, spearheaded the Mountaineers’ passing game by accumulating 40 yards on three receptions.
In terms of defense, senior Jackie Matthews delivered an impressive performance, making two tackles resulting in a loss, one of which was a sack. Additionally, the team received a significant boost from freshman linebacker Lance Dixon, who recorded eight solo tackles and a total of 11 tackles.
Now, all eyes shift towards the offseason, as the transfer portal has permanently altered the landscape of college football.
2022 WVU Football Roster Brings New Faces To Many Positions
It is undeniable that the team for the following year will undergo significant changes compared to the current one. Brown, the main force behind the Mountaineers, is heading to the NFL, and a handful of others will also be departing from Morgantown.
Doege and wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. have expressed their desire to transfer, which was announced a few days after the bowl defeat.
Doege, the quarterback for WVU in the past two seasons, announced his intentions to leave via a tweet on Twitter.
The friendships and memories I’ve created at WVU in the past three years will always hold a special place in my heart. I am endlessly thankful to the coaching staff for granting me the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. West Virginia will forever be cherished. Anticipating the future, I am eager to find a new home for the upcoming 2022 season.
Despite not setting any records, the quarterback from Lubbock demonstrated consistent performance for WVU.
In addition, Wright enjoyed a fairly successful career with the program.
He was the top performer in catches and yards among all others, and shared the lead with James by scoring five receiving touchdowns. Wright also made a solid contribution last season with 47 receptions, accumulating over 550 yards.
There will be a number of fresh faces in significant positions within the defense.
Josh Chandler-Semedo, Sean Mahone, and Dante Stills, the linebackers, have finished their final seasons. With each player’s departure, there are significant voids to be filled.
Chandler-Semedo was the leading tackler for the Mountaineers, recording 110 tackles, which was 29 more than the next defender. Mahone, playing in the safety position, had 81 tackles, making him the second highest on the team. Both players also shared the team lead in interceptions, with two each.
Stills was the sack leader for WVU with a total of seven. This was the second time this season that he achieved this milestone, nearly doubling his solo-tackle output.
WVU’s Starting Quarterback
The Mountaineers possess solid depth in certain positions, yet the quarterback situation remains intriguing. Freshman Garrett Greene gained significant game experience in 2021, primarily showcasing his skills in rushing plays.
Greene’s performance in the game was impressive, with 16 successful passes out of 26 attempts for 147 yards. Additionally, he showcased his exceptional rushing skills by carrying the ball 48 times and gaining nearly 300 yards. Considering this, it is highly likely that Greene will remain an integral part of the offense in the upcoming year. However, besides Greene, who else will be included in the offensive lineup?
Will Crowder, a freshman, is also included in the team. During the match against Long Island, he participated and successfully completed two passes, covering a total of 28 yards.
Nicco Marchiol, the high school player of the year in Arizona, possesses notable talent. With his impressive stature and swift release, he displays skill both within the pocket and while on the move.
It is possible that WVU may acquire another player from the transfer portal. This offseason is expected to be busy, and we will keep you informed of any significant developments.
Related Articles
