On Saturday, the WVU Mountaineers wrapped up their Gold-Blue spring game with an impressive turnout of nearly 13,000 fans. A significant number of people in Morgantown eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of the team’s revamped offense, set to debut this upcoming fall.
Although new addition quarterback JT Daniels was not showcased, the other WVU QBs took center stage. It is evident that there is a genuine competition on the depth chart, as all three choices displayed glimpses of immense potential.
Ultimately, the Gold team emerged victorious over the Blue team with a narrow scoreline of 22-21. While the score adds excitement for the players, the main focus of this match is to assess the team’s roster and determine the strategies that prove successful on the field.
In addition to the quarterbacks, numerous other Mountaineers showcased exceptional performances.
As the 2022 season approaches its conclusion, let’s take a look at the valuable insights gained from WVU football’s spring game.
WVU’s Gold-Blue game recap
The competition at quarterback was undoubtedly the most prominent topic of discussion during this year’s spring tilt. Despite the addition of former Georgia standout Daniels to the team, the coaching staff still has a lot to contemplate regarding the position.
Assuming there are no significant obstacles, Daniels is the preferred starter. However, the remaining three individuals are also vying for the next position and seeking playing opportunities.
“Goose,” also known as Will Crowder, showcased exceptional performance on the field. Multiple reports indicate his ease in diverse scenarios and highlighted his impressive throwing skills.
In summary, Goose completed 14 out of 24 passes, accumulating nearly 200 yards. Crowder showed great potential in the new offense led by offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, delivering solid performances and making crucial throws.
Garrett Greene, despite his familiar presence, encountered some early setbacks on Saturday, impeding his fortune. However, he managed to regain composure and exhibited enhancements in his passing abilities. Those well-acquainted with the Mountaineers are aware that Greene’s mobility poses challenges for rival defenses. Last season, he amassed nearly 300 yards with an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
Greene concluded the afternoon tallying 132 yards passing as he completed five out of his 10 attempts. Despite being intercepted at the beginning, Greene swiftly bounced back, impressively connecting with receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton several times for impactful long passes.
The duo delivered a powerful performance, generating two remarkable plays that each covered over 30 yards, one of which resulted in a touchdown to kick off the second half.
WVU showcased another talented young prospect at quarterback, Nicco Marchiol. Despite his high school status, he undeniably demonstrated impressive skills.
In the game, Marchiol completed 10 out of 19 passes for a total of 75 yards, and he also ran the ball nine times, gaining an additional 26 yards.
More WVU Gold-Blue spring game takeaways
In addition to the captivating quarterback competition, there was a palpable shift in the offensive strategy. Harrell has expressed his intention to heavily rely on passing, and he offered a glimpse of this approach during the recent weekend.
The new staff member hired by Head coach Neal Brown is already making a noticeable impact, as reported by the WV MetroNews. Brown stated that he is pleased with the contributions made by the new addition.
Having another voice in the room was highly significant. Graham’s presence has instilled confidence with his admirable swagger, yet he remains humble. This has proven to be highly impactful in the room.
The field is also reflecting the changes. The Mountaineers have increased their focus on passing, allowing all three quarterbacks ample opportunities to showcase their abilities in the air.
These adjustments have a significant impact on the wide receivers on the roster, resulting in considerable benefits. In addition to Ford-Wheaton, four other wide receivers successfully made receptions of over 25 yards.
On Saturday, one of the players also gave an impressive performance.
Preston Fox, a redshirt sophomore from Morgantown, showcased his exceptional skills on several occasions. He made impressive catches that caught everyone’s attention, including a remarkable one-handed grab that secured a spot among SportsCenter’s top plays.
In total, Fox gathered a total of five catches for 117 yards in the passing game, along with scoring one touchdown. His performance impressed the WVU coaching staff so much that they extended a scholarship offer to him after the game.
Brown discussed everyone’s excitement:
“The best moments include his parents entering the locker room and him securing a scholarship due to his exceptional productivity. However, his next challenge lies in proving himself against the top competitors. Despite that, I am genuinely satisfied with his performance. He capitalized on the opportunity presented to him during these 15 practices and rightfully earned the scholarship.”
Fox and the talented receiving corps have every reason to feel positive about their potential to have an exceptional season. Sam James, who had an impressive performance with more than 40 catches and 500 yards in 2021, adds to the arsenal of weapons returning for the team.
Check out this amazing catch by @P_fox21! It definitely deserves a spot on #SCTop10. [insert image link here]
On April 23, 2022, the official Twitter account of West Virginia Football shared the following: “@WVUfootball”
Mountaineers’ 2022 outlook
Brown desires for the offense to grow and generate more substantial gains downfield. With the implementation of Harrell’s fresh strategy and Daniels as the quarterback, the situation appears to be improving in the Mountain State.
Brown explained:
“We need to work on improving this aspect. In our victorious moments last year, we were able to execute explosive plays. However, when we faced stronger defenses or lacked explosive plays, we encountered difficulties.”
Based on the spring contest, it seems that WVU fans can anticipate an abundance of remarkable plays in the upcoming season.
Given that the game was primarily an exhibition and the defense didn’t engage in any live hitting, it becomes more challenging to assess the events on that aspect of the game. However, it is worth noting that numerous Mountaineers stood out and made a notable impression.
This year, Linebacker Lee Kpogba is expected to play a significant role, and he lived up to expectations. He made several tackles and displayed a comfortable presence within the defense.
Kpogba is expected to take up the starting position at middle linebacker, where he will aim to partially compensate for the loss of Josh Chandler-Semedo and his impressive 110 total tackles from the previous year.
Despite occasional shakiness, the secondary managed to halt the offensive unit through some impressive challenges of their own.
In the beginning, the standout moment was delivered by Aubrey Burks, a sophomore safety. He intercepted Greene’s attempt to make a long throw to James.
Burks accurately assessed the situation and executed an impressive play on the ball.
With nearly 13,000 fans in attendance, this game trails only the 2019 spring game in terms of audience size within the past ten years. One can hope that this season in Morgantown and at West Virginia sportsbooks will be filled with exhilarating moments.
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