MORGANTOWN – The West Virginia defense was touted as being one of two schools in the nation not to allow a play over 50 yards prior to Friday’s game against Oklahoma at Milan Puskar Stadium.
It only took seven plays for the Sooners to put a swift end to that oddity when quarterback Kyler Murray bolted down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown of the night for OU, and it was only the beginning in what was a long night for the Mountaineers.
After struggling last week at Oklahoma State, WVU continued its woes against the Sooners, allowing 668 yards and 45 points in the 59-56 loss.
It was the last game on Mountaineer Field for four starters on the West Virginia defense – safeties Dravon Askew-Henry and Toyous Avery, as well as defensive linemen Jabril Robinson and Kenny Bigelow.
“That’s the worst part of this job is seeing that happen to those guys. … other than playing Oklahoma,” defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said.
Gibson blamed Oklahoma’s surge in the first half where the Sooners scored four touchdowns on their first five possession on a lack of discipline and simply not doing what they’re supposed to do.
Doing that against an OU offense that is one of the best in the nation, it sets any defense up for a world of hurt.
“The most disappointing thing all night long was on their first three touchdowns, they were just flat-out missed assignments, stuff that we don’t do,” Gibson said. “I don’t know what got into us, but on their first 21 points, that was out guys just doing dumb mistakes that they don’t normally make.”
Gibson also credited the Sooners’ offense for simply making great plays when needed, including a long pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown on an important 3rd and 10 in the third quarter. Murray dropped in a perfect pass over Askew-Henry’s head while Askew-Henry was in perfect position.
Still, the fact OU’s offense is so potent makes the breakdowns even more frustrating.
“As a defensive player, you absolutely hate these games,” junior defensive end Reese Donahue said. “How many points did our offense score? The point is, it was over 50. When you score 50 points, you should win the game. That falls on the defense. If we would have gotten stops and gotten off the field, then we would have won the game.
“We didn’t execute well and it ultimately came back to bite us.”
Murray finished with 364 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding 114 on the ground. Running back Kennedy Brooks had 182 yards, including another play over 50 yards – a 68-yard touchdown run up the middle where he went untouched.
