MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — 8:20 a.m.: Rise and shine! It’s a foggy fall October morning in Morgantown about 3 1/2 hours before kickoff between WVU and Baylor, and we already have some breaking news. Starting WVU left guard James Gmiter announced on Twitter he will miss the game because of a positive COVID-19 test from Friday’s round of testing. Gmiter, a new dad, started 10 games in 2019 and the first two games of 2020, so Chase Behrndt, Michael Brown or Zach Frazier will likely take his place. The school will not announce specifics on who is out due to COVID like it would an injury, but the Mountaineers could possibly be out more players due to contact-tracing.
10:19 a.m.: The fog has lifted and it’s a beautiful sunny morning. However, bad news, as the Pride of West Virginia will not be in attendance. The band announced Saturday morning that it has two positive tests and will not perform at Milan Puskar Stadium.
10:57 a.m.: New starters announced for WVU, including a big surprise: New starters for WVU: Brandon Yates at left tackle over Junior Uzebu, Zach Frazier at left guard for Gmiter, T.J. Simmons at slot over Reese Smith, Dylan Tonkery at bandit (VanDarius Cowan hurt), and Akheem Mesidor at DT over Dante Stills. Mesidor is either going off in practice or Stills isn’t giving quite what the coaches hope right now.
11:36 a.m.: Fans are filling in, although in very small numbers with just players’ families able to be here. In two weeks against Kansas, the school will allow 15,000 people to be in attendance — fingers crossed.
11:54 a.m.: There aren’t many, but Baylor’s parents were thrilled when the ESPN College GameDay crew mostly picked the Bears to win. Show being aired on the videoboards. We’re about 10 minutes from kickoff.
12:20 p.m.: That was a great drive for WVU outside of some struggles in pass protection. Jarret Doege takes it in for a 1-yard score. 15-plays, 70 yards, 6:09. The Mountaineers take a 7-0 lead, and running back Leddie Brown is running like 2019 was personal to him and his future children.
12:27 p.m.: Well, Dante Stills did end up getting the start, and made a huge tackle for loss on second down. Baylor goes 3 and out and WVU will take over at its own 23-yard line.
12:33 p.m.: Pass protection for WVU continues to be a problem as Jarret Doege gets crushed, fumbled, and Baylor takes over at the Mountaineers’ 19-yard line.
12:36 p.m.: Mountaineers’ defense makes a big stop and Baylor misses the field goal.
12:43 p.m.: WVU’s offensive line is having a really bad time in pass protection. Doege is getting hit every time he drops back to throw. Baylor takes over deep in its own territory.
End 1: WVU 7, Baylor 0
12:48 p.m.: The WVU defensive line and the Stills brothers are having a field day right now. Absolutely dominating the trenches.
12:50 p.m.: First play of the next drive, Doege throws an interception and Baylor takes over. Big missed opportunity for the Mountaineers.
12:55 p.m.: Baylor kicker John Mayers misses his second field goal, this one from 47 yards out, as it boinks off the right upright. WVU will take over at the Bears’ 30-yard line.
1:00 p.m.: Jarret Doege struggling severely right now. Just threw a really bad interception to J.T. Woods of Baylor and the Bears will take over deep in Mountaineers’ territory.
1:01 p.m.: A Nicktroy Fortune interception is wiped out because of a pass interference call on Dreshun Miller, which after replay, was a horrendous call.
1:09 p.m.: Baylor takes advantage of the bad call on Miller and scores its first touchdown on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Brewer to R.J. Snead. We’re tied at 7-7.
1:27 p.m.: WVU defense playing very, very in the first half. Mountaineers going for points just before halftime but the offense needs to stop with the turnovers.
1:37 p.m.: Just a terribly managed end of the half for WVU. Offense gets the ball back and goes 3 and out, giving Baylor the ball back. The Bears got the ball to the 34-yard line with 1 second left, but the kick was blocked.
Halftime: WVU 7, Baylor 7
2:04 p.m.: Darius Stills is unblockable right now. Sack of Charlie Brewer allows the WVU defense to force a punt on Baylor’s first drive of the second half.
2:14 p.m.: Becoming a battle for field position in the third quarter. Both teams trading punts early as WVU is ready to begin its second possession at its own 22-yard line.
2:40 p.m.: After review, Leddie Brown scores a 1-yard touchdown to put WVU back on top. The running game is working today for the Mountaineers. WVU takes a 14-7 lead.
End 3: WVU 14, Baylor 7
2:51 p.m.: Dreshun Miller was penalized twice in the first half but makes up for it with an interception of Charlie Brewer to start the fourth quarter. WVU takes over at their own 32-yard line.
3:17 p.m.: Dreshun Miller with another interception but looks like his foot is out of bounds. It will likely be third down for Baylor at the WVU 3-yard line looking to tie it.
3:23 p.m.:The WVU defense appears to get a 4th down stop at the 1-yard line but the play is under further review, again.
3:33 p.m.: Baylor will need 60 yards in 1:55 to tie this thing up after WVU punts.
3:37 p.m.: And they did it. The Bears score with 1:19 left in the fourth. We’re tied at 14-14.
3:44 p.m.: WVU doesn’t do much of anything on its final possession and we’re headed to overtime.
End 4: WVU 14, Baylor 14
3:57 p.m.: Bryce Ford-Wheaton makes up for an earlier mistake on special teams, hauling in a 7-yard touchdown on a huge catch, after WVU went for it on 4th down. WVU leads 21-14, Baylor not gets its chance.
3:58 p.m.: A minute later, Baylor scores to tie it at 21-21.
4:01 p.m.: Fast and furious, Baylor’s next drive starts with an interception by Tykee Smith after Akheem Mesidor crushes Brewer. Play is under review but looks like Smith got his right foot down.
4:08 p.m.: Leddie Brown scores his second touchdown of the day and WVU beats Baylor 27-21 in double overtime. That was a rollercoaster ride of great, good, mediocre, bad and terrible football.
