MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The game two years ago between West Virginia and Oklahoma at Milan Puskar Stadium actually served as a lot of “lasts” for the Mountaineers. The 59-56 loss to the Sooners was the last time then-head coach Dana Holgorsen coached at Milan Puskar Stadium before he bolted for Houston a month later.
It was also the last time WVU (5-3, 4-3 Big 12) played a game under the lights at home, something that would have seemed unheard of a few years ago.
To both those points, this Saturday’s showdown with No. 11 OU (6-2, 5-2) will be the first time now-head coach Neal Brown will work during a night game at Milan Puskar Stadium — something he’s looking forward, albeit with a limited capacity.
“I think there’s something about playing under the lights, maybe get your adrenaline going a bit more,” Brown said. “I think when you play in that primetime TV spot, I think there’s something about that, too. But once you get into the game, it’s no different than playing at 11 or 12.”
Quarterback Jarret Doege is in his second year with the program, so like Brown, he hasn’t played in a night home game yet in his WVU career. Doege played in a few night games while at Bowling Green, and while he believes when the game starts in doesn’t matter as much, he won’t deny there is a special feeling in the air.
“I don’t think there’s too much different — you’ll have a little bit more adrenaline going at the beginning of the game,” Doege said. “I think once a couple of plays are played, that kind of wears off and it turns into a normal football game.
“But it’s obviously exciting to play at night, under the lights. I wish all the fans could be there, but to me, it’s going to be a normal game.”
Wide receiver T.J. Simmons has played under the lights on Mountaineer Field — vs. Youngstown State, Baylor and Oklahoma in 2018. He knows the thrills that can come with it.
“Night games are always different, just under the lights …,” Simmons said. “You’ve got a whole day of waiting for the game, so the anticipation for the game to start, it builds up. It’s all that anticipation. It’s really about being under the lights. It reminds you of being back in high school and playing under the lights. It’s always everyone’s best times playing the sport, so being under those lights with all the fans is going to be emotional.”
Thanksgiving plans
Last year in Brown’s first season, assistant coaches hosted players from their position groups at their homes for a Thanksgiving dinner before the holiday, and on Thursday, had a team dinner with everyone together.
This year will be different because of COVID-19 with no position group dinners at coaches’ homes, but there will be a socially-distanced team dinner today.
“They eat well all the time, but they’ll eat well this week,” Brown said.
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