MORGANTOWN — The 45-20 loss at Baylor on Oct. 9 for WVU was arguably the worst defensive performance the Mountaineers have had the last two seasons, allowing 525 yards — the first time they gave up more than 500 yards of total offense since the Oklahoma game in October 2019.
With a bye week to digest it, senior linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo said the game against the Bears was discussed and then moved on from as quickly as possible.
“We don’t let one game really bring us down or keep us too high,” he said. “Of course, you definitely have that in the back of your mind — a team put up 45 points on us and that doesn’t just go away. But at the same time, you can’t focus on that. You worry about last week, you’ll mess around and let that bleed into this week.”
What awaits WVU (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) this weekend is the vaunted rushing offense of TCU, one that head coach Neal Brown said is one of the most underrated in the Big 12. But like before the Baylor game — the Bears lead the conference in rushing — the Mountaineers had a plan of stopping the run from the start, but Baylor went over the top in the first half with the passing game, catching WVU by complete surprise.
“Our plan going into Baylor was their 240 yards rushing (per game), we knew what they were and really, plan-wise … 100% on me. We took a shot and we missed,” defensive coordinator Lesley said. “They out-executed us. We were trying to be aggressive, and when you do that, you have to be able to cover, and we weren’t able to get that done.”
Hoping not to make the same mistake again, WVU is aware of the threat running backs Zach Evans and Kendre Miller bring for the Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2). Evans is fourth in the Big 12 with 586 yards and five touchdowns, while Miller has totaled 357 yards and six scores.
“I think those two backs are special,” Brown said. “Evans, I think he’s played at an extremely high level all year. Miller does get a little bit overlooked, but look at his production. He’s a bigger kid but he runs away from Oklahoma on the touchdown as he tight-ropes down the sideline. I think the level of running-back play in our league is really high and I would put those guys up there with the best of them.”
Quarterback Max Duggan is also a weapon with his legs with 238 yards. Chandler-Semedo compared Duggan to what WVU saw in Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister.
“You can do everything right and he can still make a play with his feet,” Chandler-Semedo said. “It’s very similar to the Virginia Tech game. We had everything covered and [Burmeister] makes a 3rd-and-24 possible with his legs. That’s always a different dynamic.”
Brown hopes there isn’t a repeat of the Baylor game Saturday, but the goal appears simple on paper for the success of WVU’s defense — stop the run.
The Mountaineers are third in the Big 12 against the run, allowing 102 yards per game.
“I think that’s got to be our first priority against these guys,” he said. “I don’t think they’ve hidden the fact that they want to run the football. That’s their first and foremost goal, and for us, we’ve got to put them in must-pass situations and we’ve got to stop them. I think first downs are going to be huge in this game. We feel good about our run defense. That’s been the best part of our football team, that and a couple of areas on special teams so far, but that’s maybe our biggest challenge this week.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU.
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