MORGANTOWN — WVU’s running game struggled for over a month — since the start of Big 12 play — to find any consistency. In three games against Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Baylor, the Mountaineers failed to rush for over 100 yards as a team.
No single aspect was to blame, but after WVU finally broke out of its rut against TCU last Saturday with 229 yards on the ground, offensive coordinator Gerad Parker said Tuesday it wasn’t just one thing that improved — it was a collective effort.
“We went into a good off week, we took into account the things as a staff we knew we had to improve on, so what are those?” he said. “The real answer is committing to the run, getting better foot and hand placement up front. Both (running) backs played really well and manipulated runs really well.”
For the first time this season, the same five offensive linemen played every snap. The right side of the line rotated most of the year between Doug Nester and Jordan White at guard, and Parker Moorer and Wyatt Milum at tackle.
Nester and Milum got the nod at TCU, and according to head coach Neal Brown and Parker, Nester played his best game of the season. Milum, trying to overcome a minor injury, played well overall but still made some true-freshman mistakes.
Leddie Brown had his first 100-yard game since Sept. 18 against Virginia Tech, with 111 yards on 24 carries, and three touchdowns.
“He was much better with his eyes — I thought he strained more, hit holes more, didn’t miss runs and got vertical — really grinded it out,” Parker said of Leddie Brown.
But what made the Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) most excited was the production of backup running back Tony Mathis, who was able to grind out 12 carries in relief of Brown.
A key point in the off-season was to add depth behind Brown to take carries off his workload, and Mathis stood out during the spring and summer.
However, an injury during fall camp derailed the momentum Mathis built up, and through the first six games, he was unable to spell Brown the way the coaches thought, until Saturday.
“We’re just really happy for him because coming into the year, that’s what he had deserved and had gotten himself to as a player,” Parker said. “It was unfortunate that he had a setback with the injury and it just took him some time to get there.
“Players in this building respect him a lot, so it was good for him to get that moment.”
Stills on NIL
Driving around the state recently, you may have seen a billboard featuring WVU defensive lineman Dante Stills, promoting the law firm Morgan & Morgan.
Stills, a Fairmont native, has also been seen in advertisements for Toothman Auto Group and Little General Stores.
With the NCAA’s approval for players to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness, it’s been a thrill for Stills to be seen off the field.
“I was driving up by the Walmart on (Interstate) 68 with my brother Darius and we (saw the billboard) and we both got really excited like really kids,” Stills said. “I’ve always wanted to be on a billboard and now I’m on it.
“My family definitely thinks this is one of the best things they’ve ever seen. They never thought I’d be on a billboard — they hoped but never knew in college because of the rules before. It’s definitely a cool thing to see and I love it.”
Washington enters transfer portal
Devell Washington, who moved from wide receiver to linebacker this spring, entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, he announced Tuesday on Twitter.
Washington redshirted last season after being recruited as a wide receiver from Michigan. This spring to help a lack of depth at linebacker, he volunteered to move from offense to defense.
This season, however, Washington has only played in one game and hasn’t dressed over the last few weeks.
TWEET @SeanManning_1
