MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University (WVU) faced disappointment following a narrow defeat against Arizona State University (ASU), which highlighted ongoing issues with its running game. Coach Rich Rodriguez expressed his frustration, noting that while the performance was competitive, the Mountaineers fell short due to missed opportunities in critical moments.
Rodriguez stated, “I didn’t feel like in the first half that they were better than us. They are better than us because they won.” The game hinged on a few crucial plays in the red zone, where WVU struggled to convert on key opportunities. Despite three trips to the red zone, the team managed only three points, failing to secure a first down on two fourth-down attempts. Rodriguez emphasized the importance of being able to gain a yard when it counts, stating, “You can’t get this much,” while gesturing to illustrate the minimal distance needed.
WVU’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the game, with the team recording just 68 rushing yards, marking one of their lowest totals of the season. The longest rush came from quarterback Scotty Fox, who gained only 14 yards. Injuries to key players, including running back Diore Hubbard, compounded the team’s difficulties in establishing a ground game. Fox also faced challenges, being sacked and tackled for losses, which further impacted the overall rushing statistics.
Without a reliable rushing attack, the pressure fell on Fox, who ended the game with a personal best of 353 passing yards and two touchdowns. He completed 31 passes, primarily relying on long touchdowns to accumulate yardage. Rodriguez noted that this reliance on passing is not aligned with the team’s intended identity, which emphasizes a strong running game.
WVU has shown flashes of success in the past, notably closing out the Colorado game with effective rushing plays and securing a victory in the Backyard Brawl through a rushing touchdown. Historically, the Mountaineers have thrived when they can run the ball efficiently, and this season’s wins have largely depended on their ground game.
The loss to ASU was particularly disheartening as it dimmed the Mountaineers’ hopes for bowl eligibility. Rodriguez pointed out that a victory against ASU would have kept the momentum alive for the team’s postseason aspirations. He remarked, “If we couldn’t pick up a yard against the Sun Devils’ front, it’s going to be a lot harder against the Texas Tech front out of the bye.”
Looking ahead, Texas Tech is positioned to compete for a Big 12 title and a favorable seeding in the college football playoffs. The challenge for WVU will be significant, especially if they cannot improve their ground game. Rodriguez concluded with a somber assessment, stating, “You have to be able to run the ball this far to win the game. You run for 68 yards. It’s embarrassing. You can’t run for 68 yards, you don’t deserve to win the game.”
As the Mountaineers prepare for their next matchup, the focus will be on addressing the shortcomings in their rushing attack and regaining the physical edge that Rodriguez demands from his team.
