WVU Running Game Hits ‘Critical Moment’
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MORGANTOWN -- Dana Holgorsen is a quick learner.
Case in point.
When the former offensive coordinator took over as the head coach of the Mountaineers, it took him only one season to learn that a strong running game would be imperative if new Big 12 member West Virginia was going to make any head way in a 10-team league known for its offenses.
Sure, the eye-popping statistics that his 'Air Raid' attack caught everyone's attention. But, also, resulted in a 7-6 mark during WVU's first season on the Big 12 followed by a 4-8 mark in year number two.
"It (a running game) is critical," Holgorsen explained during Tuesday's press conference. "It's even more important than at home."
No. 23 West Virginia (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) travels to Waco, Texas, this Saturday for an 8 p.m. showdown with a Baylor Bears (0-6, 0-3) squad that would like nothing better than to keep the Mountaineers winless at McLane Stadium.
"We've got to run the ball better (than we did against Texas Tech)," Holgorsen said. "You've got to have the mentality that you are going to run the ball. I saw that mentality in the fourth quarter (against Tech).
"Now, part of that was because (Texas Tech) really got after us for the first two and a half quarters. But, it also falls on us to go out there and be more physical at the line of scrimmage. It's a combination of mentally wanting to impose your will in the running game and (the linemen and running backs) being in a good spot."
For the better part of three quarters West Virginia had neither as Big 12 leader Justin Crawford was limited to 18 total yards on nine carries in the Mountaineers' 46-35 win over the Red Raiders. As a team West Virginia was held to a minus-13 yards by the Tech defense heading into the final 15 minutes of action.
Crawford, who comes into the seventh game of his final season in Morgantown as the Big 12's second leading rusher, finished with 47 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries and sophomore Kennedy McKoy chipped in 35 yards on seven totes, but the effort was far below what the offense had produced in wins over East Carolina, Delaware State and Kansas and in losses to Virginia Tech and TCU.
"We know that we've got to be better at running the football," offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said. "You've got to develop that balance or the teams left on our schedule are just going to line up and come after Will (Grier)."
Enter a Baylor Bears defense which is among the worse in the Big 12 at stopping the run, allowing 241.2 yards a game.
"Yea, you look at those numbers and you think 'we should be able to run against them', but so much of that depends on how many guys they put in to the box," Spavital said. "Will has done a great job so far recognizing that and getting us into a play that will take what they are giving us. Last week, it was the short passing game to Gary (Jennings Jr.) and David (Sills V)."
Grier is coming off his second five-touchdown passing performance in the come-from-behind win over the Raiders. The junior is ranked among the best in the Big 12 in passing yardage (2092), touchdown passes (21) and passing efficiency (167.84).
Sills V, who was just named to the mid-season All American team, enters his second game at McLane Stadium with 12 touchdown receptions -- tied for most in the country -- while Jennings leads the team with 48 catches (586 yards). Throw in senior Ka'Raun White (31-461, 5 TDs) and sophomore Marcus Simms (17-315, 3 TDs) and one can understand why the running game has sometimes been overlooked.
Overlooked, but never forgotten.
"We know, looking ahead, that we've got to run the ball better," assistant coach Tony Dews said. "And, I think you will see us go back to the running game at times. But, Jake (Spavital) and Dana (Holgorsen) understand that you have to take what the defense gives you."
Mountaineer fans are hoping that Baylor's defense will give us more opportunities to run the football and return to the Mountain State with win No. 5.
∫ The game will be televised on FS2 with Brian Custer providing the play-by-play and Ben Leber the analysis.
∫ Baylor is 46-43-4 in Homecoming games, including an 10-11 mark since joining the Big 12.
∫ First year head coach Matt Rhule has played 17 true freshmen over the first six weeks of the season, a total that ranks fourth nationally.
∫ Conversely, Holgorsen and his staff have used six true freshmen and 14 redshirt freshmen through the Mountaineers first six games.