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MORGANTOWN -- No one said it would be easy. And it certainly was not for WVU Saturday afternoon at sun-drenched Milan Puskar Stadium.
The Mountaineers launched their 2019 grid campaign notching a hard-earned 20-13 win over James Madison. The outcome was in doubt until the final minute as the Dukes could not take advantage of possessing the ball near midfield.
The game also marked the long-awaited debut of Neal Brown as WVU's new head coach. And while it was no thing of beauty, he will take it.
"We said all week that this would be a tough game. James Madison has talented players," Brown said. "I know it was ugly but it was a really good win."
Meanwhile, two OVAC products also experienced firsts Saturday.
Colton McKivitz of Union Local and Josh Sills of Meadowbrook, both returning starters on the O-line, moved into new roles Saturday.
McKivitz, a pre-season All-Big 12 selection, has started 35 games at right tackle. He opened at left tackle against the Dukes.
Sills, meanwhile, has been a two-year starter at guard. He is now the anchor of the Mountaineers' O-line at center.
"It was different but I felt much more comfortable today at left tackle. I was feeling some things out early and they had some nice defensive ends," the soft-spoken McKivitz said. "I felt my stance was good and got off the ball well. Now we just need to watch the film and see what needs corrected."
The 6-foot-7, 317-pounder had praise for Sills' maiden voyage at center.
"I think Josh was having fun out there today," McKivitz said. "He wasn't expected to play center this year. He didn't make the switch until two weeks into camp. He did a great job today.
"At halftime and on the sideline, Josh did a super job of talking to the other guys and getting them on the same page. I felt we both did a very good job of settling our younger guys down and getting them adjusted to the speed of the game. Josh and I spend a lot of time together. We have great camaraderie and communication. It's nice playing with another valley guy."
The JMU game took on added significance for McKivitz. He was cast in the role of one of the team's captains.
"It was very surreal moment really. I've waited five years to walk to midfield and experience that. It was very humbling," he said.
The game, played in ideal conditions and in front of a crowd in excess of 61,000 fans, was a virtual yawnfest in the first half. JMU led 7-3 at halftime as the WVU offense, playing it close to the vest, never got untracked.
"I was proud of how we reacted at halftime. We never panicked and our coaches made some real good adjustments. Our depth wore them down in the second half, especially our defensive line," Brown said. "I thought the difference was turnovers and our special teams play."
Brown took the shackles off after intermission. As a result, the Mountaineers took the second half kickoff and marched it 82 yards in seven plays for its first touchdown of the season.
After JMU used a field goal to tie matters at 10-10 after three periods, WVU was able to open some breathing room at 20-10 via an Evan Staley field goal and a TD pass from Oklahoma transfer Austin Kendall with 8:43 remaining.
"Say what you will. The offense wasn't pretty, we struggled to run the ball and we didn't catch the ball well. Defensively, we created negative plays. We will take it and move on," Brown said.
Things get much tougher quickly for WVU. The Mountaineers visit highly regarded Missouri Saturday.
"Missouri is a much bigger challenge for us. It is big boy time," McKivitz said. "We must grow up quickly. We need to really focus coming off the ball and get our running game going."
BUBBA'S WVU BITS
Saturday's was WVU's first home-opening sellout since 1998. Ohio State was the foe that year.
Prior to Saturday, Quincy Wilson was the last OVAC product to serve as a WVU grid captain.
Scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles were in the house.
WVU is now 99-20-6 in season home openers.