WVU Hopes To Keep Black Diamond Trophy
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- West Virginia opened its 2022 season with a loss on the road against one its long-time rivals on a Thursday night on national television.
The Mountaineers (1-2, 0-1 Big 12) will essentially get a do-over as they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia tomorrow to take on Virginia Tech (2-1, 1-0 ACC) for the second year in a row and play for the Black Diamond Trophy.
WVU won the matchup last year 27-21 in Morgantown, but head coach Neal Brown knows that having to play this one on the road is an imposing challenge.
"I haven't been to Blacksburg, but my assumption is that it'll be every bit as loud (as Pittsburgh) or louder," Brown said Monday. "I know it's going to be loud, it's going to be a fun atmosphere.
"This is the only game on our schedule where we play for a trophy. The Black Diamond (Trophy) makes it even more special."
After already playing the Backyard Brawl against Pitt to open this season, this will be the first time in a long time that the Mountaineers will play two of their traditional rivals in the same year. Especially since they've been the geographic outlier in the Big 12.
"We'll definitely talk about (the rivalry)," Brown said. "This rivalry is one that's important to our fanbase. The guys that played in the game last year felt that. It's going to be a great atmosphere down in Blacksburg, without a doubt."
The Hokies have new leadership in first-year head coach Brent Pry, but a familiar face at quarterback in George Washington High School product Grant Wells.
Wells, who started for two seasons at Marshall before transferring, threw four interceptions in VT's season-opening loss to Old Dominion, but has been stellar since, throwing for 454 yards and three touchdowns in the team's last two wins.
"He's more athletic than people give him credit for, I think he can run," Brown said. "He's got a super strong arm and the thing that he's done well the last two weeks is be accurate with the football."
West Virginia got off the schneid and picked up its first win of the season last week with a 65-7 beatdown of FCS opponent Towson. Quarterback JT Daniels threw for 174 yards and a touchdown in limited action while running backs Tony Mathis (104) and CJ Donaldson (101) eached rushed for over 100 yards and scored multiple touchdowns.
Scoring against the Hokies may prove challenging, however, as VT is allowing only 12.3 points per game this season. Virginia Tech gave up 20 to Old Dominion, but then held Boston College to 10 and Wofford to seven last week.
"I think the thing that jumps out at you when you turn on film of their first three games is they play really, really hard," Brown said. "Coach Pry has a defensive background and you can see that the team is buying into his mentality."
Brown singled out VT linebacker Dax Hollifield, saying he may be the most improved player WVU will face all season.
Kick-off from Lane Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN as the Mountaineers get another chance to play on national TV.