West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox. Jr. signs an autograph for a fan after the Mountaineers beat Colorado in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/John Raby)

West Virginia kept the momentum rolling and its postseason bowl hopes alive on Saturday.

The Mountaineers won their second-straight game in a row over Colorado 29-22, which was WVU’s first win at home since the Backyard Brawl against Pitt in September.

The Mountaineers moved to 4-6 on the season and 2-5 in the Big 12. The Buffaloes are now out of bowl contention at 3-7 and 1-6 in the conference.

“I was really proud of the guys to pull out a win,” Rich Rodriguez said. “We didn’t really play well, but they stayed engaged. When they started making a little comeback, nobody panicked, and we’ll take any win we can get.”

It was a duel of true freshman quarterbacks, and WVU’s true freshman might not have performed better, but he managed to lead his team to victory in a matchup where neither team looked complete, fitting for two 3-win teams.

It was a more balanced game script for WVU compared to the last two games, where WVU threw a ton against TCU and then ran all over Houston.

True freshman Scotty Fox Jr was asked to throw more than he did last week, and threw for 202 yards on 17-for-28 passing, and his lone passing touchdown was the 3-yard pass to Ryan Ward. Fox hit Hubbard for a 69-yard pass out of the backfield just a couple of plays before. He threw his first interception since he made his first start against UCF.

Fox’s pass to Ward made it 16-3 with a couple of minutes left in the first half.

“I thought he did some really good stuff,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a couple things he wanted to have back.”

On the ground, running back Diore Hubbard led with 64 yards and was banged up for the game. Hubbard didn’t find the end zone because it was pass rusher Curtis Jones, who scored the Mountaineers’ two rushing touchdowns. Jones’ final rushing touchdown put the pin in it, going up 29-19 with 4:15.

WVU ran for 167 yards, and Fox rushed 17 times for 58 yards.

Zac Alley’s defensive line made it difficult for the Buffaloes’ young quarterback, Julian Lewis, and had its way against the banged-up Colorado offensive line. The Buffaloes’ starting left tackle, who could be a high NFL Draft pick, Jordan Seaton, didn’t play and had a boot on before the game.

Alley’s defense sacked Lewis a season-high seven times, and linebacker Reid Carrico had two of them. Most of the game, Lewis was running from someone in gold and blue.

“They got a few sacks, but there were a few more that we missed,” Rodriguez said. “But our defense played hard.”

The special teams also had a breakthrough to start the game, blocking a punt for a safety for the first points of the game.

Even with the constant pressure, Lewis had a couple deep throws, torching the WVU secondary. He was 22-35 for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He outdueled Fox through the air.

“I thought their freshman quarterback played outstanding out there,” Rodriguez said.

Colorado’s top receiver, Omarion Miller, was an issue for the Mountaineers’ secondary. Miller had six catches for 131 yards and had a big contested touchdown in the middle of the third quarter, making it 19-16 WVU.

Lewis’ deep throws kept Colorado in the game. Lewis connected deep to Joseph Williams for 42 yards. WVU’s defense held, and the Buffs kicked a field goal, getting within three points again, 22-19.

It came down to a failed onside kick after Colorado kicked a field goal and made it 29-22 with 1:16 left to play. A couple of runs, and WVU sang “Country Roads” for the first time in almost two months, with still the possibility of a bowl game.

WVU heads to Tempe, Arizona, to face Arizona State as one of its last games.

“Believe it or not, we still have a chance to go to a bowl game,” Rodriguez said. “We got to win out.”