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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football coach Dana Holgorsen has announced that senior running back Justin Crawford has decided not to participate in the 2017 Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl and will focus on his preparation for the 2018 NFL Draft.
"Justin has logged a lot of miles and been a key contributor for us the past two seasons," Holgorsen said. "He made a decision to not play in the bowl game based on what is best for him and his family. He came to West Virginia to further his education and be a featured back in the Big 12 and he accomplished his goals. As he starts his preparation for the NFL Draft, we wish him nothing but the best."
Crawford, a second-team All-Big 12 performer, was the third leading rusher in the Big 12 Conference with 1,061 yards and seven touchdowns. He had seven 100-yard rushing performances, including a season-high 125 yards against Kansas. He finished with multiple touchdowns against East Carolina (two) and Delaware State (three).
Crawford became the first WVU running back to rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since Noel Devine in 2008 and 2009.
As a junior in 2016, Crawford finished with 1,184 yards and four touchdowns and was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year as well as a All-Big 12 first-team selection. He had a career-best 331 yards against Oklahoma and had 209 yards against Baylor.
There was also some good news coming out of West Virginia as junior quarterback Will Grier has announced that he will return for his senior season in 2018.
"After much prayer and consultation with my family and coaches, I have decided to return to WVU for my senior season," Grier said. "There is still a great deal that I want this team to accomplish and I look forward to helping lead us to success in 2018. I am completely focused and looking forward to building off the success we had this year and want to do even greater things next year. West Virginia is my home, and I couldn't be more excited about the future here."
Grier, who will graduate Saturday with a degree in multidisciplinary studies, was the 2017 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year as selected by the league coaches, ESPN.com and the Associated Press. He has started 11 games this season, completing 250 of 388 passes for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has thrown for 300 or more yards in nine games and has had multiple touchdown passes in 10 games. Grier sustained a hand injury against Texas that forced him to miss the remainder of the regular season.
In his first season at West Virginia, his top performances were 375 yards and five touchdowns at Baylor, 372 yards and four touchdowns at Kansas State and 371 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia Tech.
"Will's decision to return next year certainly makes it a great day for West Virginia football," Holgorsen said. "He is a great leader for our program, and I know our fans enjoy watching his talents on the football field. His teammates and the coaching staff are certainly looking forward to his return, and this is positive news for all involved."
Grier, who already is tied for No. 9 in school history in touchdown passes, was named a second-team All-Big 12 Conference performer by ProFootballFocus, a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist and the league's newcomer of the week five times. He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 16 and was the Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week two times.
Nationally, Grier ranks No. 7 in passing touchdowns and pass efficiency, No. 8 in passing yards per game, No. 9 in points responsible for per game and yards per pass attempt, No. 10 in total offense, No. 11 in points responsible for, No. 13 in completions per game, No. 15 in passing yards, No. 16 in passing yards per completion and No. 20 in completion percentage.
He also ranks among the top three in the Big 12 statistics in passing touchdowns, total offense, passing yards per game, passing efficiency, completions per game, points responsible for, points responsible for per game and yards per pass attempt.
In the West Virginia single-season record book, Grier ranks No. 2 in passing touchdowns, is tied for No. 2 in touchdowns responsible for and is No. 5 in total offense and completions. He is No. 3 in junior passing and total offense.