WVU’s McKivitz Looking for Better Results
Union Local grad preparing for second bowl start
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MORGANTOWN -- What a difference a year makes.
Just ask former Union Local standout Colton McKivitz.
"Last year I didn't really know what to expect," the sophomore right tackle said. "Being a freshman, it all kind of just was a blur.
"I mean, you're in Orlando and you're playing Miami. I guess I got a little caught up in all the hype and by the time the game kicked off, it was all pretty much of a dream."
Or nightmare depending on how you look at the Hurricanes 31-14 victory.
"This year will be different," McKivitz said. "It's going to be a cool experience. I remember watching the Texas-Oklahoma games in the Cotton Bowl growing up and now I'm getting a chance to play on that field."
And, while the opponent won't be a Miami, Utah will present a challenge for McKivitz and his offensive line mates.
"They are big and strong," the lineman said. "Not much different from what we have faced this year. But, every defense is different, and we have been preparing since we found out who we were going to play to face them."
But, they will face the Utes' defense without its most experience lineman as senior left guard Kyle Bosch has not recovered from an injury he suffered against the Longhorns.
Lining up in his place will be redshirt freshman Josh Sills. The Byesville native will be making his eighth start of the season, while redshirt junior Yodny Cajuste will line up at left tackle.
Making his 12th start at center will be redshirt sophomore Matt Jones while redshirt senior Grant Lingafelter will line up beside McKivitz at right guard.
"Not really," offensive line coach Joe Wickline said when asked if the loss of Bosch would be a major problem. "We're on the same mission. The additional time has allowed our younger guys to get better."
The unit performed well in the loss to Oklahoma, helping the Mountaineers rush for 251 yards and four touchdowns against the Sooners while protecting redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov, who was making his first start, and allowing him to complete 10-of-20 passes for 137 yards.
"We understand that we won't have Justin (Crawford) or Will (Grier) back there," McKivitz said. "But, we're linemen. Our jobs don't really change that much depending on who's back there. If we do our jobs, it doesn't really matter."
In other notes of interest:
∫ When the news came out that junior wide receiver David Sills V elected to forego the upcoming NFL Draft and return to Morgantown a collective sigh of relief could be heard around the Mountain State.
"It (the decision) really wasn't that hard," the Biletnikoff Award finalist said. "For me, it was a matter of doing what was best for me. Having another year at receiver to learn will make me a better player next season."
The nation's leader with 18 touchdown catches earned first team All-American honors from Sporting News, CBS Sports and SI.com and second team honors from the Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, SBNation and The All-American.
∫ The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Roy Philpott calling the play-by-play, Rene Ingoglia the analysis and Kris Budden on the sidelines.
∫ Utah holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series. The Utes and Mountaineers met on Dec. 19, 1964, in Atlantic City, N.J., in the Liberty Bowl with Utah taking a 32-6 victory.
∫ Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is no stranger to postseason bowls or the Big 12. The Utes' veteran head coach owns a 4-3 mark against current Big 12 members and has led Utah to a 10-1 mark in bowl contests.
∫ The Cotton Bowl Stadium has a capacity of 92,100 seats, but only 42,000 for the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Utes have played in the Cotton Bowl once, defeating SMU in 1996.
∫ This will be West Virginia's first visit to the Cotton Bowl.