Sills Has Moved On From Last Year’s Loss
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MORGANTOWN -- For many athletes the legacy they leave behind when their playing days have come to a close are at, or near, the top of their 'to-do' lists.
Not so for No. 9 West Virginia's David Sills V.
The Mountaineers' leader in receptions (43), receiving yards (626) and touchdown catches (11) was asked about one such moment during Tuesday's weekly press meetings.
WVU was in Fort Worth (Texas) to take on then-No. 8 TCU and the game, as they always seem to be when these two Big 12 opponents collide on the gridiron, was coming down to the game's final minutes.
The Horned Frogs of veteran coach Gary Patterson had just taken a 31-24 lead following a Kenny Hill 4-yard run. The drive not only gave the hosts the lead but had erased nearly seven minutes off the fourth quarter clock.
With one final chance to either win the game in regulation time or send it into overtime, then-juniors Will Grier and Sills went to work.
Moments later the Mountaineers' 'Dynamic Duo' connected on a 25-yard completion which apparently gave the Mountaineers a first down inside the Frogs' 25-yard line.
Apparently.
Seconds before the catch was made, a yellow flag came floating to the surface at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mountaineer fans were elated because they felt their star receiver had been interfered with on the catch.
However, just as suddenly, the official who threw the flag pointed at WVU's Sills and, following a lengthy review, it was upheld, and the visitors found themselves not only back where they had started but 15-yards further away from the TCU goal line.
Needless to say, the drive stalled and so did WVU's hope for an upset victory in what was quickly becoming a roller coaster season for the Mountaineers.
"I haven't watched it," Sills said. "I don't plan on watching it. I try not to live in the past but choose to focus on the future and the future has us playing them on Saturday."
At least there would be a greater motivation after what happened a year ago?
"No, not really," Sills said. "Every game is important for us right now. We have to keep winning, no matter who the opponent is if we are going to reach the goals, we have established for ourselves."
A feeling echoed by fellow senior wideout Gary Jennings Jr.
"Sure, we (the players) talk about it (the Big 12 playoff), but we understand none of that happens if we don't win on Saturday," Jennings said. "We're a pretty mature group and our job is to keep the younger guys grounded.
"The last thing we want to do now is look past anybody we play and that starts this Saturday with TCU. Every team in this league is capable of beating you and about the time you forget that one of them comes up and does just that."
Case in point: Iowa State.
"You know I really get tired of being asked about that game," WVU coach Dana Holgorsen quipped when asked if Texas had tried to employ the same defensive scheme ISU had deployed in their 30-14 win. "There were a lot of factors that played into that game. Most of all we didn't play like we were capable of playing. I give all the credit to Iowa State, but we've learned from that game and we've moved on"
The biggest takeaway for Sills and Jennings from that loss? Not to take any defender for granted and always work your hardest to get open and make the play.
"TCU's defensive backs are very aggressive and very talented," Jennings said. "They are going to challenge you. We have to be ready to respond to their challenge and make plays when we have opportunities to make plays."