WVU Bids to Win Finale
Kickoff slated for 4:15 p.m. today
Trending
MORGANTOWN -- Frustrating losses have become all too commonplace for WVU this season.
The Mountaineers take a 4-7 record into today's finale at TCU. The latest disappointment came just six days ago when Neal Brown's young charges dropped a 20-13 verdict to visiting Oklahoma State.
That setback to the 8-3 Cowboys, packaged with winnable games against Texas and Baylor, cost the Mountaineers a possible seven-win season and a bowl berth.
WVU's winning efforts were again sabotaged by three familiar issues: an inability to score touchdowns in the red zone, dropped passes and an inept running game. The Mountaineers netted just 22 yards on the ground against the Cowboys, while also dropping four passes.
The Mountaineers had a first-and-goal on the Oklahoma State 1-yard-line in the first half and came away with only a field goal. On its final possession of the game, WVU earned a first down inside the Cowboys' 20 with a chance to tie the contest. It wasn't to be, however, as the hosts turned the ball over on downs.
WVU will be facing a TCU team also down on its luck. The Horned Frogs have lost three of their last four starts to fall to 5-6. Coach Gary Patterson's squad is coming off a 28-24 loss at Oklahoma.
A win today would propel TCU into bowl eligibility.
One bright spot for WVU has been the play of Jarret Doege.
The Bowling Green transfer has started the past two games at quarterback, engineering an upset at Kansas State followed by a solid effort against Oklahoma State. He completed 28-of-38 tosses for 307 yards and a TD this past Saturday.
"We've made a lot of improvement since the beginning of the season," Brown said during Monday's Big 12 coaches' teleconference. "I am obviously disappointed. We had chances to win a couple games down the stretch and didn't get it done.
"This league is tough week-in and week-out. This week is no different. Our guys are going to be up for the challenge. We are looking forward to playing on Friday (today). It's Thanksgiving week," he continued. "We just want to finish strong. We want to send our seniors out in the right fashion and to continue our improvement. We?re a young football team. Most of our team will be back for the next two years."
The TCU offense is triggered by quarterback Max Duggan. He has completed 166-of-303 tosses for 1,933 yards. He has thrown 15 TDs while being picked eight times.
Duggan's favorite target is Jalen Reager. He has hauled in 37 passes for 554 yards, five being TDs. Darius Anderson is the Frogs' top rusher with 792 stripes and six TDs.
"We had a chance to win against Oklahoma last week," Patterson said during his Tuesday press conference. "We got down 21-0 to a very good team and battled back. The WVU game is big in that it is a chance for us to become bowl eligible while sending our seniors out in the right fashion.
"WVU is a very physical team. We need to take care of the football. Their quarterback has now started two games and is 1-1. I think they are more open now offensively," he added. "Their defense has gotten better and better. Their defensive coordinator (Vic Koenning) and I were teammates in college (Kansas State)."
Despite the solid play of Doege the past two games, he may not be the guy able to take the Mountaineers where they want to go. His long-term starting status is not etched in stone.
"I haven't made any decision long-term on quarterbacks, but I do think Jarret has played well," Brown said during his press conference this week. "He's managed the game well and he has been really efficient as a passer."
BUBBA'S EER BITS
∫ Five of TCU's six losses have come by seven points or less.
∫ Patterson is in his 19th year at the TCU helm. He owns a 172-69 record with the Horned Frogs.
∫ Today will mark a record 47th start on the offensive line for Union Local's Colton McKivitz. His 46 starts are third most in WVU football history.
∫ Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.
∫ TCU is a 12-point favorite.
∫ The all-time grid series between the two schools is tied at 4-4.
∫ WVU won last year's meeting by a 47-10 count.
∫ WVU is 7-3 in games played on Nov. 29.
∫ The Horned Frogs will honor their 21 seniors during a pre-game celebration.
∫ TCU is in the midst of a $100 million stadium seating expansion project.
∫ This is WVU's 128th year of football.