West Virginia To Host No. 16 Kansas State on Halloween
Howard to start at QB for Wildcats
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MORGANTOWN -- It's a tough turnaround for the Mountaineers after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Lubbock last week to Texas Tech.
West Virginia (3-2, 2-2 Big 12) lost on a 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown -- the only score of the fourth quarter -- in a 34-27 setback.
Now, WVU welcomes No. 16 Kansas State (4-1, 4-0) into Milan Puskar Stadium -- where the Mountaineers are still unbeaten this season (3-0) -- for a noon kickoff on Saturday.
"We didn't get the job done in Lubbock," WVU coach Neal Brown said. "We didn't play bad but we didn't make the necessary plays late to win the game. If you look at most of the Big 12, the games have come down to the fourth quarter. Three of our Big 12 games have come down to the fourth quarter and we're 1-2 in those games. We have to find ways as a staff and players to finish those games because that's the way it's going to be in our league.
"Now, it's time to turn the page to Kansas State."
For the second straight week, West Virginia will face off against a backup quarterback.
This time it's true freshman Will Howard, who is making the start after suffering an upper body injury and will miss the remainder of the season.
In his start last week, Howard looked like a seasoned veteran, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-14 victory over Kansas, while completing 17 of his 24 passes.
He also ran for 23 yards on six attempts.
"Will Howard has a real calm demeanor about him," Brown said. "He's a big kid and a strong runner. He's made two or three difficult passes in each game he's played in so far for explosive plays, too."
Another freshman who could give the WVU defense problems is running back Deuce Vaughn, who is the team's leading rusher (309 yards and four TDs) and top receiver (360 yards).
"They've done a great job with (Vaughn)," Brown said of the KSU coaching staff. "He's elusive and he's an issue. We'll have to ID him wherever he is on the field."
Senior tight end Briley Moore leads the team in touchdown receptions with three, while racking up 234 yards. He will also need to be held in check for the Mountaineers to get back in the win column.
"Briley Moore does a good job in the run game but they've found ways to get him the ball, too," Brown said. "He's a big kid, he breaks tackles and he can run for his size.
"And they don't give up a lot of negative plays. Their offensive line does a nice job."
In last week's loss, West Virginia's top ranked defense in the nation allowed 348 yards and fell to sixth in the country (261.8 yards per game), just ahead of state-rival Marshall (265) at seventh.
Despite the loss, WVU QB Jarret Doege threw for 347 yards and a score, completing 32 of his 50 passes.
"I thought Doege played the best game of his career here throwing the football and getting the ball out on time," Brown said.
His top target, Winston Wright Jr., put on a show with nine grabs for 126 yards.
Running back Leddie Brown is ranked seventh in the country in rushing with 592 yards and seven touchdowns.
He'll have an interesting matchup with the Wildcats' defensive front this week.
"They've always played the run well," Brown said of KSU. "They are difficult to prepare for in all three phases and they really rush the passer, too."
Kansas State sits atop the Big 12 standings -- currently two games up on the Mountaineers in fourth place. A win for WVU would be pivotal in making up some much-needed ground.