WVU’s Defense Stands Strong In Double-OT Victory Over Baylor
Trending
MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia offense wasn't clicking all day but its defense stood tall time after time.
In the end, a toe-dragging interception in the back of the end zone by Tykee Smith set up the game-winning touchdown by running back Leddie Brown in double overtime to give the Mountaineers a 27-21 victory.
"Obviously, we just had a pretty good celebration in the locker room," WVU coach Neal Brown said. "I'll say this, winning is hard. I think in COVID times, it's probably even harder. That was a great program win."
In the first overtime, it took Baylor just one play to put the ball in the end zone. Smith was ready the second time around.
"We kind of figured they were going to try to take another shot," Smith said. "Then, I saw him running free down the middle (of the field and made the play)."
Another crucial moment came with 4:06 remaining in the game and West Virginia leading 14-7.
Baylor drove down to the WVU 1-yard line and on fourth-and-goal, the Mountaineers came up with a goal line stand to keep the lead intact.
Linebackers Tony Fields II and Josh Chandler made the stop, although replays looked as if the ball may have broken the plane, the call on the field was not overturned by officials.
"We played our tails off in the red zone," Brown said of his defense.
Fields led the WVU defense with 10 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, two QB hits, a sack and a pass breakup.
Free safety Alonzo Addae and Chandler each added nine stops, with Chandler delivering two TFLs.
Junior cornerback Dreshun Miller put his stamp on the game with his first career interception to halt a Baylor drive late in the third inside West Virginia territory to keep the Mountaineers' 14-7 lead alive.
The wrecking crew of Darius Stills, Akheem Mesidor and Jeffery Pooler made its presence felt all game, as well.
Stills turned in 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while both Mesidor and Pooler garnered a sack and a stop behind the line each to keep the pressure on the Baylor offense.
"I thought Darius Stills played like the preseason hype he's been given, and he earned those accolades," Brown said. "I thought he played extremely well. Tony Fields II had 10-plus tackles, Josh Chandler had two TFLs, Alonzo Addae was big again (Saturday) and Tykee Smith and Dreshun Miller both had huge interceptions."
A season ago, Stills also dominated the Bears with 10 tackles and three sacks.
His reason for the success against Baylor? Well, it's quite simple.
"I just like to play ball," Stills said. "Football is my passion. We just kicked it into another gear and we got the job done. I'm proud of our defense."
Darius' brother Dante made a big play himself just before halftime.
In a 7-7 ballgame, Dante broke through the line of scrimmage and got a hand on the ball, blocking it and keeping the contest deadlocked at the break.
On offense, the Mountaineers' struggles consisted of five fumbles (two lost), 5 of 18 on third down conversions and two Jarret Doege interceptions.
West Virginia also suffered 12 penalties for 102 yards but the defensive play made up for the rest of the setbacks.
"We executed sudden change, which we practice a lot," Brown said. "It's when the offense turns the ball over, then the defense comes out and immediately puts it back on offense."
In total, the West Virginia defense finished with six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups, while holding Baylor to 1-yard of total offense in the first quarter and 27 yards rushing in the game, which had the 978 fans in attendance enjoying the outcome.
"In our program on defense, we talk about takeaways, we talk about negative plays, sacks, tackles for loss, and we talk about red zone defense," Brown said. "(Saturday), we won the game with several takeaways."