Drew gives us the lowdown on the Mountaineer offense.
Starters
Quarterback
#6 – Garrett Greene – 5’11”, 205 – Sr
Notes
- One of the most prolific running quarterbacks in the Big 12 with 65 carries for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- 90/157 for 1267 yards, with 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on the season.
- Coming off a 18/31 for 206 yards performance against Iowa State with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
- Ran for 87 yards on 10 carries against Iowa State
- Has thrown 2 interceptions in 3 of 5 games
Running Back
#1 – Jahiem White – 5’7”, 190 – So
or
#4 – CJ Donaldson
Notes
- White was a 2023 Freshman All-American
- Both backs have 5 rushing touchdowns.
- Donaldson leads the team in carries with 80.
- White put up a huge 158 yard, 19 carry game against Oklahoma State.
- White led the team in carries against Iowa State with 12 to Donaldson’s 9.
Wide Receiver
WR (X)
#7 – Traylon Ray – 6’1”, 195 – So
WR (Z)
#3 – Hudson Clement – 6’1”, 200 – R.So
Injury Note
- Former starting wide receiver and OK St. transfer Jaden Bray is out with injury.
Notes
- Clement leads the team in receptions (22) and yards (334)
- Ray is second on the team in receptions (18) and yards (251)
- Ray and Clement both have a single touchdown reception on the season
Tight End
IR/TE (Y)
#87 – Kole Taylor – 6’7”, 250 – Sr
TE/FB
#81 – Treylan Davis – 6’3”, 265 – R.Jr
Notes
- Davis is primarily a blocking TE/FB
- Taylor, and LSU transfer is coming off his best game of the season with a 5 reception, 44-yard performance in a loss to Iowa State.
- Taylor leads the team in touchdown receptions (2) and is second in receptions (18).
Offensive Line
Right Tackle
#58 – Nick Malone – 6’5”, 300 – R.Sr
Right Guard
#66 – Ja’Quay Hubbard – 6’5”, 322 – R.Sr
Center
#50 – Brandon Yates – 6’4”, 310 – R.Sr
Left Guard
#55 – Tomas Rimac – 6’6”, 318 – R.Jr
Left Tackle
#74 – Wyatt Milum – 6’6”, 317 – Sr
Notes
- West Virginia has stared the same 5 linemen in every game this season
- The Mountaineers are 67th in the nation in sacks allowed per game (1.83)
- The Mountaineers are 21st in the nation in rushing yards per game (210.5)
Overall
Like Kansas State, Neal Brown’s team features a 3-headed monster in the backfield with Greene, Donaldson and White pacing the offense. When forced to pass, they struggle to move the ball, and Greene has a bad habit of throwing the ball to the wrong team. This is a weird matchup because both teams mirror each other on offense, but Kansas State has the better talent.
I anticipate the Wildcats loading up against the run and making Greene and the receivers try and beat them through the air. They’ve yet to prove capable of producing consistent offense with their passing game. When they get behind the sticks, they struggle to convert first downs. This is an offense that needs to stay on schedule. Kansas State’s disruptive defensive front could give this team fits if they can live in the West Virginia backfield.
My only area of concern regarding an unimpressive, to date, Mountaineers offense is their ability to control the clock with their run game. Kansas State has occasionally struggled to get off the field this season. I don’t think this team can score with the ‘Cats and anticipate them sitting on the ball and shortening the game.
This is a game where the Kansas State defense has to get drive stoppers on defense, and the offense needs to be efficient. I don’t think either should be an issue.