The New View | Mitch Vingle

As WVU’s loss at Iowa State unfolded into certainty, I couldn’t help but flash back to January of 1989.

And to dearly departed scribe Mickey Furfari.

At the time, he was my boss as the sports editor at the Dominion Post in Morgantown. We, along with a few others from the newspaper, were sent to cover the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, aka the national championship between West Virginia and Notre Dame.

I remember Mickey because after covering the team all those years, after waiting for just such a moment, the Dean’s computer went on the fritz. He had to dash back to the hotel (for, yes, he was prepared, bringing another). When he’d returned, though, the game had all but been decided. He’d missed it.

Major Harris’ arm had already been ground into the soggy turf. Tony Rice had already struck. Rocket Ismail had already struck. The game was, for all intents and purposes, over. And Mickey missed it, not returning until halftime.

I bring that up because I’d been thinking maybe, just maybe, this might be that special year for WVU. Will Grier found his way to Morgantown. A fine receiving corps is on hand. There are a pair of nice offensive tackles. On the other side, defensive linemen Kenny Bigelow and Jabril Robinson transferred in to help linebacker David Long and company.

Maybe, I thought, I’d see what Mickey never did. I just had this hunch. WVU has Oklahoma at home this season and, well, if not this year, when?

Then came Saturday night’s mauling at the hands of ISU. One hundred yards passing. One-of-10 on third downs. Seven sacks.

It has me wondering. God bless ya, Mick, but, hey, am I ever going to see it?

I know. Perhaps there’s still time this season, if Dana Holgorsen can pull a Bob Huggins and “fix it.” He seems to have confidence. And he does have an off week.

“There’s a lot we didn’t do [against Iowa State], but I know this group has it in them,” said Holgorsen on Monday. “I’ve seen it. It’s my job to take as much time as we have to get these guys ready to go. We could use a few extra days, certainly.”

***

During Holgorsen’s Big 12 conference call on Monday, he was asked about the extraordinarily rough outing by Grier. And check out where he used emphasis within his answer.

“It’s really frustrating,” said Holgorsen. “That’s part of being the quarterback. Everybody is going to blame the quarterback, the play caller and the head coach. And all that needs to come my way, there’s no question. It’s not fair to point the finger at him 100 percent. The expectations he has on himself and we have on him – and the whole country has on him – can be unrealistic at times.

“We need to do a better job of blocking up front. We need to do a better job of running the ball to take some pressure off the passing game. We need to do a much better job of running routes and getting open. And then we have to trust what we’re doing and let ‘er rip. We’ve got a little work to do here.”

Catch that? WVU needs to do a “MUCH better job of running routes and getting open.”

So while folks were screaming for Grier to throw the ball on Saturday, maybe, just maybe, there was more going on than the TV showed.

***

The headline from Holgorsen’s conference call appearance had to do with Iowa State’s postgame fan management.

Or what he perceived as a lack thereof.

The Mountaineer coach was asked about getting his team off the field as thousands swarmed Jack Trice Stadium.

“Yeah, it was very unprofessional,” said Holgorsen. “Our job is to keep student-athletes in a safe place. And when you have thousands of people coming at you, it’s not good. There are league rules and league bans against that for a reason. Our job is to keep players safe. We didn’t have time to get them off the field. So that was not good.”

Holgorsen did say no Mountaineers were hurt.

“It was dicey there for a while,” said Holgorsen. “We rushed a few of the main guys off and the rest were kind of on their own. Luckily, we got out of there without anyone getting hurt.”

Oh, and no, the Mountaineer coach didn’t have a chance to shake the hand of ISU coach Matt Campbell.

***

And finally…

Holgorsen was asked if the quarterback turnover within the Big 12 had to do with low scores on Saturday or if league defenses have improved. Five the eight teams playing last week failed to hit 20 points.

“The defenses have been playing well,” said Holgorsen. “Our defense has been playing pretty good holding people down. Texas Tech’s defense has improved. Kliff [Kingsbury] is doing well at that. Coach [Bill] Snyder’s [Kansas State] defense, I thought, was outstanding when it came [to Morgantown]. And then obviously Iowa State did as good a job against us as anybody ever has.

“I think we’re doing a good job in this league defensively. It’s always been known for offense, but I’d say at this point defenses have been doing well as well.”

West Virginia University’s football team is in some rarified air right now.

Not like that of 2007, mind you, when the Mountaineers climbed to No. 1 in the coaches’ poll and No. 2 in the A.P. poll, but rarified nonetheless at No. 6 in both rankings.

Yet I’m getting the feeling those in the Mountain State are still taking an optimistic wait-and-see approach to their team. Because of the second half of the victory at Texas Tech. Because of the sloppy home win against Kansas.

College Football Playoff? Sugar Bowl? Peach Bowl? The latter is where CFP guru Jerry Palm projects WVU at the moment. And I will stick with my preseason 10-2 prediction, minus a loss because the North Carolina State game was cancelled. I had that down as a Mountaineer defeat. (I also predicted a West Virginia loss at Texas.)

Yet there are concerns. First, folks are starting to point more and more at WVU’s early schedule. And I’m beginning to think the N.C. State cancellation (assuming the Mountaineers would have won) might indeed hurt if the team finishes 10-1.

Then, on the field, it appears the interior of the offensive line is still a bit of a problem — at least if recent inside runs are the measuring stick. While the West Virginia passing game is all most expected – a 364.1-yard average, No. 4 nationally – the run game is No. 81, averaging 162.2 yards.

Also, many in the media have stated they are still not sold on the Mountaineer defense. Maybe that’s because the D has allowed 56 points in the past two games. As for me, I’m more sold because I’ve seen the impact of nose tackle Kenny Bigelow and end Jabril Robinson, both transfers. Yet in the 3-3-5, I’d like to see more from the Mike linebacker spot, where Dylan Tonkery has 22 tackles, and the Spur safety position, where Dravon Askew-Henry has 17. Both had one tackle last Saturday, although Tonkery had to sit in the second half. Heck, because of turnovers, tackle Yodny Cajuste had two tackles and QB Will Grier had one.

Still, it’s a thrilling time to be a WVU fan. When clicking, the offense is a sight to behold. It’s one you can mention in the same breath as the Pat White or Major Harris teams. And maybe freshman Leddie Brown can be the spark for the running game. Now, on to Iowa State.

***

Last week, I warned about the Cyclones, WVU’s 7 p.m. opponent this coming Saturday. I wrote that despite a 1-3 record, ISU had lost to Iowa, Oklahoma and TCU by a combined 23 points.

And then the Cyclones went to Stillwater and outscored then-4-1 Oklahoma State 48-42.

Also, ISU got a spark from true freshman quarterback Brock Purdy. With regular starter Kyle Kempt out with a knee issue, Purdy replaced Zeb Nolan and threw for 318 yards on 18-of-23 passing with four TDs. In addition, he ran for 84 yards.

WVU coach Dana Holgorsen has seen the tape.

“We’ve watched it and we’ll continue to rewatch it the next 12 hours,” said Holgorsen on Monday. “He came in and did a good job. It was kind of unexpected on our part. We still have to worry about Kyle Kempt coming back for this game. You have the new freshman that went out there, ran around and did a good job. He made a lot of plays. And Nolan is an experienced guy as well.

“(Purdy) went in there, completed 18 of 23 passes and ran for almost 100 yards. He played well against Oklahoma State. Once again, we’ll prepare for three different quarterbacks.”

***

Before I forget, let’s give credit to WVU’s Shane Lyons and, perhaps, ex-AD Oliver Luck for trying to present a formidable non-conference schedule to the Mountaineers. While other teams continued to load up on patsies, WVU scheduled Tennessee. Who knew the Vols would be staring at 2-6 to start the season? Also, N.C. State is undefeated. Who knew Hurricane Florence would be a thing? Here’s hoping if the Mountaineers do earn CFP consideration, the committee gives credit where it’s due.

NOTES:

# Holgorsen said on Monday expanded coaching staffs have helped him.

“It certainly allows us to be competitive from a recruiting point of view and from a game-planning point of view with the analysts,” said Holgorsen. “I think we’re in a lot better spot now than even a couple years ago. When I was calling plays, I wish I would have had that offensive analyst to help me throughout the course of the week.”

# Former WVU defensive lineman Adam Shuler has helped Florida to a good start. Against Tennessee, he had nine tackles. He had three in the team’s win against LSU.

# Prediction: WVU 35, Iowa State 32.

# And finally…

West Virginia’s Holgorsen said he didn’t mind Grier’s decisions to run against Kansas, even when the result was a lost helmet.

“I thought Will did a good job,” said Holgorsen. “On three different occasions, he pulled it on run plays. He has the opportunity to do that every time we call a run play. We’ve just been very careful with him. It was just flat-out there.”

WVU fans might cringe when they see their Mountaineers are favored in Las Vegas by 29 points (and climbing) for Saturday’s home game with Kansas.

Simply stirs up bad memories, this being-a-four-touchdown-fav business. There was that Backyard Brawl deal in 2007 that may never stop stinging. And last year, heavy underdog KU gave WVU fits in the second half before falling 56-34. Remember the name Khalil Herbert? The Jayhawk rushed for 291 yards on a steamy day in Lawrence. Also, in 2013, lowly Kansas stunned West Virginia 31-19.

Yet this Mountaineer team looks different. It seems more equipped to handle different kinds of pressure. WVU coach Dana Holgorsen has trusted Will Grier to handle the Heisman Trophy hype – which he’s done very nicely. And just last Saturday, his team handled a Texas Tech rally to post a 42-34 Big 12 road win against a ranked opponent. Again, nice.

The next question to be answered is if the team can learn from the “relaxation situation” that Holgorsen referenced Saturday. Remember too that last November, against the upcoming Jayhawks, the Mountaineers played a similar game. After taking a 35-13 halftime lead, WVU found itself in a 35-27 battle before pulling away.

“I guess I just chalk it up to human instinct more than anything, I guess,” Holgorsen said Monday. “Relaxing, when you can’t. We played pretty good in that (Saturday) first half, 35-10. That’s my fault. It’s a four-quarter game and we have to go out and keep playing hard.

“I give Tech a lot of credit. They could’ve folded their tent at halftime and didn’t. They came out and played really well, harder than we did and better than we did. We’re a veteran team and understand that in order to win we have to put four quarters together every game moving forward.”

The WVU coach said a point of emphasis before the Tech game was to start fast.

“I guess I forgot to tell them we have to play the whole game,” Holgorsen finished.

Meanwhile, Kansas coach David Beaty said Monday he’s trying to learn from WVU’s game with Texas Tech – as well as others.

“We’ll do the best we can looking at their entire body of work,” Beaty said. “The thing about their offense is they have lots and lots of firepower. And they also find a way to get it done in the end when needed. They have some really experienced guys, starting with Will (Grier), who I think is one of the better players I’ve seen at that position in a long time.

“He’s a great, great player. Fun to watch. Not fun to play against, but fun to watch.”

*

NOTES:

• If you’re looking ahead to the rest of October, WVU follows its Kansas game with an away contest at Iowa State and home visit from Baylor.

While on paper that may spell a 7-0 Mountaineer record, don’t overlook ISU. While the Cyclones are 1-3, they’ve lost to Iowa, Oklahoma and TCU by a combined 23 points.

• Kansas has whipped Central Michigan and Rutgers this season, while losing to Baylor (26-7) and Oklahoma State (48-28).
• Beaty on Monday had particular praise for WVU’s Marcus Simms and Kenny Bigelow. “I said this last year, watching Marcus play. I was so concerned about this guy because he has unbelievable, dynamic speed. And this guy has such strong hands. Guys are hanging all over him and he makes contested play after contested play.” Of Bigelow the KU coach said, “He causes some problems up front. That makes a big difference in that three-down front.”
• Beaty said Carter Stanley will again start at quarterback for the Jayhawks over Peyton Bender after going 24-for-32 for 247 yards against OSU. Another competitor for the job, Miles Kendrick, is injured and out for the WVU game.
• WVU, now ranked No. 8 in the coaches poll and No. 9 in the A.P. poll, will play its Oct. 13 game against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames at 7 p.m. It will be televised on FS1.
• And finally… My prediction: WVU 50, KU 20.

Something just wasn’t quite right on Monday’s Big 12 conference call.

There was Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury talking about the Red Raiders’ defense.

There was WVU’s Dana Holgorsen talking about the Mountaineers’ defense.

In a good way.

Odd, perhaps, considering the recent failures of both schools’ defense. Yet take a look at this Saturday’s opponents’ D now, Ma.

West Virginia’s defense is No. 1 in the Big 12 in total defense (304-yard average) and scoring (12.3 points). OK, and yes Tech is still at the bottom of the league in total defense, but check out what the Red Raiders did last week at Stillwater against then-No. 15 Oklahoma State. Tech won 41-17. Yes, 17. The Cowboys were in third-and-8 situations 11 of 13 times. They converted three.

“I think it’s assignment football,” Kingsbury said. “Guys are doing their jobs and making teams earn it instead of giving up big plays or trying to do too much. That’s developed over the last couple of years. Freshmen and sophomores are now juniors and seniors. We still have a long way to go, but we’re making strides and that’s encouraging.”

Linebacker Dakota Allen is leading Tech by averaging 6.2 tackles a game.

“I know from first-hand experience you don’t fix the defense overnight,” Holgorsen said. “They’ve recruited better and have a philosophy and scheme they believe in. Their players have bought into it and are playing hard. Their talent appears to be better.”

WVU linebacker David Long is the Big 12’s fourth-leading tackler, averaging 10.7.

“They’re improved in all three phases,” Kingsbury said. “Coach (Tony) Gibson has always done a tremendous job defensively. He’s developed a culture there. Very aggressive defense. Plays physical. Multiple looks. Playing at a high level. Nobody has scored on them.”
*
One could almost call Saturday’s noon ET game in Lubbock a “friendly.” At least when you look at the coaching staffs and talk to Holgorsen.

WVU offensive coordinator Jake Spavital is the brother of Tech defensive coordinator Zac. And get this: Holgorsen and Kingsbury once shared a two-bedroom apartment while on the University of Houston coaching staff.

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Holgorsen said. “We go way back. Going into these types of situations, you just don’t think that way. We’ll think about it long after we retire. Maybe we’ll like each other again and go on vacation again.”

The Mountaineer coach chuckled.

“It’s a hard thing about our profession,” he restarted. “You develop so many good friendships. When you’re in the same conference and competing against each other, it makes it kind of tough.

“I wish them well in every game but one. This happens to be the one.”
*
WVU quarterback Will Grier has been – deservedly so – in the Heisman Trophy talk so far. In regard to passing efficiency, he’s No. 2 nationally to Tua Tagovailoa. In completion percentage (74.7), he’s No. 3.

Yet when it comes to Big 12 stats, Tech QB Alan Bowman is No. 1 in total offense (387.2), while Grier is No. 2 (370). In passing yards per game, Bowman is also No. 1 (389.2) and Grier is No. 2 (372.3).

“He’s being coached by one of the best that’s ever done it,” Holgorsen said of Tech’s 6-3, 210-pound freshman. “Not surprising at all. The kid was a good player in high school. If you get coached up by Kliff then you’re going to be ready to go.”

“He was a four-year starter at Grapevine High School, which is a big high school in our state (of Texas),” Kingsbury said. “I knew he had some moxie. He’s very accustomed to playing in a similar spread offense with similar concepts. Very quick learner. So he had a lot of the intangibles that you look for to play early.”

Tech lost 47-27 to Mississippi, then defeated Lamar, Houston and Oklahoma State. WVU has defeated Tennessee, Youngstown State and Kansas State behind Grier. Eleven Mountaineers have caught passes so far.

“I’m pretty satisfied right now when it comes to that,” Holgorsen said. “Will’s job is to distribute the ball as he sees fit and as we coach him to do. And he’s doing a spectacular job now. We have star power with three guys (David Sills, Gary Jennings and Marcus Simms) who have been making plays, but then we’ve been trying to get other guys involved as well. I didn’t think we did a good job of that last year.”

“Week in and week out Jake (Spavital) will have a great game plan,” Kingsbury said. “He’ll have a bunch of new wrinkles. They have dynamic skill – as good as anyone in the country across the board. We’ll have our hands full.”
*
NOTES:
 On Monday, Holgorsen was asked about the new redshirt rule, which allows players up to four games of action before being ineligible. “I think it’s very, very, very positive for student-athletes, there’s no doubt about that,” said the WVU coach. “We’ve played a couple kids early and kind of put them on the shelf to save as long as we need as the year goes on.”
 WVU heads into the ESPN2 Saturday game ranked No. 12 in both major polls.
 Ex-Mountaineer receiver Jovon Durante, now at Florida Atlantic, is No. 25 nationally with 298 receiving yards.
 Texas Tech’s win at Oklahoma State was its first since 2001.
 And finally…
My thoughts about my first game in the stands in 38 years? (I attended WVU’s win against Kansas State.) Well, in sum, I loved the fellowship. I hated the porta potties outside the stadium. I loved the seats (closer than the press box). I hated the beer lines. (No beer hawkers in the stands?) Overall though, it’s cool to be back.

If you wondered what WVU football coach Dana Holgorsen was doing this past Saturday, well, it was probably the same thing as you – if you’re a sports fan.

“I’m a college football fan, now,” Holgorsen told ESPN radio’s GameDay during the Oklahoma-Iowa State game. “At the end of the day, I like watching football too.

“I don’t usually get to do this. Usually I’ve got too many things to do and too many things going on or too distracted. But I’m going to sit here and be a fan today and if I can pick up a few things about some of the teams we’re going to play, that’s good.”

Holgorsen had the opportunity, of course, because his team’s scheduled game at North Carolina State was canceled because of Hurricane Florence. The Mountaineer coach said he wasn’t involved in the decision, which was announced to the team prior to last Tuesday’s practice.

“I said, ‘OK, I guess we’ll move on to Kansas State at this point,” Holgorsen said.

He later said, though, K-State preparations really would begin this past Sunday.

“Practicing for one opponent for two weeks can go stale on you real quick,” Holgorsen said. “So we just went out and played football and had a good time.”

The Mountaineer coach said he didn’t want his players traveling over last weekend, but he did give them Saturday off. And that window allowed for the nice blast of national attention via the GameDay appearance. He got in plugs for WVU – as well as quarterback Will Grier. The interview lasted almost 10 minutes.

“Will is just a good quality person,” Holgorsen said of his QB. “He’s a coach’s kid. He loves the game. His story is very well-documented. He’s here with his wife. Actually, he’s here in my basement [on Saturday] with a couple of the other players just hanging out. He’s watching college football. His wife Jeanne is here too.

“Just loves the game of football. Loves family and friends and being a good teammate. Loves playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”

So far, Grier’s Heisman Trophy chase is going well. The senior is No. 4 nationally in passing yards a game, averaging 380.5 yards. His completion percentage is No. 3 at 76.7 percent.

“I’ve got a soft spot for coach’s kids,” Holgorsen told the national audience. “Me and his dad Chad are good friends, always have been. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a high school football coach in the Charleston, South Carolina, area – my thoughts and prayers go out to them.

“Just like that type of kid. My son, Logan, is a senior in high school here in Morgantown. He’s a part of the crew as well. He had a game [Friday] night. I think there’s about 20 of my players around. [David] Sills and all those guys get along. It’s a pretty special relationship going on here right now.”

# # #

WVU moved to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll and No. 13 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, which feels about right at this point.

And what has to feel good for the Big 12 is the league’s performance over the weekend. Yes, it could have been better had TCU upset Ohio State and Baylor downed Duke.

Yet consider the Big 12’s heretofore bottom-feeder Kansas drubbed Big Ten also-ran Rutgers 55-14; Now-No. 15 Oklahoma State knocked Boise State out of the Top 25, 44-21; Texas Tech defeated standout defensive lineman Ed Oliver and Houston, 63-49; and Texas sort of made up for its loss to Maryland by crushing USC 37-14.

Also, K-State, the Mountaineers’ 3:30 p.m. Saturday opponent, beat UTSA 41-17 and No. 5 Oklahoma got by a stubborn Iowa State. Overall, a very solid weekend for the league.

# # #

NOTES:

• I mentioned Grier was No. 4 in passing yards a game. What’s interesting is the three QBs ahead of him all have “Air Raid” connections as well. No. 1 is Gardner Minshew of Washington State, where coach Mike Leach is in charge. No. 2 is Alan Bowman of Texas Tech, where Kliff Kingsbury is trying to hold onto his job. And No. 3 is Mason Fine of North Texas, where former Tech assistant Seth Littrell leads the Mean Green.
• I always enjoy looking at the Sagarin computer rankings. This week, they spit out Oklahoma at No. 3, Oklahoma State at No. 8, TCU at No. 17 and WVU at No. 23. Marshall was at No. 88.
• Kansas State coach Bill Snyder didn’t give much of an update of strong safety Denzel Goolsby, who sat out the UTSA game, or backup cornerback Kevion McGee, who also didn’t play against the Roadrunners. Goolsby was the Cactus Bowl Defensive MVP versus UCLA.
• And finally…

Holgorsen said on Monday the canceled game against N.C. State “would have added to” the Big 12’s intriguing weekend. He maintained on his league’s conference call, though, the lost game would not hurt his team’s big-picture goals with nine Power 5 games ahead.