Baylor's Bryson Washington makes a catch Saturday in opposition to WVU.
MORGANTOWN — The resurgence of the West Virginia College soccer protection took a complete recreation.
The Mountaineers fell again into previous dangerous habits of their 49-35 loss to Baylor on Saturday. A defensive unit that appeared prefer it had made strides from its much-maligned earlier efficiency final week in opposition to Cincinnati noticed acquainted struggles resurface in opposition to the Bears, main to a different dismal end result.
WVU (5-5, Four-Three Massive 12) gave up a season-high 512 yards of whole offense in opposition to the Bears, essentially the most the Mountaineers have allowed since leaving the Oklahoma to build up 644 yards final season. Baylor's level whole was essentially the most WVU has given up for the reason that Sooners' 59 in 2023.
“Actually, the identical points which have plagued us all yr got here up once more tonight.” WVU coach Neal Brown stated.
Amongst these issues – a porous go protection, too many massive performs and an lack of ability to cease opponents on third and fourth downs. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson completed with a career-high 329 passing yards, threw for 3 touchdowns and had no interceptions. His three landing passes went for 22, 43 and 40 yards, respectively. One other play of the sport got here with Bryson Washington's 51-yard landing run.
Pictures courtesy of Allen Melson WVU working again Hudson Clement tries to catch a go throughout Saturday's 49-35 loss in opposition to Baylor.
WVU's secondary has struggled all season, Brown stated, and Saturday was no totally different.
“There have been some massive balls within the first half the place we simply didn't play the ball very properly,” Brown stated. “That's been an issue all yr. I attempted a bunch of various issues. I simply didn't play very properly there.”
The Mountaineers additionally allowed Baylor to transform eight of 13 third downs and its solely fourth down try. WVU has now allowed opponents to transform 46.eight p.c of third downs and 66.7 p.c of fourth downs, each of which rank among the many worst within the nation.
West Virginia had some defensive success within the third quarter, holding Baylor to 1.Four yards per carry and recording its solely sack of the evening. It was WVU's solely scoreless quarter. The Bears missed a 55-yard area purpose quick.
Brown stated the strategy was at its finest in the course of the third. Linebacker Reid Carrico stated defensive coordinator Jeff Koonz — main the unit for the second recreation after Jordan Lesley was dismissed — introduced the group collectively for a halftime speak.
“He actually hit residence that what we did within the first half was not our commonplace protection,” Carrico stated. “So all of us purchased into it and within the third quarter, we performed actually good protection.”
That didn't final previous the third. WVU gave up a pair of touchdowns within the fourth quarter, and Baylor's yards per carry elevated to six.2.
“We sort of tousled there on the finish,” Carrico stated.
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Quarterback Garrett Greene knew final Tuesday that he felt properly sufficient to play Saturday. Greene obtained his probability, beginning and taking part in in his first recreation since being benched within the loss to Kansas State.
Greene completed the Baylor recreation with 237 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 19-of-39 passing whereas including 129 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Regardless of lacking two video games with a head harm and seeing Nicco Marchiol begin in his place, Greene stated he didn't enter the Baylor recreation shy.
“They instructed me to play the way in which I at all times play” Greene stated. “If you attempt to play scared or upset or no matter, that's when dangerous issues occur. So they simply instructed me to play my recreation.”
Brown stated Greene had some nice moments in the course of the Baylor recreation, however there have been additionally some decision-making issues. Greene admitted he wished a few of the third-down choices again.
Brown stated a few of Greene's throws don't want an try.
“I like the child as a result of he competes” Brown stated. “He's an explosive runner and he threw the ball properly at occasions.”
“The interception was a really dangerous determination,” he added. “That ball ought to by no means have been thrown.”
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Brown stated extensive receiver Traylon Ray is completed for the yr after struggling a leg harm within the third quarter Saturday evening. Ray tangled with Baylor defensive again Caden Jenkins on the Bear 10. Jenkins was flagged for go interference, and Ray went down with a severe leg harm. He was carted off the sphere and by no means returned.
“It wasn't good” Brown stated. “It didn't simply harm us as a result of he was making some huge cash, nevertheless it harm us emotionally. We had some guys who actually struggled with it, since you may inform on the sphere what the harm was.
“Our talent set may be very shut,” Brown added, “And emotionally, it was onerous to beat.”
Brown stated Ray will recuperate however can be out for the remainder of the season. He completed the sport with 22 yards and a landing on three catches and completed the season with 28 catches for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Brown stated that in Ray's place, Justin Robinson should step up.
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WVU's residence finale in opposition to UCF will start Saturday at Three:30 p.m. and can be televised on ESPNU.