(Graphic Illustration - Monday Morning Quarterback - WVU Football - Image rendered through the use of ChatGPT)

From the opening kickoff Saturday, West Virginia looked nothing like the team which had struggled over the last several weeks. Beginning with the first series on offense the Mountaineers were able to control the line of scrimmage and successfully run the ball. With four minutes remaining in the first quarter WVU had built a 14-0 lead and Houston had run only six plays.

Unfortunately the offense became ineffective through the second and third quarters, gaining only 61 yards on 26 plays and making only two first downs. But the deciding factors in the outcome of the game were four crucial turnovers committed by Houston which led to easy scores by the Mountaineers. A fumble in the second half gave WVU a short field from which it was able to score on a touchdown drive from only 27 yards, and a third quarter interception again gave the Mountaineers good field position which they converted into a field goal.

The biggest play and turning point of the game came midway through the third quarter with Houston driving into WVU territory and poised to take its first lead of the game, when Jordan Scruggs intercepted a pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. Instead of falling behind or at least seeing the game tied, the defensive score gave West Virginia a 10- point lead which it never relinquished.

Despite the turnovers the Houston offense had outstanding skill position players and was still capable of mounting a comeback but the WVU offense again found its rhythm in the fourth quarter. Clinging to a 31-28 lead entering the final stanza the Mountaineers engineered a 73-yard drive capped by a 34-yard touchdown run by quarterback Scotty Fox on fourth-and-4. The next possession saw another crucial fourth down conversion on a 53-yard pass from Fox to tight end Jeff Weimer leading to yet another score to put the game out of reach. West Virginia was 4 for 4 on fourth down attempts.

How difficult the 2025 season has been was evident when one realized that having a lead in the fourth quarter was the first since the opening game vs. Robert Morris.

After rotating four different quarterbacks as starters the Mountaineers have now found their answer at that position. Scotty Fox has been outstanding over these last two weeks, and being a true freshman should only get better.

THIS SATURDAY: After showing some quality play early in the season the Colorado Buffaloes have fallen on hard times. They have been demolished the last two weeks vs Utah and Arizona, being outscored in the first half a combined 81-7. They rotated three quarterbacks in their loss on Saturday and are now looking for answers. One has to be leery of a team playing with desperation, but for the first time in two months the Mountaineers will be favored at home.

WEST VIRGINIA 31, COLORADO 21.