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

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Saturday, the West Virginia offense had gained a paltry 96 yards on 30 plays in the second half, committing two turnovers in the process. Against a team which was the worst in the Big 12 in run defense, the Mountaineers had not run the ball effectively.

Clinging to just a three-point lead and the outcome of the game hanging in the balance, the WVU offense came to life and without throwing a pass drove 57 yards in 10 plays to essentially put the game on ice. The clinching touchdown was scored by a defensive player converted to running back, Curtis Jones Jr., who tallied his second end zone trip for the day. Jones was pressed into duty with the Mountaineers down to the fourth and fifth running backs due to injuries.

The defense was solid throughout the afternoon, holding Colorado to field goals on two drives into WVU territory, allowing the Buffaloes into the end zone in the second half only on a short 20-yard drive set up by one of the West Virginia turnovers. Although highly touted Colorado freshman quarterback Julius Lewis was outstanding in his first start, passing for 299 yards, the Mountaineer defense created a slew of negative plays repeatedly putting the Buffaloes in long yardage situations. WVU had six sacks and six other tackles for loss.

Running back Diore Hubbard left the game early with what appeared to be a significant ankle injury, but with the Mountaineers nearly out of running backs returned and gutted it out with an outstanding day with 64 yards and 94 yards on pass receptions, including a 69-yard pass on a wheel route to set up the second West Virginia touchdown late in the first half.

Quarterback Scotty Fox continued to progress in his third consecutive start, passing for 202 yards and running for another 58 on 17 running plays, including several runs in key situations.

Fox did have an interception on a poor decision to throw back toward the middle of the field, but those occasional mistakes by a true freshman are to be expected.

THIS SATURDAY: The Mountaineers will take their longest trip of the season to Arizona State for a 1 p.m. Saturday start. The Wildcats had a bye week, and it is reported that they took the entire week off from practice. Hopefully that hiatus will have caused them to lose interest or maybe they will still be drowsy for a morning start for them. Otherwise this will be an uphill climb for WVU against the defending Big 12 champs.

ARIZONA STATE 27, WEST VIRGINIA 16