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Freshman running back Jaylen Anderson burst onto the scene in the final game of the 2022 season by breaking two third quarter touchdown runs of 54 and 57 yards within three minutes of playing time turning a deficit into an eventual upset of Oklahoma State 24-19.
For much of the 2022 season the Mountaineers lacked explosive plays, but the two Anderson runs along with a Garrett Greene 36 yard TD scamper in the first half were the difference on a day when the Cowboys had more first downs, more total yards, and far fewer penalties.
Greene left the game in the third quarter after a hard hit and freshman quarterback Nicco Marchiol saw his first meaningful action during the season, having previously played briefly only in late game action against Towson State. Marchiol managed the offense well and avoided any mistakes. The WVU offense only completed 10 passes for 77 yards, but 250 rushing yards was the difference in a game played in a steady rain throughout the day.
Oklahoma State played without its starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, who has battled injuries throughout the season but likely didn't see the field due to reports he was entering the transfer portal.
Even against a West Virginia defense statistically among the worst in the nation the Cowboys were unable to generate much throughout the day with a backup quarterback.
The much maligned Mountaineer defenders had some of their best moments in the season by stopping Oklahoma State on four possessions in the fourth quarter with West Virginia protecting a narrow lead. In the last stanza the Cowboys gained only 68 yards on 20 snaps. The WVU defense forced a turnover and later stopped Oklahoma State on downs twice on their final possessions.
West Virginia finished a disappointing 5-7 on the season, but in a very good Big 12 Conference were underdogs in their final eight games but managed to pull upsets in three of those. Ironically, the league wins were over opponents that were the top three in the conference preseason poll. Two of those victories ended a 10-year drought against Oklahoma and a 6 game losing streak vs Oklahoma State.
In retrospect the direction of a frustrating season was established in the very first two games when WVU lost a late lead at Pittsburgh and followed with an overtime defeat to Kansas at home. The 2022 season would have had a much different look had one or both of those games turned out differently.
The Mountaineers played hard and with enthusiasm in a final long road as more than a touchdown underdog on a dreary afternoon with little on the line, a losing season having already been assured.
They did not throw in the towel as many feared they might, which is a credit to the players and coaching staff.
Unofficial reports and sources indicate that head coach Neal Brown will retain his job and return for the 2023 season.
Whoever is at the helm, they will need to be ready quickly as WVU open at Penn State on September 2.