West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (15) is tackled by Houston defensive lineman Eddie Walls III, bottom, and linebacker Sione Fotu during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

West Virginia quarterback true freshman Scotty Fox Jr. led the Mountaineers to their first Big 12 win of the season over No. 22 Houston, 45-35. It was a major upset for the spiraling Mountaineers, who were on a five-game losing streak.

The true freshman provided a spark and some momentum going into Colorado this weekend. His performance earned him Big 12 Freshman of the Week.

“I thought he played pretty well, especially for a true freshman,” Rich Rodriguez said. “He’s growing up. I think he’s taking steps. He played beyond his years I think in the last two games. You wouldn’t think he’s a true freshman that got thrust into that role.

Fox didn’t have crazy numbers, but he didn’t put the ball in harm’s way and led WVU to a much-needed win. He was 13-for-22 passing for 157 yards and a touchdown. Fox also had 10 carries for 65 yards and two scores on the ground.

It was impressive, but there are still areas to work on. Rodriguez thinks Fox still needs to see the field a bit better. Fox needs to get to a point where he anticipates checks, predicts what the next play call will be, and makes the needed adjustments on the fly.

That’ll come with time, though. Rodriguez’s best quarterback when he was at WVU the first time, Pat White, who’s on staff now, had a whole year watching from the sideline. Rodriguez’s quarterback at Jacksonville State last year, Tyler Huff, had experience, which is why the Gamecocks had success.

“It took [Huff] a few weeks, but once that third or fourth game, he was finishing my sentences, so to speak,” Rodriguez said. “I mean, and he had college football experience. Scotty is a true freshman that’s going to get there eventually, someday, and he’s conscientious enough to get there as quick as we can.”

Despite Fox playing his freshman year instead of red shirting, Rodriguez does see a little Pat White in Fox. They are both competitive and committed to the game.

“We hope everybody that we have on our roster loves football, but there’s probably guys that like it not love it,” Rodriguez said. “I want guys that love it and eat it. But those two Pat was that way, he loved it. He would know everything about it, and Scotty, he’s the same way. He loves football.”

That’s encouraging to hear as a WVU fan if they know anything about the success White had. White went 35-8 as a starter and led the Mountaineers to bowl wins in the 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator and 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

There are differences, of course. White was by far a much better runner than Fox.

“Scotty is a good runner, not a great runner, good runner,” Rodriguez said. “But, Scotty’s got next-level arm talent as far as his release and getting to the football and all that. We’re trying to feature what he does.”

Fox still has a long way to go to get anywhere near what White accomplished while in the gold and blue. Fox is off to a good start, already ahead of White in terms of starting as a true freshman, and is trending in the right direction.

“I think he was seeing the field,” Rodriguez said. “He was making good decisions. There were a couple things here and there that were kind of looked like freshman deals. But he’s a really good competitor. He’s a very conscientious guy. I’ve said since August that he might be the most talented from an arm strength arm talent that we have on the roster, and he made some next-level throws in that game.”