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After watching a late night barnburner at Texas Tech that didn't end until 1:00 a.m., West Virginia football fans might have had a difficult time getting to sleep after seeing an opportunity for an upset over heavily favored Texas Tech slip away in a 53-48 loss.
The first half saw the most atrocious defense imaginable played by the Mountaineers, giving up 494 yards, six touchdowns and 41 points. We then witnessed a complete turnaround as Texas Tech gained only 6 yards in the third quarter and punted four consecutive times. WVU took advantage with a 21-point run, fueled by a 75-yard pass to wide receiver Taron Francis and a 74-yard punt return by Matt Sieg, each setting up West Virginia inside the 10 for touchdown scores.
During the first three quarters the Mountaineers had gained 593 total yards and scored 48 points. With the final stanza beginning with a seven-point lead, possession of the ball, and all the momentum, the Mountaineers had an opportunity for a major upset as 17-point underdogs over a team battling for a spot in the college football playoffs.
But with the game on the line the offense suddenly disappeared. West Virginia ran 11 plays in the fourth quarter for zero first downs and minus-11 total yards. Texas Tech was able to regain its footing and went on two 69-yard scoring drives to retake the lead and salvage the win.
Two plays over the final seven minutes sealed the fate of the Mountaineers. Facing a third-and-1 on their own 34 halfway through the fourth quarter leading 48-44, West Virginia was unable to gain a yard for the first down. Then on the ensuing possession Texas Tech faced a fourth-and-3 on their own 48. With less than five minutes remaining the Red Raiders went for the first down. A stop would have given WVU the ball in Tech territory and an opportunity to put the game away, but quarterback Castellanos retreated and had enough time to float a pass far downfield which was caught on a sensational grab by his receiver for a 26-yard reception and a first down. Tech took advantage and scored the winning TD with 2:44 to go.
While the catch was an athletic play, watching the replay it was clear that the pass was intended for a different receiver than the one who actually caught the ball. Such are the frustrations of being a Mountaineer fan.
THIS SATURDAY: The Kansas Jayhawks come to Morgantown with a 3-6 record having suffered a heartbreaking loss of their own to Central Florida on the last play of the game after losing at TCU in the final minute the preceding week. Two frustrated teams will thus be looking for redemption. This will be the best opportunity for the Mountaineers to gain a sixth win for bowl eligibility. WEST VIRGINIA 42 KANSAS 31.