The first 23 minutes of today’s game against Missouri was going swimmingly for West Virginia, the Mountaineers jumping out to a 13-0 lead on the strength of a Rushel Shell 23-yard touchdown run and two short Mike Molina field goals, but the last seven minutes have people wondering how the rest of it is going to unfold.
First, Missouri was able to find some open areas in West Virginia’s pass defense to drive 68 yards, leading to a Tucker McCann 24-yard field goal with 7:02 remaining in the second period.
Then, with West Virginia backed up at its own 12 and less than three minutes showing on the clock, quarterback Skyler Howard missed a simple handoff and was driven into the ground where he remained until eventually being helped to the sideline.
In came backup quarterback William Crest Jr., whose first pass slipped out of his hands while attempting to throw a long pass down field, and Missouri’s Marcell Frazier recovered Crest’s fumble at the 7.
Three plays netting nothing for the Tigers and McCann’s chip-shot field goal try hooked wide left.
Two plays later, West Virginia backup quarterback No. 2, Chris Chugunov, tried an ill-advised pass deep down the middle of the field on second down that landed right into the arms of strong safety Anthony Sherrils at the Tiger 37 with nine seconds left in the half.
Missouri was able to move the ball close enough for quarterback Drew Lock to try a long pass to the end zone, but his pass was deflected and fell harmlessly to the ground.
Now, the No. 1 question for everyone in the stadium is the health of Howard. That could go a long way in determining the final outcome of today’s affair.
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