Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Countdown to Kickoff - NC State
September 14, 2019 08:00 AM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – You have to wonder if the West Virginia University athletics marketing staff was on to something when it designated today's meeting with NC State a "Gold Rush" game.
That's because West Virginia's ability to rush the football is going to be front and center when the 1-1 Mountaineers face the Wolfpack later today. The running game clearly needs improving as Neal Brown's young football team grows and matures this season.
"I can handle losing – I don't like it – but what I was disappointed about in that game (a loss at Missouri) was a couple of things: our inability to do what we were coached to do and our lack of physicality," Brown said earlier this week.
The growing pains have been obvious during the first two weeks of the season, but today is a new day and a new opportunity to show some development against an undefeated Wolfpack team that really hasn't been challenged so far this season.
State (2-0) had little trouble at home in week one against rebuilding East Carolina, and it encountered even less difficulty last weekend against an overmatched FCS Western Carolina team without its starting quarterback.
Is NC State's defense, which hasn't allowed a touchdown through its first two games, this good? And, can West Virginia figure out a way to move the football against the Wolfpack and put last weekend's disappointing performance against Missouri in its rearview mirror?
Also, can the Mountaineer defense and special teams come up with some big plays to help their young offense?
These are just some of the questions worth paying attention to when you watch this afternoon.
A noon kickoff has been assigned for today's game, which will be televised nationally on FS1 (Eric Collins and Ben Lever).
"It's a great challenge for us and I'm looking forward to it," Brown said. "One of the challenges in coaching is bouncing back when things don't go your way. That's where we're at this weekend."
The Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College radio coverage begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show on affiliates throughout the state and online via WVUsports.com and the popular mobile app WVU Gameday.
Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning will take over with regular network coverage beginning at 11 a.m.
Here is today's Countdown to Kickoff:
10 – TEN players have earned their first Mountaineer starts so far this season: LG Michael Brown, LB Josh Chandler, TE Jovani Haskins, WR Sam James, QB Austin Kendall, S Sean Mahone, DL Jeffery Pooler Jr., DL Quondarius Qualls, WR Sean Ryan and DL Darius Stills.
9 – Slot receiver Tevin Bush's NINE-yard rush against Missouri last Saturday is West Virginia's longest run from scrimmage in 56 attempts.
8 – West Virginia comes into today's game with just EIGHT players possessing at least 10 game's worth of career starting experience. Senior left tackle Colton McKivitz leads the way with 37 career starts.
7 – There are SEVEN true freshmen listed on West Virginia's two-deep roster for today's game against NC State – WR Ali Jennings, WR Winston Wright Jr., NT Jordan Jefferson, CB Tae Mayo, FS Kerry Martin Jr., S Tykee Smith and CB Nicktroy Fortune.
6 – West Virginia has produced SIX defensive and special teams touchdowns the last two years.
5 – West Virginia's most successful down moving the football has been third down when it has averaged a little more than FIVE yards per gain. On first and second down, the Mountaineers are averaging 2.4 and 3.7 yards per attempt respectively.
4 – The Mountaineer defense currently ranks FOURTH in the Big 12 in tackles for losses through two games with 14, good for 38thnationally.
3 – Senior Hakeem Bailey leads the Mountaineer secondary with THREE pass breakups through the first two games. Overall, the defensive backfield has allowed just 153 yards per game through the air.
2 – Florida State transfer George Campbell leads the Mountaineer offense with TWO touchdown catches. In three prior college seasons in Tallahassee, he failed to catch a touchdown with the Seminoles.
1 – NC State today is making its FIRST appearance in Morgantown since 1979, the last year of old Mountaineer Field.
Enjoy today's game and be sure to stop back afterward for complete postgame coverage.
That's because West Virginia's ability to rush the football is going to be front and center when the 1-1 Mountaineers face the Wolfpack later today. The running game clearly needs improving as Neal Brown's young football team grows and matures this season.
"I can handle losing – I don't like it – but what I was disappointed about in that game (a loss at Missouri) was a couple of things: our inability to do what we were coached to do and our lack of physicality," Brown said earlier this week.
The growing pains have been obvious during the first two weeks of the season, but today is a new day and a new opportunity to show some development against an undefeated Wolfpack team that really hasn't been challenged so far this season.
State (2-0) had little trouble at home in week one against rebuilding East Carolina, and it encountered even less difficulty last weekend against an overmatched FCS Western Carolina team without its starting quarterback.
Is NC State's defense, which hasn't allowed a touchdown through its first two games, this good? And, can West Virginia figure out a way to move the football against the Wolfpack and put last weekend's disappointing performance against Missouri in its rearview mirror?
Also, can the Mountaineer defense and special teams come up with some big plays to help their young offense?
These are just some of the questions worth paying attention to when you watch this afternoon.
A noon kickoff has been assigned for today's game, which will be televised nationally on FS1 (Eric Collins and Ben Lever).
"It's a great challenge for us and I'm looking forward to it," Brown said. "One of the challenges in coaching is bouncing back when things don't go your way. That's where we're at this weekend."
The Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College radio coverage begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show on affiliates throughout the state and online via WVUsports.com and the popular mobile app WVU Gameday.
Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning will take over with regular network coverage beginning at 11 a.m.
Here is today's Countdown to Kickoff:
10 – TEN players have earned their first Mountaineer starts so far this season: LG Michael Brown, LB Josh Chandler, TE Jovani Haskins, WR Sam James, QB Austin Kendall, S Sean Mahone, DL Jeffery Pooler Jr., DL Quondarius Qualls, WR Sean Ryan and DL Darius Stills.
9 – Slot receiver Tevin Bush's NINE-yard rush against Missouri last Saturday is West Virginia's longest run from scrimmage in 56 attempts.
8 – West Virginia comes into today's game with just EIGHT players possessing at least 10 game's worth of career starting experience. Senior left tackle Colton McKivitz leads the way with 37 career starts.
7 – There are SEVEN true freshmen listed on West Virginia's two-deep roster for today's game against NC State – WR Ali Jennings, WR Winston Wright Jr., NT Jordan Jefferson, CB Tae Mayo, FS Kerry Martin Jr., S Tykee Smith and CB Nicktroy Fortune.
6 – West Virginia has produced SIX defensive and special teams touchdowns the last two years.
5 – West Virginia's most successful down moving the football has been third down when it has averaged a little more than FIVE yards per gain. On first and second down, the Mountaineers are averaging 2.4 and 3.7 yards per attempt respectively.
4 – The Mountaineer defense currently ranks FOURTH in the Big 12 in tackles for losses through two games with 14, good for 38thnationally.
3 – Senior Hakeem Bailey leads the Mountaineer secondary with THREE pass breakups through the first two games. Overall, the defensive backfield has allowed just 153 yards per game through the air.
2 – Florida State transfer George Campbell leads the Mountaineer offense with TWO touchdown catches. In three prior college seasons in Tallahassee, he failed to catch a touchdown with the Seminoles.
1 – NC State today is making its FIRST appearance in Morgantown since 1979, the last year of old Mountaineer Field.
Enjoy today's game and be sure to stop back afterward for complete postgame coverage.
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