Photo by: Caleb Saunders
Football Friday – Kansas State Preview
October 30, 2020 06:30 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia is smack dab in the middle of a five-week stretch of Big 12 football games that began on Oct. 17 against Kansas and does not conclude until Nov. 14 against TCU.
That's five grueling weeks for a young and inexperienced football team that is not overly deep. Consider these numbers unearthed from deep inside football director of communications Mike Montoro's weekly game notes.
In its Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State on Sept. 26, West Virginia used 39 different players on offense and defense, broken down to 20 on offense and 19 on defense. That's 17 subs.
A week later in its thrilling overtime win over Baylor, WVU used one fewer player because starting left guard James Gmiter had to sit out as a result of a positive coronavirus test, which he announced on Twitter.
West Virginia was headed toward a similar total two weeks later against Kansas before the game opened up late in the third quarter when running back Leddie Brown broke free for an 87-yard touchdown.
The ensuing fourth-quarter flurry allowed coach Neal Brown to get in a few more substitutes. Still, only 43 players got into the game on offense (26) and defense (17).
Last week against Texas Tech's fast-tempo offense, the Mountaineers used just 15 players to defend the Red Raiders' 67 offensive snaps. Nineteen were used on West Virginia's 79 offensive snaps. That's 12 subs getting into the game in those two phases, which illustrates the conundrum Brown and his staff are encountering as they get deeper into this five-week stretch of games.
Football is a game of attrition, something with which Brown is all too familiar.
He believes the one area where West Virginia is capable of using more players is defensive line – perhaps the deepest position on his team.
"The major emphasis there is where we do have some depth we've got to do a better job subbing on the defensive line," Brown said earlier this week.
Texas Tech's fast tempo played a big role in limiting the number of guys the Mountaineers got into the game last Saturday in Lubbock.
There were times when the Red Raiders had momentum on offense and were playing at a pace that was difficult to match.
"I think we got worried with the tempo, but we've got to do a better job of getting our twos in on the defensive line early in the game," Brown noted. "That's something we've got to improve."
Texas Tech's tempo paid big dividends on its final offensive possession of the game when it was able to eat 4:25 off the clock before punting the football back to West Virginia with just 42 seconds remaining.
"I have to do a better job of being ready for that and being able to get guys in," West Virginia defensive line coach Jordan Lesley admitted. "(Last) Saturday, we did get a different set of guys rotated in and we had a couple of them have mental let downs, which again is on me. It's also a trust factor in the guys you are rolling in and how they are performing at that time during, but we've got to be a little more ready for that tempo."
Brown indicated Tuesday that his staff is still in the process of developing Big 12-ready players at some of those other positions. Hopefully, a few of those youngsters are close to being ready.
"I feel like our safeties, corners and offensive line, it kind of is what it is right now," he said.
"The O-line, we played six guys. (James) Gmiter came back and really played well in his first game back after being out for some time," he added. "He really had his first full practice last Tuesday of game week and did a nice job."
Counting special teams players, here is an apples-to-apples comparison of West Virginia's participation totals to 16th-ranked Kansas State, which brings an unbeaten 4-0 league record into Morgantown this weekend.
The Mountaineers are using an average of 51.3 players per game in Big 12 contests, with a high of 59 in the Kansas win and a low of 46 last Saturday at Texas Tech.
Meanwhile, Kansas State is using an average of 65.8 players per game in its four Big 12 games, with a high of 77 against Kansas and a low of 61 in the Oklahoma victory. The Wildcats used 62 total players in the TCU win and 63 in their victory over Texas Tech.
That's roughly 15 more players Kansas State is getting into football games than West Virginia, which bears watching on Saturday, particularly in the fourth quarter.
That's a pretty good illustration of where the two football programs were last season when Chris Klieman took over at Kansas State and Brown at West Virginia, although some COVID-19 issues at K-State this fall has also likely factored into this.
Speaking of the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers have been within striking distance in both Big 12 games they have lost this year. WVU pulled to within a touchdown of sixth-ranked Oklahoma State with 8:56 left in the game before the Cowboys went on a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown march that consumed 7:39 of the clock.
OSU depth was a big factor in its game-sealing touchdown drive late in the game.
It was a similar deal a week ago at Texas Tech when the game was tied heading into the fourth quarter. WVU had the ball in Red Raider territory with 9:33 to go before Sam James' fumble led to Zech McPhearson's 56-yard scoop and score.
Two possessions later, Texas Tech capitalized on a tired WVU defense to eat 4:25 off the clock to preserve its 34-27 victory.
At least this Saturday against Kansas State, West Virginia will have an opportunity to catch its breath a little bit.
"They huddle, which is something new," Lesley pointed out.
The game will kick off at noon and will be televised nationally on ESPN2 (Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer and Dr. Jerry Punch).
Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College radio coverage kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with the Go-Mart Mountaineer Tailgate Show leading into regular network coverage at 11 a.m.
Tickets still remain and can be purchased by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office toll-free at 1-800-WVU GAME or by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
Fans can also purchase tickets at the stadium on game day.
Tonight's Football Friday is presented by the West Virginia Lottery.
That's five grueling weeks for a young and inexperienced football team that is not overly deep. Consider these numbers unearthed from deep inside football director of communications Mike Montoro's weekly game notes.
In its Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State on Sept. 26, West Virginia used 39 different players on offense and defense, broken down to 20 on offense and 19 on defense. That's 17 subs.
A week later in its thrilling overtime win over Baylor, WVU used one fewer player because starting left guard James Gmiter had to sit out as a result of a positive coronavirus test, which he announced on Twitter.
West Virginia was headed toward a similar total two weeks later against Kansas before the game opened up late in the third quarter when running back Leddie Brown broke free for an 87-yard touchdown.
The ensuing fourth-quarter flurry allowed coach Neal Brown to get in a few more substitutes. Still, only 43 players got into the game on offense (26) and defense (17).
Last week against Texas Tech's fast-tempo offense, the Mountaineers used just 15 players to defend the Red Raiders' 67 offensive snaps. Nineteen were used on West Virginia's 79 offensive snaps. That's 12 subs getting into the game in those two phases, which illustrates the conundrum Brown and his staff are encountering as they get deeper into this five-week stretch of games.
Football is a game of attrition, something with which Brown is all too familiar.
He believes the one area where West Virginia is capable of using more players is defensive line – perhaps the deepest position on his team.
"The major emphasis there is where we do have some depth we've got to do a better job subbing on the defensive line," Brown said earlier this week.
Texas Tech's fast tempo played a big role in limiting the number of guys the Mountaineers got into the game last Saturday in Lubbock.
There were times when the Red Raiders had momentum on offense and were playing at a pace that was difficult to match.
"I think we got worried with the tempo, but we've got to do a better job of getting our twos in on the defensive line early in the game," Brown noted. "That's something we've got to improve."
Texas Tech's tempo paid big dividends on its final offensive possession of the game when it was able to eat 4:25 off the clock before punting the football back to West Virginia with just 42 seconds remaining.
"I have to do a better job of being ready for that and being able to get guys in," West Virginia defensive line coach Jordan Lesley admitted. "(Last) Saturday, we did get a different set of guys rotated in and we had a couple of them have mental let downs, which again is on me. It's also a trust factor in the guys you are rolling in and how they are performing at that time during, but we've got to be a little more ready for that tempo."
Brown indicated Tuesday that his staff is still in the process of developing Big 12-ready players at some of those other positions. Hopefully, a few of those youngsters are close to being ready.
"I feel like our safeties, corners and offensive line, it kind of is what it is right now," he said.
"The O-line, we played six guys. (James) Gmiter came back and really played well in his first game back after being out for some time," he added. "He really had his first full practice last Tuesday of game week and did a nice job."
Counting special teams players, here is an apples-to-apples comparison of West Virginia's participation totals to 16th-ranked Kansas State, which brings an unbeaten 4-0 league record into Morgantown this weekend.
The Mountaineers are using an average of 51.3 players per game in Big 12 contests, with a high of 59 in the Kansas win and a low of 46 last Saturday at Texas Tech.
Meanwhile, Kansas State is using an average of 65.8 players per game in its four Big 12 games, with a high of 77 against Kansas and a low of 61 in the Oklahoma victory. The Wildcats used 62 total players in the TCU win and 63 in their victory over Texas Tech.
That's roughly 15 more players Kansas State is getting into football games than West Virginia, which bears watching on Saturday, particularly in the fourth quarter.
That's a pretty good illustration of where the two football programs were last season when Chris Klieman took over at Kansas State and Brown at West Virginia, although some COVID-19 issues at K-State this fall has also likely factored into this.
Speaking of the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers have been within striking distance in both Big 12 games they have lost this year. WVU pulled to within a touchdown of sixth-ranked Oklahoma State with 8:56 left in the game before the Cowboys went on a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown march that consumed 7:39 of the clock.
OSU depth was a big factor in its game-sealing touchdown drive late in the game.
It was a similar deal a week ago at Texas Tech when the game was tied heading into the fourth quarter. WVU had the ball in Red Raider territory with 9:33 to go before Sam James' fumble led to Zech McPhearson's 56-yard scoop and score.
Two possessions later, Texas Tech capitalized on a tired WVU defense to eat 4:25 off the clock to preserve its 34-27 victory.
At least this Saturday against Kansas State, West Virginia will have an opportunity to catch its breath a little bit.
"They huddle, which is something new," Lesley pointed out.
The game will kick off at noon and will be televised nationally on ESPN2 (Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer and Dr. Jerry Punch).
Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College radio coverage kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with the Go-Mart Mountaineer Tailgate Show leading into regular network coverage at 11 a.m.
Tickets still remain and can be purchased by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office toll-free at 1-800-WVU GAME or by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
Fans can also purchase tickets at the stadium on game day.
Tonight's Football Friday is presented by the West Virginia Lottery.
Players Mentioned
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Pat Kirkland | April 15
Thursday, April 16
