MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It doesn’t bode too well for Will Grier’s Heisman Trophy hopes that his signature play against a team that has lost 42 consecutive Big 12 road games was a touchdown-saving tackle. But it was just that kind of a strange afternoon at Milan Puskar Stadium.
West Virginia’s best player wasn’t close to great, but his teammates – particularly those on defense – were solid enough to assure the Mountaineers of a 38-22 homecoming win over Kansas.
“It takes a whole team,” said Grier, who threw three interceptions at the goal line. “You will never lose or win because of individuals. It’s a team sport. The [defense] played really well today and we did some all right things too. We got a team win, and the end of the day that’s what counts.”
Or, as coach Dana Holgorsen more pointedly put it, “We’ll take our sloppy win and go home 5-0. How about that?”
Things were funky from the get-go. Grier’s first two shotgun snaps from center Matt Jones were off the mark, setting the stage for a three-and-out.
The normal sequence of Kansas-West Virginia events looked to be restored as the Mountaineers responded with back-to-back two-minute touchdown drives. A third score appeared to be inevitable when West Virginia took over at the Kansas 28 following a tipped interception by defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose.
Instead, it ended with the appropriately-named Hasan Defense intercepting Grier in the end zone on a forced throw to David Sills to set the tone for a game-long theme. West Virginia’s trips to the red zone were marked by miscommunication between the sideline, Grier and his receivers.
“We got a little discombobulated as far as not being on the same page at times,” said West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital. “You could sense the frustration between everybody out there because they’re so used to executing in the red zone at a high level. We didn’t, and there’s no excuse.”
Up 21-7, the Mountaineers had a pair of chances to knock the Jayhawks out of the game by halftime, but turned the ball over both times. Defense did not rest, picking off a 6-yard pass in the end zone before Grier finally chased him down 60 yards later to save a touchdown.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever ran that far,” Grier said with a laugh. “It’s not necessarily what I practice. But I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Hakeem Bailey got the ball right back for the Mountaineers with an interception of his own two plays later, but once again West Virginia failed to capitalize when Grier was picked off by Davon Ferguson in the end zone with 15 seconds left in the first half.
The third interception led receiver Sills to provide Grier with some animated words of encouragement as they went back to the locker room.
“We just talked about going out in the second half, relaxing, and playing our game,” Sills said.
Grier was more willing to take what the defense gave him in the second half, completing 8 of 12 passes for 85 yards. He finished the game 28 of 41 for 332 yards and four touchdowns. But more significantly, West Virginia’s defense made sure the Mountaineers did not pay a price for his mistakes.
Kansas, which entered the game with the nation’s best turnover margin, added a fourth takeaway on a sack and fumble in the third quarter. The Jayhawks took over near midfield down only a touchdown, but were limited to a three-and-out.
That was also one of the game’s themes. Of the Jayhawks’ four takeaways, only one resulted in a touchdown.
“That’s huge for us,” said defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. “Knock on wood, we’ve been pretty good with sudden changes [this season]. Our guys have responded well.”
The West Virginia defense limited Kansas to 176 yards in the first three quarters. A late 75-yard drive against the second unit made the scoreboard and yardage totals look more respectable for the Jayhawks – not to mention their 2-point conversion after scoring with no time left in the game.
Jayhawks freshman running back Pooka Williams, who entered the game as the Big 12’s leading rusher, was limited to 65 yards on 12 carries. Williams entered the contest with touchdown runs of at least 40 yards in each of his first four career games.
Follow Alex Hickey on twitter: @bigahickey
