WVU football’s defense gashed by Iowa State for second-straight week
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MORGANTOWN -- Defensive coordinator Zac Alley and West Virginia's defense was in need of a bounce-back game. Oklahoma State gashed Alley's defense for 609 yards. The defense was supposed to go back to the drawing board, and it didn’t look like it improved at all against Iowa State.
The Cyclones had 577 yards on the Mountaineers’ defense. This was the second-straight game where Alley's defense allowed 500-plus yards of offense and 45 points. WVU also allowed 29 first downs compared to Iowa State’s 19.
And it's not like the Cyclones’ offense was top-tier coming into the game. Iowa State was predicted to finish towards the bottom of the Big 12 heading into the season, with all the changes in staff and players. But the defense had made the Cyclones competitive through four games. The offense didn't get a lot of attention. The Cyclones’ offense looked like a top offense in the conference against Alley’s squad.
“29 first downs, 577 yards, two game-winning drives, when all we needed was a stop, it’s just hard to watch,” Rich Rodriguez said.
WVU’s defense had multiple opportunities to come up big. Iowa State had the ball at the 25-yard line, and WVU had a four-point lead with under seven minutes to play in the quarter. Running back Aiden Flora burst off for a 63-yard touchdown, making it 38-35. WVU retook the lead with under six minutes to play, and the Mountaineer defense needed just one stop to close the game. Instead, Iowa State drove down the field quickly, scoring with under two minutes to play.
"I’m challenging everybody. I’m challenging the staff,” Rodriguez said. “I’m sure if I’m a Mountaineer fan, it’s hard to watch because it’s hard for me to watch.”
Iowa State tested the Mountaineers’ discipline, and WVU failed. For two of the Cyclones' scores, they handed it to running back Aiden Flora, and he threw the touchdown pass. One was in the red zone, the other was for a big gain. Flora had 22 carries for 212 yards and ran for three touchdowns, along with the two passing touchdowns.
“That’s part of the same thing,” Rodriguez said. “One was a zone coverage. There’s no reason, and the other one the guy just didn’t watch his man. It’s stuff I hadn’t seen in years.”
Alley and Rodriguez's biggest concern with the defense was that there wasn't enough pressure created against Oklahoma State. The pressure improved slightly. WVU had two sacks, one from Nate Gabriel, and linebacker Ben Cutter accounted for them. Linebacker Isaiah Patterson also picked off Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor. Raynor still threw for 264 yards and a score.
But, overall, it was another poor showing.
"I think overall it just came down to we didn't execute the way we need to," linebacker Cam Torber said.
The Mountaineers had a couple of new faces on the defense to help, too. Georgia transfer JaCorey Thomas made his first appearance for the Mountaineers. He had four tackles. Cornerback Jason Chambers was back, too. Chambers had four tackles. Both recently were granted an extra year of eligibility based on the NCAA's new 5-for-5 ruling.
Rodriguez couldn't tell if they made an impact through a bad performance.
"I don't know if anyone played winning football on that side for a couple of weeks now," Rodriguez said.
WVU's offense did its part. The Mountaineers racked up 518 yards, which was the second time this season going over 500 yards. WVU scored 42 points -- the second most this season. The Mountaineers just couldn't get a stop for the second-straight week.
Alley and WVU don't have any time to hang on to the loss as Arizona and talented quarterback Noah Fifita come to town in just a week.
"There's frustration definitely," Torber said. "We are ready, though. Ready to get back in it."