MORGANTOWN — West Virginia quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. dropped back and hit wide receiver Jeff Weimer in the end zone to make it just a one-score game against TCU with under two minutes to play. It was Weimer’s first receiving touchdown as a Mountaineer after transferring from Idaho State in the offseason.
Weimer had a rough start to his career in Morgantown. He wasn’t able to play for most of the summer due to issues with the NCAA over eligibility. Weimer was one of the four who went to court against the NCAA in August.
After the court ruled in his favor, Weimer has slowly been working his way to have a prominent role in the offense. It’s been easier with how simplistic the offense is because of the tempo.
“I think the biggest thing is being able to play fast,” Weimer said. “I think there’s a big difference between lining up and trying to remember what you have on the play, compared to lining up and instantly knowing what you have and then figuring out how am I going to win. How am I going to do my job on this play as best as I possibly can? I think when you can be focused on that, you play faster, and I think it’s a lot smoother. I think that’s what we’ve been doing well as far as an offense.”
Over the past couple of games, Weimer and Fox have developed a strong connection on the field. Weimer has eight catches for 150 yards and the touchdown since Fox took over as the full-time starter.
The Weimer-Fox connection is interesting because Weimer is in his very last year of eligibility as a redshirt senior, and Fox is just starting out as a true freshman. It’s a connection between one of the oldest and the youngest on the roster.
“We do joke about the age difference between me and him,” Weimer said.
Even with the age difference, the two can relate to each other, which is why there has been such a connection on the field.
“What’s nice is he’s very open-minded, so he’s just trying to grasp anything,” Weimer said. “Something that I relate to, because that’s something that I feel the same way. There’s always stuff to learn. But what’s nice is watching film together, me and him kind of throw ideas back and forth and try to figure out the best way to be prepared to make the play and kind of adjust things. He’s very open-minded, which has been a good thing.”
With Weimer and Fox, and the other pieces around, the offense has finally seen success. In the past two wins, WVU has averaged 37 points and game, and put up a whopping 45 Houston, who had one of the top defenses in the Big 12.
Offense will be important against Arizona State. The Sun Devils and Mountaineers haven’t scored a lot of points over the season, so one or two touchdowns might make the game.
The Wiemer-Fox connection will need to be in sync. Even though Fox is young, Weimer doesn’t see him as a true freshman with how he’s prepared himself for each game.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” Weimer said. “I’m not surprised with how Scotty has been playing. Even though he’s a true freshman, he’s been acting like a pro with how he comes and goes about his business and how many hours he’s been spending in the facility. I don’t think that’s talked about enough. When his opportunity came, he was ready for it. I think it’s because the hours and dedication and preparation he’s put in.”
