If you listen to the Voice of Motown podcast, which I co-host with my friend Tyler, you’ll know we end every episode with each of us highlighting one good and one bad thing from the previous week and one wish for WVU going into the next week. In this series, I’ll outline more in-depth my good and bad, and add in an ugly, just to fill out the cliché.
The Good:
Leddie Brown carried the team on Saturday, finishing with 158 yards on 33 carries. He improved as the game went on, running with physicality and great vision to get to the second level and find ways to move the sticks. He ran for 7 of WVU’s 28 first downs, ripped off 5 rushes for 10 plus yards, and was leaned on heavily in the 4th quarter to ice the game. He even increased his yards per carry from the 1st half as well, from 4.2 yard per carry in the first half to 5.9 yard per carry in the second half. This was Leddie’s day, on Senior Day at Milan Pushkar Stadium. And I couldn’t think of a better way for him to close out his career at Mountaineer field.
The Bad:
WVU’s defense started out hot, forcing 4 consecutive 3 and outs on an offense that rarely had 3 and outs in their previous 10 games. However, Texas found some faults in what looked to be a sturdy WVU defense after the first quarter. While Texas couldn’t string together drives or convert on third downs, they found ways to rip off big plays, with Keilan Robinson scampering for a 49-yard touchdown and Xavier Worthy beating Jackie Matthews Jr. on a 52-yard touchdown catch. Thankfully, the Mountaineer defense was able to buckle down in the 4th quarter to hang on the to lead and hold off the Longhorns.
The Ugly:
Jarret Doege announced on Saturday that he will be returning to WVU next year for his “super” senior year. The news came out via ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor. However, both Doege and head coach Neal Brown have been silent on this topic in the weeks prior stating that they just want to focus on the upcoming games. I understand that Doege had to address why he wasn’t walking with the seniors on Senior Day. However, I don’t like what he allegedly said. Per Taylor McGregor of ESPN, Doege referenced leading the Big 12 in passing multiple times, and she noted his comments touched on, “if that’s what he could this year, with another year in this offense and another year to develop with his receivers, it feels like this team could be even more special next year”. Doege’s comments may have been taken out of context or mispresented by the ESPN reporter, but it sounds like he was coming into the season next year with the job promised to him. I am a firm believer that Doege leads the Big 12 in passing, not because of his talent, but because of the coaching philosophy and scheme he plays within. At the end of the day, Doege still leads the Big 12 in turnovers on an offense that is middle to bottom of the pack in the Big 12, and he should not be handed anything coming into next season.
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