Corey McIntyre Poised for Return, Admits ‘Bad Taste’ From 2025 Texas Tech Loss

Forced to sit out and watch West Virginia’s best defensive performance of the season at TCU, Corey McIntyre is poised for a return to action this weekend. McIntyre even considers WVU’s upcoming matchup with Texas Tech as a chance for revenge after last season’s blowout loss.

McIntyre, who stayed home and missed the 24-20 win over the Horned Frogs, was shaken up the previous week in the shootout 45-42 victory against Cincinnati. He was then listed as doubtful all week leading up to the trip to Fort Worth, using missing that game and then the subsequent bye week as an opportunity to get ready for this week.

“I’m starting to feel better,” said McIntyre to describe how he’s feeling heading into his first experience in Lubbock, Texas. McIntyre also admitted that he still has a “bad taste” in his mouth from last year’s 49-0 loss at home to Texas Tech. He did not travel for the 2024’s 52-15 defeat that ended the Neal Brown era for the Mountaineers.

West Virginia defensive lineman Corey McIntyre leaves a game against Cincinnati during the 2026 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

McIntyre, a 2023 three-star recruit, has 17 total tackles, with six credited as solo, a sack and a forced fumble so far this season.

He said he was proud of the way the Mountaineer defense stepped up to beat TCU, holding a Power Four opponent to under 500 yards and 30 points for the first time this season. McIntyre also believes that level of play will contuse based on what he’s seen from his teammates during practice.

Note: Corey McIntyre Sr., played under head coach Rich Rodriguez as a linebacker, defensive end and fullback during the early 2000s before embarking on a decade-long NFL career.

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