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Garrett Greene Able to Show Off as Gold Claims WVU Football Spring Game

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WVU Football QB Garrett Greene in 2023 Gold-Blue Game

MORGANTOWN, W.Va – Even though the Gold team got the official win in the WVU Gold-Blue Game, the real win for the Mountaineers was that the weather held up and no one got hurt.

As far as the actual action, Gold held a lead throughout the first quarter. This was initially due to being deemed the better dressed group leading up the game. Quarterback Garrett Greene did get his team into the end zone, granted it was thanks to a trick play. Greene actually caught a 40-yard pass off of a reverse from wide receiver Preston Fox. Think a “Mountaineer Special” for the West Virginia version of the “Philly Special.”

Despite not getting a touchdown of their own, Blue was still able to rack up points of their own. The score was eventually tied at 16 early in the second quarter. This was until Gold was able to recruit a new player, who in reality was a kid enjoying the atmosphere as a fan. The fan caught a touchdown pass from Greene, getting Gold back out in front 20-16.

The Gold highlights continued later in the first half when wide receiver Cortez Braham caught a rope from Greene in the corner of the end zone. This put Gold up 26-16 and showed what Braham explained in his press conference the day before about how he’s confident he can step up with more opportunities this season.

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For another Gold highlight reel play, tight end Kole Taylor grabbed a ball with one hand by using his length to make the catch over a defender. This was an example of what head coach Neal Brown said about his transfer tight end at one point after a Spring practice, calling Taylor “open by birth” because of his size advantage, especially over most corners.

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After one half of some football, some practice one-on-one battles and even some fan fun, Gold lead Blue 26-25. And one of those practice battles resulted in three points for Gold, moving the score to 30-27 at the start of the second half.

In an ironic turn of events at the end of the event, Blue managed to score points winning a couple practice drills and ended taking a 35-32 lead.

CJ Donaldson got himself on the board and Gold back on top with a touchdown run off a drive that saw Greene connect with wide receiver Devin Crater on his longest pass of the day.

Fast forward after some more practice and a defensive stop for Blue and it was 45-42 Blue.

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Fans were then able to compete in a kicking competition, which resulted in a 48-47 edge for Blue at the start of the fourth quarter.

Freshman Sean Boyle entered the game at quarterback for Gold and captained a drive that got fellow freshman Jahiem White into the end zone. White’s run was up the middle for 53 yards, getting Gold past 50 points at 53 and up 53-48 with under nine minutes left in the game.

Danny King’s 42-yard field goal as time expired secured the win for the Gold team 56 points to 51.

For some final statistics from the actual game play, Greene finished completing eight of 11 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown pass. He also ran for 16 yards on 5 touches and had the big touchdown catch. His competitor to earn the right to be West Virginia’s starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol completed six passes out of 12 attempts, throwing or 58 yards.

The ground included Donaldson running for 36 yards on eight carries with a touchdown, Justin Johnson Jr. totaling 16 yards, Jaylen Anderson with 20 on six rushes and Tony Mathis picking up 10 yards on just three carries. Carter led all receivers in receptions with three for 77 yards.

It’s tough to take much away from a Spring game, but it did put a bow on a successful Spring session for the 2023 Mountaineers as the head into a break period before Fall camp.

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