Hudson Clement Strikes Lightning for WVU in Win Over Duquesne

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Lightning struck and so did freshman wide receiver Hudson Clement for WVU in the Mountaineers win over Duquesne.

The first win of the season for WVU, a 56-17 win over Duquesne, started off looking completely different than the final score may indicate.

The Mountaineers fumbled away a punt return and then allowed a big 38-yard touchdown pass from Duquesne quarterback Darius Perrantes to Darryl Powell Jr. And as you would imagine when the dominoes fall against the FBS team early in a game against a lower level FCS opponent, most of the intensity in was on the Duquesne sidelines.

That would soon all change though. West Virginia finally tied the game with their first long possession with just over five minutes left in the first quarter. Garrett Greene capped off that scoring drive with a 14-yard touchdown strike to freshman wide receiver Hudson Clement.

But it appeared that any good fortunate gained from that score was going to be washed away as the Dukes were marching until Beanie Bishop snagged a big pick to steal momentum back. Bishop’s interception prevented another long pass play by Perrantes and then allowed Greene to connect with Clement for one for the Mountaineers.

Kole Taylor showed a bit of what he can do when he gets his hands on the ball, using his size to extend plays and get WVU within a yard of the end zone. Jaylen Anderson punched the ball in and West Virginia had its first lead of the day early in the second quarter, 14-7.

Duquesne would respond, granted with just a field goal. It would then be Mother Nature who made her presence felt next. Due to lightning being spotted within eight miles, the game was temporarily suspended with WVU leading 14-10 late in the first half.

After a long break in play, play resumed and then Greene quickly struck with another touchdown throw to Clement. This one went for 70 yards and gave West Virginia a 21-10 advantage.

Watch: WVU WR Hudson Clement Adds 2 More TD Receptions to Big Night

The Clement Show continued on. The freshman wide receiver found the end zone for the third time on WVU’s next drive, this one a 14-yard reception that moved the score to 28-10 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. That’s three touchdowns on the night for the freshman.

Or make it 35-10 as West Virginia would add another as the game transitioned into the third quarter. Duquesne wouldn’t be able to ever get much going again either.

The Mountaineers weren’t done. One of WVU’s top 2023 recruits Jahiem White scored his first college touchdown. Duquesne would show a sign of life with a score of their own as the game crawled to the fourth and final quarter with West Virginia leading, 42-17.

Nicco Marchiol joined the “first career touchdown” party by running in a keeper one-yard away for his first college score on the ground. He threw a pass for a touchdown last year. Marchiol took over under center for Greene in the second half. Greene finished 10 for 18 for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

Tack on 14 more points for WVU and the game ended in a 56-17 victory for West Virginia.

But at the end of a very long night, all that matters is WVU got the win. It’s now officially “Pitt Week” for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Morgantown will experience the Backyard Brawl next Saturday for the first time in over a decade.