Is WVU Still Thinking About Penn State Scoring Late in 2023 Season Opener?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Athletes never forget. Now that the season opener against Penn State is just days away, WVU players are more than willing to openly discuss the end of last year’s game in State College.

And Penn State scoring in the final seconds in their 38-15 win in the 2023 season opener is something that’s always been on the mind of WVU defensive lineman Eddie Vesterinen.

“Of course that upset (us),” said Vesterinen during a press conference on Monday. “This past week, on the TVs before our meetings and everything, that’s the only clip we’ve been replaying all the time. I’ve seen that clip 100 times in the past week, and it just angers me. It just angers me, and I even know the celebration that one o-lineman did… I hope everybody on our team took it very personal,” he added.

WVU DL Eddie V says they have been replaying Penn State scoring in the final seconds of last year’s game. “I took that personal.”

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 26, 2024

But while Vesterinen wants revenge for what happened at the end of the game, his head coach reminded his team that Saturday is about much more than that.

Brown says he doesn’t feel using Penn State scoring late is necessary to help motivate his team. He also sidestepped adding any more fuel to the fire by saying “I don’t have a problem with it” when asked about his feelings.

WVU HC Neal Brown says he doesn’t feel Penn State scoring late is necessary to help motivate his team. He also added this: “I don’t have a problem with it.”

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 26, 2024

This is in a minor contrast to what Brown said immediately following the game.

“I wouldn’t have done but it doesn’t bother me. Stuff like that comes back around,” said Brown as his intent reaction at the time.

WVU quarterback Garrett Greene took a similar approach as Brown, downplaying the significance of any discussion about the end of any game in the past.

And no matter what may motivate anyone on either side, both teams are well aware of the magnitude of Penn State’s first trip to Morgantown since 1992.

Franklin knows the situation the Nittany Lions will be facing when it opens the season at WVU.

“It’s a hornet’s nest,” said Franklin when asked about starting the season on the road against West Virginia at Big Ten Media Days.

James Franklin Refers to Penn State Playing at West Virginia as Facing ‘Hornet’s Nest’

“They take a lot of pride in their football team. They’ve got no pro team, so it’s all about West Virginia, all about Morgantown. So it will be a great environment to play in.”

After a 9-4 (6-3) season and a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory, West Virginia is hungry to start off the 2024 season by getting revenge on Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Penn State beat WVU in the 2023 season opener at Beaver Stadium 38-15 before finishing the year at 10-3 (7-2) and then losing to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

For a related story, Penn State responds to a recent comment from WVU defensive back Garnett Hollis about facing the Nittany Lions.

WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti offered his thoughts on the matter in a piece published soon after the 2023 game that can be found below.

Asti: James Franklin Did Nothing Wrong Scoring in Final Seconds Against WVU