Jordan Lesley, Mountaineers Defense Not Concerned with Lack of Takeaways

Headlined by its defensive performance, West Virginia was able to snap a three-game losing streak with a last-second win over Oklahoma this past weekend.

The Mountaineers improved to 4-6 after scoring their lowest point total in a victory this season with 23.

Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley credited multiple factors the Mountaineers used to hold off the Sooners, including stopping Oklahoma on third and fourth down, executing blitzes in the red zone, and the first key point he mentioned during Tuesday’s news conference — tackling better on the perimeter.

“That’s how people have attacked us all year,” Lesley said during Tuesday’s news conference. “Up until Saturday, that’s what was a key against us. A lot of times, it led to explosive plays.”

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West Virginia’s defensive performance against Oklahoma may have arguably been one of, if not its best, of the season.

The Mountaineers held the Sooners to a 1-for-11 conversion clip on third down, and zero makes in two tries on fourth down. Oklahoma’s 20 points was the fewest a Big 12 opponent put up against the West Virginia defense this year.

And yet, West Virginia is doing this without one key statistic for a defense — turnovers.

In fact, the Mountaineers have now gone two straight games without one, and have not recorded a takeaway on five occasions this season. This stat does not bother Lesley.

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“We always try to create them,” Lesley said. “That’s always a big difference. It would’ve been a huge difference against Iowa State. We had that one fumble we didn’t get.

“What really helps is third and fourth down conversion rate. Missed field goals also count that way as far as momentum goes.”

With two games to go and the Mountaineers needing to win both games to become bowl eligible, starting with this Saturday against Kansas State, getting a takeaway or two might need to be brought up again to the degree it was emphasized before the Baylor game. West Virginia forced a season-high three turnovers en route to a 43-40 marathon victory.

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The Mountaineers have won all three games this season when they were also positive in the turnover margin. West Virginia’s matchup with Oklahoma marked the first time in five tries that the Mountaineers ended up on the winning side of the scoreboard while losing in turnovers.

Overall, the Mountaineers have recorded just eight takeaways in 10 games this season. West Virginia, after compiling 15 giveaways on offense, is tied for 117th in the FBS with a minus-7 turnover margin.

“Our defense plays hard,” Mountaineers defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson said. “Obviously, we want to give ourselves the opportunity to create turnovers, and sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce our way. Sometimes it does.

“I think, either way, if we get eleven hats to the ball, we’ll get more of them if the opportunity presents itself.”

Lesley voiced similar thoughts, saying the Mountaineers consistently perform turnover drills at practice to help his defenders prepare for the opportunity to pick off a pass or dive on a loose ball.

According to West Virginia’s stats, the Mountaineers have missed out on recovering seven fumbles this season.

“We work it every week, almost every day,” Lesley said. “Sometimes, the team you’re facing does a better job with ball security and you don’t get the opportunities. The other time, the opportunities are there, and for whatever reason they don’t happen. All you can do is work it and maximize the opportunities when you get them.”