Key Storylines to Keep an Eye On for WVU-Penn State Season Opener

With the WVU program promoting the Mountaineers’ Week 1 matchup against Penn State as the biggest home game to kickoff a West Virginia season since 1998, there’s been a lot of anticipation building for months.

Here are some of the key storylines to keep an eye on for the WVU-Penn State 2024 season opener at Milan Puskar Stadium. These storylines are what’s been taking over the coverage leading up to the big national showcase game between the two historic programs.

WVU Coaches, Players Request Favor of Fans Attending Penn State Game

Fully expecting WVU fans to be as rowdy as ever when the Mountaineers open the season against Penn State, coaches and players are asking one big favor of those in attendance at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The general message to fans from head coach Neal Brown and defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley to even offensive lineman Ja’Quay Hubbard is clear – be loud but be smart about it.

“When the defense is on the field, every fan should leave with their voice raspy. I want this to be the most challenging atmosphere in America. Mountaineer Nation, I know you will. I need you guys to get amped up,” said Hubbard. He then clarified that the fans need to temper themselves for the offense so they can hear the plays being called.

Brown echoed this sentiment while making sure the fans know he wants them to be a problem for Penn State, much like the crowd at Beaver Stadium was for the West Virginia last year.

“I want our fans to be as loud as possible when Penn State has the ball, and a little quieter when we have the ball. Until we score. Then they can be as loud as they want.”

Lesley went as far as to literally challenge the fans. “I challenge our fans. I think that could be a big factor in the game. Not only when things are going good. They are going to make some plays, they are a good team. Be as loud as you can be.”

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

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.

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.

Neal Brown Defended Drew Allar

There are few players around the country facing more pressure to perform in 2024 than Penn State’s Drew Allar. WVU head coach Neal Brown, who also knows what it’s like to be polarizing, was asked about his perception of Allar leading into West Virginia’s season opening game against the Nittany Lions.

Brown said he feels some of the discussion surrounding Allar is unfair, adding that he made the difference in Penn State beating WVU 38-15 in Week 1 of the 2023 season.

“I think the quarterback probably gets too much blame and too much credit when things go good,” said Brown in defense of Allar during his press conference on Monday.

“I think, maybe this is more nationally than locally. There’s a belief that he’s got pressure on him or that he didn’t play well. If you go back and look, and you think about this as a first-time starter, the kid played pretty well last year. He played really well against us. He was the difference in the game last year. We did okay versus their run game, but he hit some explosive passes against us that really hurt us. I thought he was accurate with the football in our contest.”

Brown also said that the only questionable performances for Allar from 2023 were when facing Michigan and Ohio State, two teams most players often struggle against.

“If you look at his complete body of work, I think sometimes unfairly, a lot of people struggle against Michigan and Ohio State. Michigan did win the national championship. Ohio State does have a pretty good and sporty little team, too. So, I think sometimes those are a little bit maybe unfair. If you look at his entire body of work as a first-year starter, he did some really good things.”

Penn State Player Responds to WVU DB Garnett Hollis’ Comments About Nittany Lions

Almost a week after WVU defensive back Garnett Hollis shared his distain for Penn State, it was time for the Nittany Lions to respond.

And on Tuesday, PSU defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton offered his thoughts about what Hollis had to say.

“I don’t really know the guy, it’s nothing against him. I’m sure he’s a great player at West Virginia. My whole thing was, you know, it just came off a certain way,” responded Dennis-Sutton to a direct question about Hollis’ comments.

Hollis is clearly carrying over some feelings about Penn State from his time in the Big Ten. Hollis is also using every bit of the animosity he feels towards the Nittany Lions as motivation for the 2024 season opener.

Hollis feels Penn State doesn’t respect their opponents, at least those who aren’t Michigan and Ohio State.

“They give no respect to their opponents unless it’s Michigan or Ohio State,” said Hollis when asked about his new team kicking off the season with Penn State out of the Big Ten.

For related stories, Penn State head coach James Franklin referred to playing at WVU as facing a “hornets nest” in July and Pat McAfee bragged about what West Virginia is going to do to the Nittany Lions.