WVU Football
Mountaineers Run Over UCF to Win Home Finale, Clinch Bowl Eligibility
MORGANTOWN, W.Va – On a miserable day in Morgantown, the Mountaineers offered their fans, at least the ones in attendance, a rare game to enjoy at Milan Puskar Stadium in the 2024 home finale.
From the opening kickoff, all signs were instantly pointing to West Virginia being able to run all over the Knights. UCF struggled to move the ball and keep possession – defensive back Dontez Fagan recovered an RJ Harvey fumble to end UCF’s only threat of the first quarter.
The WVU offense, in particular Garrett Greene and CJ Donaldson, broke through the UCF defensive line with ease from that point on.
Donaldson already had 85 yards on his first nine carries, including punching in a touchdown on the opening drive. Greene added 24 yards of his own on the ground and Jahiem White scored WVU’s second touchdown, making it clear early on West Virginia was facing an opponent who would allow them to control the game.
Making up for his costly fumble, Harvey took charge for the Knights early in the second quarter, cutting WVU’s lead to 14-7. But just as UCF was grabbing some momentum, Preston Fox exploded for a 40-yard return on the kickoff, handing the ball to the Mountaineers with solid field position.
However, Greene and company were unable to move the ball. In a somewhat surprising decision, Neal Brown decided to punt rather tan go for it on fourth from around midfield. He would go for it in the final minute of the first half, converting thanks to Donaldson crashing through the middle.
Greene to Rodney Gallagher then gave WVU their third touchdown of the day. The beautiful pass from Greene found Gallagher where only he had a chance at a the ball in the back of the end zone as he got away from the defender.
Donaldson would find the end zone for the second time on West Virginia’s opening possession of the second half before UCF answered as a wide open Kobe Hudson took advantage of the WVU secondary, moving the score to 28-14 late in the third quarter.
A Michael Hayes field goal upped the score to 31-14.
While UCF would tack on another touchdown, West Virginia still cruised to a comfortable 31-21 win as the chilly day full of rain became a brisk Saturday night in Morgantown.
West Virginia, now 6-5 (5-3, Big 12), will close the year by appearing in the 41st bowl game in school history. Despite entering the game as a home underdog to a struggling Knights team, Garrett Greene and the Mountaineers ran all over UCF to the tune of 200 rushing yards, highlighted by 96 from Donaldson.
Despite continued discontent from fans, Brown and WVU can now relax a bit, knowing they’re bowl eligible as they head to Lubbock, Texas to close the season against Texas Tech.
