Rich Rodriguez Has No Time for ‘Moral Victory’ Talk After WVU’s Close Loss

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Rich Rodriguez had one clear message after West Virginia’s 23-17 loss to TCU – there’s no such thing as a moral victory.

A close loss after being blown out week after week is still a loss. That was the theme of Rodriguez’s postgame press conference following WVU’s improved effort, at least in comparison to recent weeks, against TCU.

Rodriguez also doesn’t want to hear how his team played better than in their 45-13 loss at UCF, a game he again labeled an “embarrassment” for him and his staff.

“Well, hell yeah. I mean… we couldn’t play much worse. You know?,” responded Rodriguez when faced with a question about how West Virginia played their best game since the win over Pitt on Sept. 13 – they have lost five-straight Big 12 games since the Backyard Brawl victory.

“Uh, but, you know, played harder, that was good. Guys didn’t quit. You know, probably is going to be mad after we watch the film. We left a lot of stuff out there. They had chances to win the game, but, you know, we gotta… Yeah, a lot of things to clean up,” added a frustrated Rodriguez while eventually acknowledging the improved play.

But despite the closer result, Rodriguez knows a team unable to establish any semblance of a running game can’t win, especially in his offense. And despite showing signs of rhythm, the offense let the offense down.

Averaging only 1.3 yards collectively per touch on the ground, the lack of a run game forced freshman Scotty Fox to throw 41 passes. He threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, but West Virginia failed to convert multiple fourth down attempts as well.

“Yeah. I thought so. Especially early in the game when the offense wouldn’t get a first down, the defense was just hanging in there and battling.”

And, uh, they, they got some, uh… I thought we tackled better. He’s a, he’s a hard quarterback to sack ’cause he gets rid of it. You know, we tried some pressure and he gets rid of it pretty quick. He’s an accurate veteran guy. Um, so we… I don’t know. Was there any turnovers?
A couple turns and downs.

No matter what, improving on terrible play will never impress the 62-year-old coach. Rodriguez just wants to win and will only be satisfied when his Mountaineers win.

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.