West Virginia Hooked by Texas, Lose to Longhorns 38-20

In a game that could serve as a conference separator with one team still having a chance in an open field and another having an uphill climb the rest of the way, it was Texas that showed they are a level above West Virginia.

While the Mountaineers powerful offense struggled to get going, the Longhorns were able to jump out to a two-touchdown Hudson Card lead early in the second quarter. Texas’ first two scores included some Steve Sarkisian play calling magic, which included involving wide receiver Xavier Worthy in both touchdowns. Card threw a 15-yard strike to Worthy broke the seal and got Texas its first score. Worthy then added a touchdown pass of his own, a 33-yard toss to Ja’Tavion Sanders that increased the edge to 14-0.

The Texas damage didn’t stop there. A 14-0 lead soon became 21-0, and that score was administered a different way than the other two – a short run hammered into the end zone by Bijan Robinson.

Through one half of football it was Texas, Texas and more Texas. And that even means a few big plays by the Long Horns defense to stop JT Daniels and the Mountaineers from truly getting going. WVU went into the locker room having only mustered 4 first downs.

Unfortunately for Mountaineer Nation, the start of the second half wasn’t any friendlier to Neal Brown’s team. Card and Worthy connected on another touchdown, this one a 44-yarder up the middle. WVU was looking at an insurmountable deficit, now trailing 35-7.

The mood completely shifted in Austin late in the third quarter when CJ Donaldson had to be carted off the field. Donaldson’s status is unknown, but he was seen giving a thumbs up on the stretcher. Donaldson’s teammates would respond well after his injury. Tony Mathis finished off the ensuing WVU drive in the end zone, moving the score to 35-14.

West Virginia’s CJ Donaldson Carted Off Field in Austin

Add a Texas field goal and Daniels, who went 29 for 48 for 253 yards, finally throwing a touchdown pass towards the of the game, and you have your final. There was a brief moment some thought WVU came up with the ball after an onside kick attempt, but Texas recovered in actuality.

Once all the dust settled from a night mostly filled with Texas’ offense running by WVU defenders, the Mountaineers fell to 2-3 and 0-2 in conference play. All of a sudden the positive vibes the team generated the last two games are gone, and it’s back to work to try to salvage what’s left of the season. At least WVU will have more time to try to get things fixed with a bye coming up before meeting Baylor at Milan Puskar Stadium for a Thursday night affair on Oct. 13, although that also means it’s more time for the negative energy to permeate too.