WVU Fails to Take Advantage of Opportunities, Falls to Ohio

ATHENS, Ohio – In one of the friendliest environments WVU could ask for on the road, the Bobcats were the ones smiling after the game.

As both teams eased into the game, it was the West Virginia defense that contained Ohio’s dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro. And in addition to allowing only 28 total yards through the opening 10 minutes of the game, WVU benefited from a significant field position advantage early in the first quarter.

The Mountaineers eventually broke through, driving the distance of the field. Back-to-back big plays led to the first touchdown of the game and a 7-0 WVU lead. Nicco Marchiol completed a 31-yard pass to Cam Vaughn and then handed the ball to Jahiem White to finish off the possession. White bursted up the middle for 32 yards to the end zone.

But Navarro eventually started to find a rhythm for the Bobcats, moving from only seven yards passing to 54 at the conclusion of the drive. However, Ohio’s work only resulted in a field goal as the first quarter closed with game 7-3, Mountaineers.

The home team opened the second quarter bringing a high-tempo offense Mountaineer fans are just as familiar with. This led to a pair of completions for 19 and 11 yards on the first two plays.

What happened later in that same possession swung momentum back to WVU. West Virginia’s defense kept pushing Ohio backwards, triggering a third and gaol at the 23. Ohio’s Brack Peacock then missed a 38-yard field goal, keeping the Bobcats off the board.

A few minutes later and Ohio would finally reach the end zone, capping off a 12-play 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown. The combination of a horse caller and a face mask on White sent WVU’s star running back to the sideline for good. White left the game with 40 yards on six touches and the touchdown.

And to make matters worse, the Bobcats quickly tacked on a second touchdown to take their first lead of the game.

As West Virginia’s secondary began to collapse, Navarro completed consecutive big pass plays – a 17-yarder to a wide open target and a 31-yard bomb for the score.

Ohio kept their foot on the gas in the second half, as Navarro led the Bobcats back to pay dirt. Darrian Lewis’ interception gave WVU some life, but a lack luster offensive effort crushed any hopes of tying the game for the Mountaineers.

Jaylen Henderson took over for Marchiol late in the third quarter. But after an eight-yard run on his first touch, not much changed with a new quarterback under center.

Chase Wilson got his hands on the ball thanks to more carelessness by Navarro. The same story repeats itself following the turnover – West Virginia fails to capitalize quickly returns the ball back to the Bobcats.

Marchiol reclaimed his job, but a deep pass to Cam Vaughn was called incomplete despite some controversy with whether or not he had control with a foot in bounds.

A s similar turn of events repeated itself minutes later, giving the WVU defense three interceptions against Navarro. The problem for the Mountaineers? Every single time Ohio would provide WVU some hope, West Virginia dashed that hope with an inability to move the ball.

The loss drops WVU’s season record to 1-1 with the 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl coming up next week in Morgantown.