Week 3 Offensive Helmet Stickers

My, what a difference a week can make.  This time last Monday, Mountaineer nation was collectively down in the dumps after watching Neal Brown and co. travel to Columbia, MO only to sleep walk through a 38-7 drubbing at the hands of Kelly Bryant and Missouri.  Whatever message Brown and the rest of the West Virginia coaching staff broadcasted this past week in the lead-up to Saturday’s bout with NC State was undoubtedly received loud and clear.

On Saturday, West Virginia’s offense was, in a word, resurgent.

The same Mountaineers offensive unit that produced a paltry 171 yards against the Tigers came out swinging against the Wolfpack, churning up 445 yards of offense in the process.  Austin Kendall and his group made plays at every level, whether it was hitting pay dirt on the ground or making big play after big play through the air.  It was a coming out party of sorts for several young Mountaineers and, more importantly, a declaration to the rest of the Big 12 that West Virginia is not content just to rebuild and coast through 2019.

Let’s dole out some accolades after a well- earned 44-27 win.

Austin Kendall, QB

Photo by Doug Johnson/WVSportsNow

 Kendall was serviceable in his first start against James Madison but downright poor against Missouri a week ago.  Granted, it’s hard to do much of anything amid constant pressure and tissue paper-pockets.  The Oklahoma transfer received more than his share of the blame for a blow out loss on the road and he absolutely needed to bounce back in the biggest way.  Fortunately, that’s exactly what happened Saturday as the NC native finished the day with a solid line of 272 yards on 27-40 passing along with three scores, highlighted by a beauty of a strike over the middle to sudden touchdown machine George Campbell.  Kendall simply looked poised and was workman-like in managing to connect with seven different receivers on the day.  In addition, he showed a surprising level of shake in the open field and carried the ball four times for 33 yards.  In fact, were it not for getting hit in the third quarter and floating a bad pass right into an NC State defender’s hands, Kendall had an arguably perfect showing.  If he’s able to replicate this type of play week-in and week-out going forward, Austin Kendall will have West Virginia in fine position to legitimately compete in the upcoming Big 12 slate. Let there be no doubt: Austin Kendall can truly spin it.

Sam James, WR- No. 13, how do you do?!

Photo by Doug Johnson/WVSportsNow

Sam James arrived in Morgantown last year with a bit of fanfare and a mountain of potential, hailing from Georgia where he was a record-setter on the track.  After an understudy year watching the likes of Gary Jennings and David Sills go to work, James inherited a starting role on a team that was equal parts young and untested.  James might have been a bit unheralded heading into Saturday’s game, but that’s certainly not the case any longer after decimating Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 defense to the tune of 155 yards and a hat trick on only nine receptions. In total, James posted 212 all-purpose yards on the day and made it look easy.

He has, for all intents and purposes, arrived.

James looked like a world-beater out wide on Saturday, showcasing game-changing speed and an arsenal of moves after the catch. He first made his presence known just around the nine minute m ark of the 1st quarter when he caught a quick screen pass from Austin Kendall shook and cut his way from the 20 all the way across the goal line, a trail of would-be tacklers strewn in his wake. Whether it was on deep balls, screens or hand-offs, James simply got it done in blur-like fashion. There’s a bit of Shelton Gibson in his game, but to be this dangerous this early in his career, it’s not outlandish to think that he has an NFL-type ceiling.  After two years of David Sills, the no. 13 shirt seems to be threaded with secret sauce. Opposing secondaries beware: WVU has a new burner out wide.

Briason Mays, C

Photo by Doug Johnson/WVSportsNow.com

It’s not been easy going for West Virginia’s big guys up front in 2019. While Colton McKivitz has reliably anchored the blindside, the rest of Matt Moore’s O-line unit has been shaky to say the least. Saturday, Neal Brown trotted out a very visibly-shaken up offensive line hallmarked by a number of new faces at new positions.

Enter Briason Mays.

The freshman from Bolivar, TN, having never started a game at the collegiate level, was seemingly thrust into the fire at the 11th hour when he was given the start at center. In arguably the most pleasantly-surprising development from Saturday, Mays dazzled. The 6’3″, 300 pound youngster was a stalwart. No errant snaps, no glaring missed assignments and – most importantly – a quarterback with an immaculate jersey by game’s end.  Mays’ task was far from enviable and he excelled at a critical juncture for a young team yearning for a bit of redemption. Credit to West Virginia’s entire offensive line for finally road-grading and clearing out some space for the skill guys to make an impact. However, no one member of West Virginia’s offensive line beat the odds quite like Mays did on Saturday. I’d say he earned himself a victory steak and a whole lot more reps with the first team.

Kennedy McKoy, RB

Photo by Doug Johnson/WVSportsNow.com

 Running backs. Remember those? West Virginia has several good ones and they returned to the fold on Saturday.

Like the offensive line, the Mountaineers’ running backs have not gotten off to a hot start in 2019- 2nd worst in the NATION, to be exact. The question, only two games into the season, was when and if West Virginia would remember how to run the ball. The answer came Saturday and, fortunately, it was a resounding positive. Kennedy McKoy, the de facto leader of the unit, raised his hand on Saturday and let the nation know that he and his ilk had something to say. The senior from Lexington, NC racked up 66 yards and two TD’s on 10 carries while also chalking up nine yards receiving. The highlight of his day was a beautiful 23 yard run late in the first quarter that ended in him trucking a defender on his way over the goal line. It was a return to form for McKoy and, more importantly, the unit as a whole. As the leader of what was figured to be the most talented position unit on the entire team going into 2019, McKoy set the tone Saturday for how the Mountaineers backfield needs to roll moving forward.

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