WVU Football
WVU RB Tye Edwards Details Conquering Doubters, Anxiety to Emerge as Brawl Hero
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – When Jahiem White was announced as out for the year, most WVU fans wrote the Mountaineers off. And when thinking about who would emerge as West Virginia’s new featured running back, if there would even be one, few pointed to Tye Edwards.
Fortunately for WVU, Rich Rodriguez didn’t listen to those doubters. WVU’s rushing attack stepped up as a unit, mostly thanks to Edwards taking advantage of the opportunity to be the workhorse.
“When he (White) went down, I told him, ‘I got you,'” offered Edwards about his mindset going into the week. “Even the media, they could say something about the run game. I just believe in the man above. As long as you keep him first, no matter what defense you face…”
On 25 carries, Edwards accounted for 141 of the team’s 174 rushing yards. He also scored three of WVU’s four touchdowns, including punching in what would become the game-winning score in overtime.
WVU running back Tye Edwards scores one of his three touchdowns against Pitt in the 2025 Backyard Brawl. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)
Edwards’ 141 yards came in a physical “Hard Edge” like manner, so much so that he described himself as a “Hard Edge runner” while talking with reporters after his big game.
Making his monster performance even more impressive, Edwards admitted to having to conquer another unstable beyond the Panthers’ defense. He said he deals with severe anxiety, and it was an added obstacle throughout the game due to the large crowd and the magnitude of the moment.
“Every game I play, I got real bad anxiety. I always get tired. All the training, all the running doesn’t mean nothing. The first couple plays, I’m super drained, super tired, anxious.”
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