WVU defensive lineman Asani Redwood (2) will get off the snap throughout a sport in opposition to Pittsburgh in Morgantown. (Photograph by David Pennock)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s protection had been stable via the primary three video games. Zac Alley’s protection ranked second within the nation in sacks and held defenses to little over 14 factors per sport. The protection saved WVU in video games sufficient for the lackluster offense to sneak out wins.
Within the first three video games, there was a obtrusive weak spot with Alley’s protection, although, and Kansas utterly uncovered it — the massive play. Alley’s protection might go toe-to-toe with Pitt, Ohio and Kansas for many of the drive, however all the sudden, the protection misses an project, doesn’t wrap up, or is out-coached and the offense breaks off for a 20-plus yard landing. These are heartbreakers, particularly on third down.
“I believed the protection performed actually arduous within the first half,” Wealthy Rodriguez stated. “Gave up one or two huge performs.”
In contrast to Ohio and Pitt, Kansas broke off a whole lot of huge performs. On the primary drive of the sport, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels hit Levi Wentz on a 41-yard landing. Shortly, the Jayhawks have been up 7-0. That’s nice, Alley’s protection can provide up one, or two huge performs, and the offense ought to nonetheless have an opportunity to win the remainder of the sport.
It wasn’t simply as soon as, or twice. Alley’s protection gave up 4 scores of 10-plus yards and three have been of 30 yards or extra. The massive play is changing into an issue for the DC.
“They made some performs and we made some errors that didn’t actually assist ourselves out any,” linebacker Reid Carrico stated. “It’s a superb factor that it occurred. We clearly notice we’ve got some issues on the market and so they received exploited.”
Kansas is an explosive offense. After throttling WVU, Kansas averages 37 factors per sport. With Daniels, Carrico and the protection knew they needed to be on high of their sport, and the Jayhawks weren’t doing something new.
“In the event you didn’t have your eyes in the appropriate spot, then they might mess with you,” Carrico stated. “On the finish of the day, we knew they have been going to commerce, shift and movement throughout, try to confuse us. A few instances, they most likely did. Credit score to them.”
Carrico stated Sunday after Kansas is when WVU will make adjustments to right the massive play points and there are a pair areas to repair.
All collectively tackling wasn’t the most effective once more. On a few huge performs, there have been missed tackles, even on the kickoff return landing on particular groups. That ought to be fastened simply.
A lot of the huge performs have been both blown coverages or mismatches. WVU defensive finish Jimmori Robinson, who was making his debut after not taking part in soccer all season, was lined up in cross protection on the working again within the backfield. Robinson had no probability overlaying him. Kansas found out the right way to make WVU uncomfortable. That’s defensive play calling, so the younger DC has homework.
The Mountaineers’ protection has to right the problems shortly. Utah involves city, after which they head to Provo to play BYU, whose offense is clicking on all cylinders, and the Cougars are ranked within the Prime 25. Then, WVU has a bye, which could possibly be a lot wanted after a protracted stretch of high-powered offenses.
The offense additionally wants to assist out a little bit bit.
“They’re a superb soccer group and we’re a superb soccer group,” Carrico stated. “Simply should get via a few of these rising pains, and learn to win these video games.”
