MORGANTOWN —
West Virginia University’s bowl-bound football team was spotty at times and lacking consistently, especially during the five-game losing streak, while posting a 7-5 record.
But head coach Dana Holgorsen believes the Mountaineers were a “pretty good football team in the last four or five games.”
That is his opinion, and he admits that some people might differ with that. He cited steady improvement after the second bye week of the season.
That peaked obviously in the 59-10 blowout against Kansas in last week’s regular-season finale. But the Jayhawks wound up with a pitiful 1-11 record.
“Our guys didn’t quit,” Holgorsen said. “They finished strong. These kids played very well. We wanted to finish strong and did.”
West Virginia expects to get even better against Syracuse (7-5) on Dec. 29 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at New York City’s Yankee Stadium.
That postseason contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.
While most of the WVU coaches are beating the bushes for new talent to recruit this week, the players are preparing for final examinations in the classrooms coming up next week.
After that, they will start preparing for the bowl game. Tickets on sale at WVU cost $90.
Holgorsen said, “When we have all the pieces of the puzzle (together), I think we’re pretty good on offense and rushing with Shawne Alston and Tavon Austin.
“I think Geno Smith is as good a quarterback and on passing out there as I’ve ever seen. Absolutely!”
And the coach thinks Austin and Stedman Bailey are two of the best receivers he has ever seen.
“But when you’re 7-5, you’re not going to get (considered for the Heisman Trophy). But (Smith) will be remembered here for a long time.”
When WVU gets the running game going, Holgorsen thinks it alleviates a lot of pressure from Smith.
He recalled that Austin’s amazing performance against Oklahoma was one of the greatest he’s ever seen. The Baltimore native rushed for 344 yards and finished with 572 all-purpose yards.
Both are all-time records for WVU and the Big 12 Conference. The total yardage also was within six yards of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record.
“But we lost the game (50-49), so he doesn’t get the notoriety that he deserves,” Holgorsen said.
“It’s a team game. Those three guys are tremendous players, though, and they have had great careers here.”
Sports
FURFARI COLUMN: Is WVU stronger for bowl game?
- Sports
-
-
Polar Bears set for Oak Glen today
Oak Glen is next on the menu for the Fairmont Senior baseball squad.
With the 11-0 win over Braxton County on Tuesday evening, and Oak Glen’s eight-inning 2-1 win over Ritchie County, the two teams find themselves squaring off against one another while fighting for a spot to play in the state tournament. -
HERTZEL COLUMN: Big 12 baseball tournament is about America
All of a sudden the Big 12’s annual baseball tournament is more about America and the American way than it is about baseball.
And that makes it a wonderful thing. -
East’s Summers signs to play softball at FSU
East Fairmont softball player Kayla Summers always dreamed about playing softball in college.
On Tuesday, Summers signed her letter of intent to play at Fairmont State University.
“Ever since I started playing softball, I always told my parents that I was going to go to college and play softball,” she said. -
Musgrave to pitch WVU’s second game
West Virginia University baseball coach Randy Mazey believes that the change in format of the Big 12 Tournament will benefit his Mountaineers because it allows him to hold conference Pitcher of the Year Harrison Musgrave until the key second game of the tournament.
-
Jets QB Geno Smith picks Jay-Z’s agency as new rep
Geno Smith has joined Jay-Z for one big sports and hip-hop collaboration.
The New York Jets rookie quarterback has chosen the rap artist’s new Roc Nation Sports to represent him. Smith, who slipped out of the first round last month and fell to the Jets in the second round at No. 39 overall, fired his agents — Select Sports — shortly after the NFL draft. -
Liriano dominates as Pirates edge Cubs, 1-0
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.
-
Penguins rout Senators, 7-3, take 3-1 series lead
Jarome Iginla and James Neal each scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
-
FSHS glides past Braxton, 11-0: PHOTOS
Fairmont Senior High School’s baseball team leveled Braxton County in the Class AA semi-regionals Tuesday evening, 11-0.
The Polar Bears were led by their cleanup hitter, Johnny Kesling, and starting pitcher, Fletcher DeVaul. -
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bill Stewart is missed, remembered
It was Monday, the first anniversary of Bill Stewart’s sudden death while playing the 16th hole of a charity golf tournament with West Virginia University’s former athletic director and his former boss, Ed Pastilong.
-
Miles granted release from WVU
Junior forward Keaton Miles, who suffered through a disappointing sophomore season as West Virginia fell below .500, has been granted a release and will seek a transfer, according to published reports.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Polar Bears set for Oak Glen today
