MORGANTOWN — History demands we record firsts. You know what we mean. George Washington was the first president of the United States, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon, Roger Bannister the first man to run the 4-minute mile.

So it is as the Dana Holgorsen Era began to unfold at West Virginia. Here are the historic firsts as they happened:

• First coin flip was won by Marshall, which elected to receive.

• First kickoff was returned 33 yards by Marshall.

• Holgorsen, who came to WVU with a reputation as an offensive innovator and genius, ran his first play and it was, as expected, a pass. Those who had QB Geno Smith to freshman RB Andrew Buie for 2 yards in the pool, collect.

• The first possession under Holgorsen looked a whole lot like a Jeff Mullen possession, three and out.

• The first punt by Corey Smith was a beauty, booming 55 yards.

• The first punt return against a Holgorsen team off that 55-yard punt was much like one from the Bill Stewart era, carried back 87 yards to the house by Andre Booker.

What’s that they say about the more things change, the more they stay the same?

• West Virginia’s first run was also by Buie, this going for 9 yards.

• That 9-yard run was not bad but Holgorsen likes big plays, so at 11:30 of the second quarter he mixed in his first trick play. Perhaps he ought to stick to the basics, the flea flicker almost getting Geno Smith killed and ended in an incompletion.

• The first touchdown under Holgorsen came when Smith hit Ivan McCartney running a slant in the back of the end zone from 4 yards out with 13:51 left in the second quarter.

• The first sack of the Holgorsen era came at 9:50 of the second quarter, Smith being leveled by a pair of Marshall defenders for an 11-yard loss.

• The sack also led to the first fumble, that being by Smith with the ever-present Buie recovering.

• The first third-down conversion came rather uniquely on an incomplete pass, Marshall’s Rashad Jackson hitting Stedman Bailey after the play had ended. Jackson’s father is the former NFL player Rickey Jackson.

• The first fourth-down decision by Holgorsen came with 10:38 left in the third quarter. Facing fourth and 1 at Herd 49, Holgorsen opted to go for it, brought in his jumbo backs package, then somehow gave freshman Vernard Roberts his first collegiate carry.

• He is still looking for his first yard gained as the play was stuffed and Marshall went down and got a field goal out of it.

• That field goal led to another first, for Marshall had to kick off and Holgorsen got his first 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Tavon Austin, giving the new coach his first two-touchdown lead, 27-13.

The 100-yard kickoff return WAS NOT the first of Austin’s career, having had one against UConn in 2008.

• Moments later there was another first, the first lightning delay in Holgorsen’s head coaching career. The delay went to 2 hours and 18 minutes before play was resumed.

• The first day game of the Dana Holgorsen era became the first night game, too, due to the delay.

• The first crowd was 60,758, which in the end is really all that matters to Ollie Luck. There were only five crowds of 60,000 or more in the Stewart era, only two at home in the last two years.

• In the fourth quarter, when it finally got there, three and a half hours after the second half kickoff, Vernard Roberts gave Holgorsen his first rushing TD from a yard out, moments before the third lightning delay of the night.



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The NFL is a tough league. Former WVU cornerback Ellis Lankster intercepted a pass and ran it back 67 yards for a TD in Buffalo’s last preseason game, then was cut.

Jarrett Brown, the former WVU quarterback, had a good game in the Browns’ final game, throwing his first professional TD pass … and was cut. The Browns are hoping he will clear waivers and plan to sign him to their practice squad.

Linebacker Mortty Ivy made 10 tackles and had a fumble recovery for the Steelers … and was cut. Ivy, too, could end up on the practice squad or claimed elsewhere.

Make it a threesome. Wes Lyons, despite a great catch in the final exhibition for the Steelers, also was cut but somehow you believe a 6-8 wide receiver will find a practice squad spot somewhere.

Offensive lineman Selvish Capers, a proven commodity, was cut by the Washington Redskins.

Oh, yes, and in the UFL, former WVU quarterback Patrick White was surprisingly cut by the Virginia Destroyers.



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Now for the really good news.

Although selected with the next-to-last pick in the draft, NT Chris Nield made the Washington Redskins’ roster. The word is his special teams play allowed the Skins to keep him.



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West Virginia quarterbacks have thrown for 300 yards or more 29 times in the school’s history. Coach Dana Holgorsen has now had quarterbacks throw for 300 yards or more in 29 of his last 36 games ... A dozen freshmen were dressed for the game, which is a high number, and Holgorsen believes most of them will play by the end of the season … Surprisingly out for game was running back, Trey Johnson, who is injured. WR Bradley Starks, who has not practiced much, was dressed for the game and even caught his first pass of the season ... Cover of the first game program of the year went to Bruce Irvin … and no, you didn’t have to carry it around in a sack ... Running back Andrew Buie was announced out of the remainder of the game during the lightning delay due to a bruised collarbone … There were nine first-time starters, five on offense.

Email Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.