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WVU Football
Preview
2021 Special Edition
2 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
Looking back at West Virginia’s 2020 football season
BY CHARLES MONTGOMERY
SPORTS EDITOR
No season of college foot-
ball had ever been more cha-
otic and unpredictable off the
field as the 2020 season was,
and the West Virginia football
team was not immune to the
constant upheaval.
Now, head coach Neal
Brown and the Mountaineers
are prepared to take the field
in College Park, Maryland, to
renew a rivalry with the Mary-
land Terrapins.
West Virginia enters the
2021 season with 2020 in its
rearview mirror after ques-
tionable losses, COVID-19
postponements and a Liberty
Bowl championship to cap off
the year.
Last season, WVU entered
with many question marks
surrounding the team, let
alone surrounding the sport,
as the COVID-19 pandemic
raged on throughout the sum-
mer. The Mountaineers found
their identity in their offensive
attack with a capable quarter-
back — Jarret Doege — un-
der center, but the definition PHOTO BY BEN QUEEN
of this team was in the rush-
ing attack.
Following a breakout cam-
fense is going to run through horns, WVU rebounded with The Liberty Bowl was not fensive back Dreshun Miller medo at mike linebacker and
paign, senior running back
Leddie.” a dominant win over TCU without more drama as WVU soon followed and transferred Darius Stills’ brother, Dante
Leddie Brown has been tasked
Despite the positives that in Morgantown on Nov. 14. failed to find consistency on to Auburn. Stills, on the defensive line.
with leading the West Virginia
came out of last season, the However, the regular season offense. Leddie Brown didn’t Both of these transfers were The backbone of this program
offense. Leddie Brown earned
Mountaineers continued to did not end on a high note. In get to 100 yards rushing and after defensive backs coach, under Neal Brown has been
himself spots on both the Max-
deal with adversity. Against what would be their final reg- Doege was benched at half- Jahmile Addae, left the pro- the defense and despite key
well Award Watch List and the
Texas, the WVU defense was ular season game of 2020, the time for Austin Kendall. gram to take the same posi- losses, it looks to continue that
Doak Walker Award Watch
stout throughout the after- Mountaineers were trounced Kendall forged ahead and tion at Georgia. Addae served streak this season.
List after accumulating 1,010
noon, but the offense sput- by Iowa State, 42-6. drove West Virginia back into as co-defensive coordinator Defensive coordinator Jor-
yards and nine touchdowns in
tered in the redzone. The regular season con- contention as he finished the with Jordan Lesley, the de- dan Lesley utilized the transfer
10 games.
Following the loss, Neal tinued on a downward spiral game 8-of-17 for 121 yards and fensive line coach. Lesley portal in the offseason to fulfill
Leddie Brown’s breakout
Brown took full responsibil- with COVID-19 issues causing two touchdowns. This perfor- has been promoted to defen- needs for his unit and is look-
performance was against the
ity for his play-calling mis- the game against Oklahoma to mance by the former 2019 sive coordinator for the 2021 ing to see who can contribute
Kansas Jayhawks on Oct. 17
cues that cost the Mountain- be postponed and ultimately starting quarterback looked season. the most.
when he rushed for 195 yards
eers two drives in the redzone cancelled. For West Virginia, to set up a competition for On top of transfers and “Yeah, I think they’d be able
and one touchdown while
in the fourth quarter of a one the season did not end there the starting job in 2021 before coaching changes, the West to contribute, I’d like them
also catching five passes for 36
score game. as it earned a chance to play in Kendall transferred in January Virginia defense lost two to,” Lesley said about trans-
yards and a touchdown. Neal
“Really today was on me,” the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in to Louisiana Tech. prime players to the NFL Draft fers to the defense. “You just
Brown has made it clear that
Brown said. “I want people Memphis, Tennessee. Kendall would not be the with Tony Fields II and Dar- try to get their development
the offense in 2021 will revolve
to understand, I don’t regret The Mountaineers were last significant name to trans- ius Stills. Fields was the all- caught up to where they need
around his star running back.
going for it (on fourth down). originally slated to face the fer from WVU in the offseason. around player for the Moun- to be and some guys are go-
“Leddie Brown, we’re go-
There are all kinds of data that Tennessee Volunteers, but The biggest loss for the en- taineers that made plays each ing to be ahead others. Yes,
ing to run our offense through
says it’s the right thing to do to COVID-19 reared its ugly head tire team was the announce- game while Darius Stills was we need them to contrib-
him,” Neal Brown said on the
go for it, in this league you bet- again and caused the Volun- ment that All-American de- the pillar of the defensive line. ute. We wouldn’t have them
offensive plan for this year.
ter score touchdowns down teers to withdraw. Tennessee fensive back, Tykee Smith, was The holes left by both play- here if we didn’t need them to
“He’s the one guy that has re-
there to win.” was replaced with the Army transferring to Georgia. After ers have been filled by familiar contribute.”
ally proven that he can go out
After the loss to the Long- Black Knights. Smith’s announcement, de- names in Josh Chandler-Se-
and win games, but our of-
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021 3
2021 SCHEDULE
9/4 10/23
MARYLAND TCU
9/11 10/30
LONG ISLAND IOWA STATE
9/18 11/6
VIRGINIA TECH OKLAHOMA ST
9/25 11/13
OKLAHOMA KANSAS STATE
10/2 11/20
TEXAS TECH TEXAS
10/9 11/27
BAYLOR KANSAS
4 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
Gee & gang’s predictions for the season
Earlier this year, WVU President E. Gordon Gee sat
down with the Daily Athenaeum for an exclusive
ve inter- portunity to re- “I saw that
fan, because I ally shine, I’m talking about
view. We asked him for his “unbiased” predictions
ions for we were we
think it’s very highly paid coach Brown and the stu-
the Mountaineer football season. were supposed
people out there and peo- dent athletes really like him.
Gee: “I don’t to be in the bottom
ple who pay a lot of money “Our new facilities are
know a lot about football. half in terms of win-
to watch highly paid people some of the best in the coun-
And I’m very honest about loss record at the end of
make a lot of money. That to try, if you’ve been out to see
that. I always joke I said, ‘I the season, according to
me, is just not what I want them, the new locker rooms
know, when our team runs the pundits. I would be
to see. and other things. So from a
into the end zone, and our very surprised if we’re
“Saying that, we have a competition point of view,
crowd cheers, that that’s not in the top half.
wonderful coaching staff -- I think we’ll be very strong.
good. But I do know, also “I’m definitely say-
young, energetic, very com- “The Big 12 is brutal. We
the athletics is an import- ing bowl game. For forty
mitted to what they’re do- start off with a Big 10 team,
ant component of a major years, right after Christ-
ing. I did take a look at our and then we play Virginia
American university, be- mas, I’ve gone to bowl
team, just from a point of Tech in our first three games.
cause it brings a lot of games, I don’t know
view that they look for look And I don’t know anything
spirit and energy to a anything else to do. I’d
bigger, they look stron- about Long Island. I didn’t
place. And I like that. be nervous not having
ger, they look faster, they’re even know that they had a
“And I’ve always en- any bowl game.”
more stretched, I think he’s football team. So I’m not go-
joyed college athlet-
recruited very well. And ing to under underestimate
ics, I’m not a pro sport
this will be sort of his op- anyone.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WVU
Babydog
Final record?
10-2 beating Texas and Va Tech at
home!
Season MVP?
Jarret Doege
Final score against Maryland?
WVU 42 - MD 18.
PHOTO COURTESY REBECCA HAMMEL
Sen. Joe Manchin Dan Stratford
Final record prediction? Final record prediction?
7-5. 10-2.
Season MVP? Season MVP?
Leddie Brown. Leddie Brown.
Final score against Maryland? Final score against Maryland?
WVU wins, 31-24 WVU wins, 27-10.
PHOTO COURTESY JOHN LYNCH
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021 5
Gameday by the numbers
Popcorn Boxes: Soft Pretzels:
13,365 23,937
Bottled
B otttled Water:
76,349
Fountain Sodas:
Total items sold 38,152
during the 2019
Hot Dogs:
28,192 football season
Canned Beer:
Nachos: 149,901
9,220 Pepperoni Rolls:
18,541
Source: Sodexo
6 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
Welcome veterans and newcomers
KEY RETURNERS
The West Virginia football team lost some ma-
jor players from last year’s roster, but have main-
tained many crucial playmakers on both sides of
the ball. These players are the key returners for
the 2021 football season.
PHOTO COURTESY BEN QUEEN
Jarret Doege (Redshirt work that Doege has put in Leddie.” Leddie Brown (Senior “Leddie Brown, we’re go- Kansas on Oct. 17 with 195
Senior Quartback) despite committing to run- In 10 games, Doege fin- Running Back) ing to run our offense through yards.
One of the most consis- ning the offense through ished with 2,587 yards pass- West Virginia has the “bad- him,” Neal Brown said. “I Heading into the season,
tent quarterbacks from last Leddie Brown. ing, 14 touchdowns and dest man in Morgantown” think he’s the one guy that has Brown has been added to
season in the Big 12 has re- “My expectation is that four interceptions. The only (courtesy of Gus Johnson) really proven that he can go the Maxwell Award watch list
turned under center for the we’re going to be much-im- drama that surrounded
back this season to lead the out and win games.” which is awarded to the best
Mountaineers in 2021. Doege proved in the passing game Doege was being benched
offense. Head coach Neal Last season, Leddie Brown overall player in college foot-
didn’t necessarily wow audi- and our stats really weren’t in the second half of the Lib-
ences in 2020, but he brought bad last year throwing the erty Bowl for Austin Kendall, Brown said in August that the finished with 1,010 yards and ball and he was added to the
consistency to a WVU pass- football,” Neal Brown said. but Kendall transferred in the offense will revolve around nine touchdowns in just 10 Doak Walker Award watch
ing attack and rarely commit- “I do think that our quarter- offseason. Leddie Brown this year fol- games. He also accumulated list.
ted costly turnovers. back and our receivers are For the final year in Mor- lowing a breakout season in five 100+ yard games with a
This offseason, Neal much-improved, but our of- gantown, it’s all Jarret Doege 2020. career performance against
Brown acknowledged the fense is going to run through now.
Alonzo Addae (Redshirt and earned a spot on the All- Brown’s tenure. The West Akheem Mesidor (Sopho- tiple Freshman All-American Morgantown.
Senior Safety) Big 12 Second Team after ac- Virginia secondary lost two more Defensive Lineman) honors. The West Virginia defense
One of the leaders of the cumulating 66 total tackles key pieces in the offseason Mesidor caused many With the departure of de- stops and starts with this de-
West Virginia defense is back and two interceptions. in Tykee Smith and Dreshun heads to turn in his freshman fensive lineman, Darius Stills, fensive line and expect Me-
in Morgantown for his final Addae will bring consis- Miller, but with the return of season despite only starting to the NFL Draft, Mesidor sidor paired with Dante Stills
season and he could have his tent leadership to a defensive Addae and Sean Mahone, the in one game. For the year, Me- will be a strong returner for a to create a formidable front for
biggest impact yet. Last year, unit that has been the hall- Mountaineers will be strong. sidor finished with 32 total Mountaineer defensive line the Mountaineers.
Addae started all 10 games mark of WVU football in Neal tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and that has anchored the team
five sacks as he earned mul- since Neal Brown took over in
NEWCOMERS
West Virginia has strong players coming back from
last year’s team, but still utilized the transfer portal
and incoming freshmen to fill some significant holes
on both sides of the ball. Here are two newcomers
that stand out heading into the new season.
Doug Nester (Junior of- addition of Nester and other started 17 games and played
fensiive lineman) young players, the line may in three more.
Nester is a new addi- be one of the best units in the Nester should provide ex-
tion from Virginia Tech to a Big 12. perience and stability at the
much-improved offensive Before playing for Virginia right guard position for West
line. The West Virginia offen- Tech, Nester played at Spring Virginia, something the team
sive line has been under scru- Valley high school with cur- has not had over the last few
tiny since last season due to rent teammate, Wyatt Milum. years.
its inconsistency, but with the While at Virginia Tech, Nester
Kerry Martin Jr. (Red- where as a true freshman he tributor to the back end of
shirt Sophomore Safety) recorded 50 tackles includ- the Mountaineer defense.
While Martin may not nec- ing 35 solo and 2.5 tackles If he can contribute simi-
essarily be a “new” addition for loss. larly to his first season where
to the Mountaineers, he will In 2020, Martin opted out he played 585 snaps, he will
still be a relatively new name of the season due to concerns make a big difference for the
for fans this season. Mar- with COVID-19. This season defense. PHOTO BY NICK KREMER
tin joined the team in 2019 Martin should be a key con-
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021 7
Offensive line becoming strength of WVU football
BY NICK KREMER
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Last season, the offensive
line was one of the weakest
units on the West Virginia
football team. This year the
line will be vastly different
with at least two new starters.
The starting offensive line
for the majority of the 2020
season was a combination of
Brandon Yates, James Gmiter,
Chase Behrndt, Mike Brown,
John Hughes and Zach Fra-
zier. Frazier only became a
starter during the season.
Behrndt and Mike Brown
both graduated.
In this season’s spring
game, the starters from left to
right were Yates, Gmiter, Fra-
zier, Jordan White and Parker
Moorer. Since the spring
game, Doug Nester and Wy-
att Milum have joined the
team, as both were four star
players out of Spring Valley
high school in West Virginia.
Nester transferred to West
Virginia from Virginia Tech
and is projected to be the
starter at the right guard po-
sition. There is still a battle
at the right tackle position;
Milum, Moorer and White
seem to be the players fight-
ing for it.
“We have a battle at right
PHOTO BY NICK KREMER
tackle with White, Milum and
Parker Moorer,” offensive line
coach Matt Moore said. “It’s
calls at the line. both believe that they have a in-state and if Milum takes Mountaineer offensive line- we did in the first two years,”
a battle, White’s really come
“At center, you have to solid number of high quality over, the entire right side of man Tyler Orlosky was the Neal Brown said.
in and done a really good job
make sure everyone is on the linemen. the line will be from West graduate assistant. Orlosky The Mountaineers’ offen-
with being ready to play and
same page up front. Even if I “We’re talking about seven Virginia. served in that role for the sive struggles also came in
knowing the offense. Parker
don’t make the correct call to eight guys ready to play. “It’s great to play beside maximum amount of time the passing game with the
has made himself way better
I have to make sure we are I think teams that are com- Doug (Nester) and Wyatt allowed at West Virginia and offensive line giving up a lot
over the past year and that
wrong together,” Frazier said. peting for championships are (Milum), I didn’t necessarily has since moved on to Ohio of sacks and pressures. Last
competition will do it, I mean
For the first time since in that 10-12 up front,” Neal play against the Spring Val- Dominican University. year’s offensive line gave
that’s what it is all about.”
Neal Brown and Moore took Brown said. ley (High School) guys but I Last season, West Virginia up 22 sacks for a loss of 127
With the new additions,
over, there has been a true “I feel good about seven knew who they were,” Frazier averaged 3.8 yards per rush yards which ranked No. 57 in
Frazier — who is entering
battle for positions in which guys and I think we can get said. “It’s special playing be- attempt which ranked out- the nation for sacks allowed.
his sophomore year — will
a starting-caliber player may three more ready and feel side West Virginia guys, we side of the top-100. Head The problems started up-
also be locked into a posi-
not crack the starting five. good about having that two can all relate to each other.” coach Neal Brown hopes front for West Virginia last
tion. Last season as a true
“Zach Frazier is doing a deep that I’ve been chasing,” Along with the additions that with a better offensive season, but with the new ad-
freshman, he was asked to
great job at center,” Moore Moore said in agreement. to the line itself, the offen- line, coaches can call a more ditions to the offensive line,
play center for a few games
said. “I feel good about the Depending on who wins sive line unit added a new well-rounded running game the hype around this season’s
and guard for others, but this
tackle spots. Yates has taken the right tackle spot, this graduate assistant with Jens to help add to the attack. offensive line has been real.
season he will start and stay
a step and he is still a pretty year’s offensive line could Danielsen. Danielsen comes “We hope we can be more “I’m really excited about
at center.
young player.” consist of between two and to West Virginia from Baylor well-rounded in the run this group, I think we’ve got
In this Mountaineer of-
With the added depth three players from within the where he served in the same game. We protected our tack- the highest ceiling we’ve had
fense, the center is asked to
at the offensive line posi- state of West Virginia. Fra- role for the past two seasons. les last year, so hopefully we since I’ve been here,” Moore
command the entire offen-
tion, Neal Brown and Moore zier and Nester both played Before Danielson, former can do a little bit more than said.
sive line and make all the
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8 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
PHOTO BY DUNCAN SLADE
Football isn’t their forte, but the Pride of WV never falls flat
An inside look at WVU’s halftime players
and the sophomores an op- the best thing that I could
BY LADIMIR GARCIA portunity to get in front of a ever do is be myself. Be hon-
ASSITANT CULTURE EDITOR group for the first time in a est and be authentic. About “It’s very exciting, everyone is excited to be back
really long time. And I think who I am and how I teach
The Daily Athenaeum sat they’re handling that really and thankfully that has been and there’s definitely that family bond, like all of
down with Cheldon Wil- well. Right, that’s good. received really well.
liams, director of the Pride DA: Your first game is on DA: How do you feel being the sections are very close with each other.”
of West Virginia for an in- Saturday, right? Do you think at WVU and in Morgantown
terview before the band’s they’re excited? Are you ex- in general?
first performance. cited for it? Williams: It is a transition. -Olivia Delgado, junior mellophone player
Williams: Yes. We just Many people know this, but
DA: What are you excited started rehearsal today and I graduated from UT over
about the most for this sea- figured out our contribu- a year ago with my doctor-
son with the band? tion to the music perfor- ate and before that I was in
Williams: I’m really ex- mance. We’ll be performing Miami. It is a bit of a cul-
cited that we get the oppor- in tandem with the Mary- ture shock. And I hate to say
tunity to perform together land band. And the students that word because it makes “I’m very excited to be back in person; that’s the
and to build bonds with one seem to be taken to instruc- it sound like it’s bad. But I’m
another. Last year was really tion really well. And they’re learning a new culture. I’m main focus of the band is playing in person. Last
difficult in that the band had also thriving as a team as a learning a new way of being,
to rehearse in three sections. unit. So I’m excited for them. and I am really enjoying the
year’s season though we did have some stuff, we
And some of the members
did not get the opportunity to
And I think that excitement ride. I signed up for this, and had to stay separated. We had smaller groups, it’s
is transferring really well to I signed up for becoming re-
meet everyone, even within them. Because they’re giving ally immersed in and what just not the same.”
their sections, because of the it right back to me. this is, what it means to be a
protocols that were placed DA: What are some of the Mountaineer. And I have to
-Julian Work, senior trombone player
with COVID. What I’m most struggles you expect to face say, I’m really enjoying the
excited about is getting the or that you’ve already faced, ride so far.
culture back with the band so far? DA: Is there anything in
and getting the students back Williams: The newness particular that you really en-
together performing. for a really large portion of joyed while being here at
DA: The freshmen and the band is something in- WVU so far?
sophomores, some of them cluding me, by the way. I’m Williams: What I en-
“I am looking forward to the very first football game.
didn’t really get to experi-
ence what the upperclass-
new to what this band is, I’m joy most is the community There’s just nothing else like it, to be running out
new to the culture, I’m new of people, alumni, fellow
men had experienced before to some of the traditions that Mountaineers, people in the in that field, definitely missed that during COVID.”
in band. How do you think the band has held for it’s over region that really revere the
the freshmen and sopho- 120-year history. So that be- band and what the band has
mores are doing so far? ing said, the newness is one offered culturally to the re- -Meghan Delaney, senior trumpet player
Williams: They’re do- of the things that we are, at gion. That’s something that,
ing wonderfully. It’s really the same time struggling I have to be honest, I did not
nice that they are coming with. But it’s not a struggle, I know ran so deeply.
in and getting an opportu- think that newness provides DA: What words would
nity to learn from the very us an opportunity to grow. you use to describe the en-
few upperclassmen that we And it also provides us an ergy that you and the band
have left. And it’s a smaller opportunity to chart our own share at the very moment? “It’s definitely a learning curve for all of us. All of us
amount of upperclassmen path, which I think is kind of And with the upcoming per-
versus freshmen and soph- powerful. formance on Saturday? are getting used to a new director, and then he’s
omores. The freshmen and
sophomores, I think they’re
DA: How has the transition
for that been like and what
Williams: Exhilarating.
I know the students have
getting used to how we run as well, and I think you
doing wonderfully having have you done to make ev- worked very hard. And I’m know things have been going really well.”
to learn pregame and hav- eryone in the band feel com- grateful for that. I’m grateful
ing to learn our process and fortable with you as our new to belong to an organization
the way that we do things. So director? with people that are so com-
we’ve already had two per-
-Caitlyn Gatain, junior drum major
Williams: I feel like the mitted to the art form, and
formances with the two Sun- transition is going really well. that are so committed to the
day night light performances And as far as comfort level, community here at WVU.
and that gave the freshmen
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021 9
‘Return to tailgating’: What to expect on WVU game day
BY CHARLES MONTGOMERY tucky for the season opener.
SPORTS EDITOR COVID-19 had a severe fi-
nancial impact on many in-
On Saturday, the Moun- stitutions and according to
taineers kick-off against the Wells, West Virginia lost $25
Maryland Terrapins in their million due to COVID-19 re-
first game of the 2021-22 sea- strictions that limited atten-
son and after a year of restric- dance and games.
tions to combat the spread of “For this past fiscal year
COVID-19, the West Virginia that total that we lost is $25
athletic department is pre- million,” Wells said. “I don’t
pared to fully reopen Milan think you’ll ever fully make
Puskar Stadium with little to up those losses. Our goal is to
no restrictions in place. minimize that loss or consol-
“As we sit here today, the idate it to a one or two year
plan is to return everything loss.”
to ‘normal’ at pre-pandemic Now, all athletic events will
levels,” said Matt Wells, ex- allow full capacity this fall,
ecutive senior associate ath- which includes tailgating be- PHOTO BY DUNCAN SLADE
letics director for external af- fore WVU football games. Not
fairs. “It would look just like only can fans return to tailgat-
experience.” to take those best practices
2019 from a percentage of ca- ing, but they will have the op-
Wells said that WVU does and implement them into the
pacity standpoint, from a pre- portunity to utilize a new ex-
not plan to have any prior re- 2021 season, but we won’t
game events standpoint and perience from Tailgate Guys.
strictions at games and that have forced guidelines or
tailgating. We just hope to go “I think the benefit that
the only thing that will con- mandatory things that didn’t
back to the way things oper- the Tailgate Guys package
tinue is the option to use mo- exist before 2019.”
ated pre-pandemic.” brings is that it defines your
bile ticketing. The first game in Mor-
For the majority of last sea- space and allows you just to
“We adjusted and adapted gantown for WVU football is
son, the West Virginia football have your guest associated
and forced mobile ticket de- against Long Island on Sept.
team played in front of a lim- with your tailgate,” Wells
livery,” Wells said. “We didn’t 11. Other sports, such as
ited capacity for home games. said. “It’s concierge level ser-
force mobile ticketing this men’s and women’s soccer,
The only game that the Moun- vice, so they’re doing most of
year, but we gave fans the have already played in front
taineers did not have an audi- the work for you to make it a
option of a printed ticket at of substantial crowds.
ence was against Eastern Ken- simpler and more enjoyable
an additional fee. We tried PHOTO BY DUNCAN SLADE
10 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
‘We need to get a bad taste out of our mouth’
Brown looks to improve on 2020 road woes
Mountaineers only managed
BY CHARLES MONTGOMERY
14 points per game.
SPORTS EDITOR
Brown isn’t the only coach
on the WVU staff to express
Last season, the West Vir-
his excitement about chang-
ginia football team had its
ing the narrative on the road
fair share of troubles on the
for the Mountaineers with the
road even without full capac-
season opener against Mary-
ity stadiums there to greet the
land. Co-offensive coordina-
Mountaineers in places like
tor, Gerad Parker said that
Stillwater, Oklahoma, and
taking a bus to College Park,
Ames, Iowa.
Maryland, is different than
Despite an 0-4 record last
a normal flight, but it might
season in road games, head
help the team start the year
coach Neal Brown is happy
strong.
that the Mountaineers will be
“It may help us,” Parker
playing in their first true road
said. “We need something a
game to open a season since
little different to start it on the
2005.
road and then come home.”
“I’m glad we’re on the road
The Mountaineers will
to start off, I really am,” Brown
travel to some tough Big 12
said. “We had some struggles
venues this fall against Okla-
there [playing on the road]
homa, Baylor, TCU and Kan-
last year, so we’re looking to
sas State. WVU also faces
play much more improved
Kansas on the road, but it has
than we did a year ago on the
PHOTO BY RYLAN NEMESH only lost in Lawrence, Kan-
road.”
sas, once.
However, this year, West
Since joining the Big 12,
Virginia won’t be playing in season at the helm. never had more than five road on playing the first game on and win on the road, which West Virginia has defeated ev-
many stadiums at limited ca- In just two short years, games in a single season. the road. “We didn’t go on we didn’t a year ago,” Brown ery team in the conference ex-
pacity after that being the Brown has had to coach in 10 Brown is about to have the road and perform as well. added. cept for the Oklahoma Soon-
common theme in 2020 due road games and has gone a his second year of traveling That hasn’t been the case his- In road games, West Vir- ers. WVU has also beaten
to COVID-19. This season, combined, 3-7. In his eight- six times during the regular torically, we played our best ginia was outscored by a com- every team in their home
the Mountaineers will play year tenure, former WVU season. football on the road in ‘19.” bined 120-56 last season. On venue at least once, except
six true road games which is head coach Dana Holgorsen “We need to get a bad taste “I don’t think it’s an issue, average, opponents scored for Oklahoma.
the most since Brown’s first went 20-17 on the road, but out of our mouth,” Brown said but we still have to go out 30 points per game while the
Doege feels confident heading into senior season
Quarterbacks coach Sean
BY NICK KREMER
Reagan believes that Doege
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
has done everything he can to
Just over nine months ago, be a better quarterback going
quarterback Jarret Doege was into the 2021 season.
benched in the AutoZone Lib- “He’s done everything in his
erty Bowl at halftime in favor power to be the best quarter-
of Austin Kendall. back that Jarret Doege can be
Now a season later, Doege since he came back to school
hopes to put that memory be- in January after the bowl
hind him with the improve- game,” Reagan said.
ments he has made to his While some might have
game. been discouraged after get-
“I thought I worked hard ting benched in a bowl game,
last year and then this year I Doege took the criticism to
put it into a whole new per- heart and decided to figure out
spective of how hard I needed how he could get better.
to work to get better,” Doege “To be able to tell him where
said. he is at, where the shortcom-
Last season, Doege com- ings are and he’ll attack them,
pleted 239-of-374 passes for that is what Jarret Doege did,
2,587 yards and 14 touch- he just took that stuff and at- PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSSELL LUNA
downs. While the numbers tacked,” co-offensive coordi-
were solid, Doege struggled nator Gerad Parker said. had a little talk, he gave me will not feel the pressure from likely not see time this season game and ran for 135 yards per
with deep ball passing and Doege did not let benching two days just to sit there and the man who filled in last behind Doege. game.
pocket mobility. in the bowl game get to him. think about what happened season. With the offense running However, there will be times
“I wanted to focus on pocket Following the bowl game, he and then it was, wipe it out and Sophomore Garrett Greene through Leddie Brown, there when the offense can not run
movement and the deep ball talked to his brother (a former let’s go to work,” Doege said. will be the backup this sea- will not be as much pressure the ball and the team will rely
so I did that with the intention college quarterback) about Kendall transferred from son and while he was a highly on Doege to have a good year. on Doege to make plays to get
of doing everything that I al- what he should do. West Virginia to Louisiana touted recruit, he has not seen Last season, the offense threw a win.
ready did before,” Doege said. “Me and my brother just Tech this offseason so Doege much action and will most for an average of 277 yards perFOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021 11
Biggest questions heading into 2021 season
Neal Brown’s contract extension The battle in the kicking game
Charles Montgomery, Nick Kremer, Assistant
Sports Editor: In April, head Sports Editor: Last season the
coach Neal Brown earned a Mountaineers had to use three
contract extension that will different kickers throughout
keep him in Morgantown the year due to injuries. Evan
through 2026. After just two
Staley started the season and
years at the helm of West Vir-
played in the first six games of
ginia football, Neal Brown has
shown his ability to develop the season before he suffered
recruitment trails and build a a season-ending knee injury.
program around young talent. Staley has been the team’s
However, was it too early starting kicker since 2017, his
for a contract extension for a redshirt freshman season,
coach that has gone 11-11 in since then he has appeared in
two seasons? Keep in mind, 40 career games making 39 of
PHOTO BY DUNCAN SLADE PHOTO COURTESY CALEB SAUNDERS
2020 was not a full 12-game 53 field goals.
slate due to COVID-19. ers, but he has yet to garner a to bite them. Year three is a sig- In each of the last two sea- games in his career and during field goals last season.
That is why this contract strong winning season. nificant year for Neal Brown that time, he has made seven Following camp, Legg was
sons, Staley has suffered leg
extension is one of my biggest I think it was a good move and the Mountaineers to show of the 11 attempted field goals. named the starting kicker for
injuries which have forced
questions for 2021. I under- by the university to lock him how far they’ve come since the The last kicker in the mix is the Mountaineers but Staley
stand Neal Brown has shown down early through 2026, but I Dana Holgorsen era and going Casey Legg into the spot-
light. Legg has appeared in 13 Tyler Sumpter, the redshirt se- and Sumpter will not be far
his capability off the field in re- just hope it doesn’t come back 5-7 in Neal Brown’s first year.
nior who made three of four behind.
cruiting and developing play-
Jarret Doege and the offense New look defensive line
Montgomery: Last season Kremer: The defensive line
the Mountaineers found their was the strength of the defense
offensive identity through run- last season and that unit was
ning back Leddie Brown. led by Darius Stills who is no
Doege impressed with his longer with the team. This sea-
consistency and his aware- son, if the defensive line is to
ness to avoid turnovers, but remain a strong spot the unit
there were many times when will have to see growth from a
he wasn’t doing enough. No couple players.
bigger example came in the Dante Stills is one of the first
Liberty Bowl when Doege was names that comes to mind in
benched at halftime in favor of replacing the productivity of
Austin Kendall. his brother. Last season Dante
Kendall led the comeback Stills had 1.5 fewer sacks than
and was surprisingly not cho- Darius Stills but he had 10
sen as the MVP of the game. more total tackles.
Kendall transferred in the off- PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN BAHR Another key player will be PHOTO COURTESY BEN QUEEN
season so any chance of a dra- Akheem Mesidor. Last season,
ward to be a significant threat ing a play. He won’t have a ton dan Lesley moved into the de- Prior to taking over the
ma-filled quarterback battle Mesidor led the team in sacks
in the Big 12? of weight on him with the of- fensive coordinator position. Mountaineer defensive line,
was squashed. with five.
I think he can do both. fense running through Leddie The new defensive line coach Jackson coached the same po-
Can Doege maintain the The defensive line will also
Doege is a smart quarterback Brown, but he will still need to is Andrew Jackson, as he took sition at Old Dominion.
consistency he had last sea- be led by a new coach as Jor-
that knows when to avoid forc- make plays over the position in January.
son? Can he take a step for-
How does the secondary handle Jordan Lesley’s first year as
offseason departures? defensive coordinator
Montgomery: No unit on Kremer: When Neal Brown
the West Virginia defense went became head coach of the
through a more chaotic offsea- Mountaineers he brought Jor-
son than the secondary. With dan Lesley in as his defensive
the departures of Tykee Smith, line coach and since then,
Lesley has done nothing but
Dreshun Miller and defensive
impress.
backs coach Jahmile Addae,
Last season, the Moun-
it’s going to be an interesting taineers played without one
year. true defensive coordinator al-
Alonzo Addae and Sean though Lesley was one of the
Mahone are both back at safety co-defensive coordinators.
so that gives the Mountain- As a co-defensive coordina-
eers good experience at that tor last season, Lesley helped
position. Nicktroy Fortune will lead the Mountaineers to the
have to make big time plays at top ranked pass defense in
cornerback to help out in the PHOTO COURTESY WILLIAM WOTRING college football last season. PHOTO COURTESY WILLIAM WOTRING
The team also ranked No. 4
secondary. has the biggest holes to fill. I and Mahone are both great pair of All-Americans as Dar- freshman All-America honors
in total defense allowing just
This will be a unit to follow think this unit might struggle playmakers at safety. ius Stills earned the program’s and Dante Stills earned All-Big
291.4 yards per game.
through the first games as it a little early, but Alonzo Addae first Consensus All-American 12 Second Team honors.
Lesley’s defensive line had a
since 2006. Mesidor earned12 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2021
WE’RE READY
TO CHEER ON THE
MOUNTAINEERS
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