West Virginia Overcomes Turnovers, Takes Sting Out of Hornets 59-16

The West Virginia Mountaineers cruised to their second win of the season as they easily defeated the Delaware State Hornets 59-16. The Mountaineers, behind junior quarterback Will Grier, built an early lead and the game was never in doubt.

Last week against the East Carolina Pirates, the Mountaineers seemed slightly better on special teams. This week, special teams gave the Mountaineers an early gift as Marcus Simms returned the opening kickoff 80 yards to the DSU 18. Four plays later, Justin Crawford punched the ball in for the first of his three rushing touchdowns on the day.

Speaking of Crawford, Justin totaled another 100-yard performance, giving him three straight 100-yard games this season. Crawford on only 15 carries gained 102 yards. On the season, he has carried the ball only 43 times but produced 326 yards for an eye-popping 7.6 YPC.

Junior Will Grier continues to shine as the signal caller for West Virginia. Grier threw another three touchdown passes: 62 yards to Marcus Simms, 28 yards to Ka’Raun White and 16 yards to Marcus Simms. It was Grier’s third straight 300-yard performance as he finished the game with 304 yards on 19-of-27 passing.

The game featured a comedy of errors at one point as Gary Jennings, who finished with 6 catches for 128 yards, fumbled a catch. Delaware State gave the ball back three plays later when Dravon Askew-Henry intercepted Jack McDaniels. Will Grier then had the second of his two turnovers when he was intercepted by Nigel Bynum.

Notes:

• Official attendance 51,482.
• Will Grier through three games is still ahead of Geno Smith’s 2012 pace for passing yards (4,450 to 4,385) and touchdowns (47 to 42)
• Chris Chuganov threw his first touchdown pass to Reggie Roberson. He finished the day with 5-of-7 passing for 30 yards.
• Mitch Chuganov, the brother of Chris, caught his first pass in the fourth quarter from his brother.