INSTANT RECAP: Kendall’s 4 Interceptions Doom West Virginia As Mountaineers Fall 42-31

Coming into the game on Saturday, the story was about the Longhorns depleted secondary against the inexperience of the West Virginia Mountaineers receivers and the deep ball (in)accuracy of quarterback Austin Kendall. Austin Kendall threw four interceptions in the game, including three in the second half when the Mountaineers were down only one score and trying to climb back into the game.

The Mountaineers started the game as well as you could want, going 5 plays and watching redshirt freshman Sam James catch a tough throw for a touchdown on the opening drive. The defense weathered a 16-play drive by the Longhorns when kicker Cameron Dicker missed a field goal. Unfortunately, the subsequent drive saw Kendall throw his first interception of the game on a streak play when the linebacker stayed underneath the route. Texas would cash in on the interception, scoring a touchdown.

Vic Koenning and the defense kept the Mountaineers in the game as long as they could but the constant interceptions by Kendall became too much. Kendall was victimized by some athletic plays by the Texas secondary and the Longhorn offense made sure to cash in on the extra opportunities. Ehlinger threw two touchdowns following Kendall interceptions and Devin Duvernay ran for a score. Ehlinger also ran for a score following a missed field goal.

Overall the turnovers overshadowed a productive afternoon for both the offense and defense. Kendall threw for over 300 yards and the secondary picked off Ehlinger and held him under 250 yards. TJ Simmons broke 100 yards receiving. Late in the game, receiver Bryce Wheaton caught his first career touchdown.

The Mountaineers are back home next weekend against Iowa St. Cyclones at 4 PM on ESPN.