West Virginia will try to build on its 65-7 win over Towson when it travels to Virginia Tech for Thursday night’s showdown. The Mountaineers are still looking for a win over a Power Five team this season, as they came up short against Pittsburgh and Kansas in their first two games. Virginia Tech lost to Old Dominion in its opener before bouncing back with wins over Boston College and Wofford—the Mountaineers recorded a 27-21 win at home when these teams met last season.
West Virginia has as disappointing of a two-week stretch as it could have imagined to open the season. The Mountaineers allowed a late touchdown to lose their Thursday night opener on the road against Pittsburgh in front of a nationally televised audience, losing in a 38-31 final as 7.5-point underdogs. They were unable to bounce back as two-touchdown favorites against Kansas in Week 2, losing to the upstart Jayhawks in overtime. West Virginia finally got back on track last weekend in its 65-7 rout against Towson. The Mountaineers scored on all 10 of their possessions, recording nine touchdowns and one field goal.
Tight turnaround …
so let's go to work. #BeatVT pic.twitter.com/uBBW6TG8vf
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) September 20, 2022
They have now scored 30-plus points in all three of their games and rank No. 13 nationally in total offense (513.0 ypg). Junior quarterback JT Daniels has completed 64.4% of his passes for 747 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. His top target has been junior wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who has 24 receptions for 296 yards and four scores. Junior Sam James has added 11 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown. The Mountaineers have a balanced rushing attack, with freshman CJ Donaldson and sophomore Tony Mathis Jr. combining for more than 500 yards on the ground through three games. They are facing a Virginia Tech defense that ranks fifth in the FBS, allowing just 201.0 yards per game.