West Virginia is riding high as it enters a Big 12 tilt against a reeling Colorado squad on Saturday in Morgantown, W. Va.
While the Mountaineers and Buffaloes share identical records at 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference, it’s West Virginia, in the first year of Rich Rodriguez’s second stint atop the program, looks headed in the right direction.
The Mountaineers went on the road last week and ran all over then-No. 22 Houston 45-35 in their biggest win of the season. Diore Hubbard rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. had 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Cyncir Bowers also rushed for 65 yards with a score. Overall, West Virginia racked up a 246-82 edge in rushing yards against the Cougars.
“He played pretty well,” said Rodriguez about Fox. “Especially for a true freshman. He’s taken steps and has played beyond his years in the last two games. You wouldn’t think he’s a true freshman that got thrust into that role.”
Colorado is 0-3 away from home, and coach Deion Sanders has his hands full when it comes to naming a starting quarterback. The Buffaloes were rolled at home 52-17 by Arizona last week, and all three signal callers spent time behind center. Kaidon Salter completed 11 of 15 passes for just 49 yards with
a touchdown and an interception.
Ryan Staub entered in relief and threw two picks in two passes and was sent to the bench in favor of 5-star freshman Julian Lewis, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.
The Georgia native’s second pass was a 59-yard touchdown to Omarion Miller. Lewis gets the nod this week to make his first career start for the Buffaloes.
“He’s a young kid. He’s going to make young-kid mistakes,” Sanders said. “It’s up to the staff to get him prepared and to get him ready so he can be concise and precise. He has to make quick reads and get the ball out of there. He has to run when he feels pressure and just be himself. Do what he’s been doing his whole life.”
