DC 2018-09-07 by The Daily Texan

T H E D A I L Y T E X A N P R E S E N T S

Double Coverage VOL. 13 ISSUE 2 | SEP 7, 2018

FOOTBALL VS. TULSA

VOLLEYBALL VS. KENTUCKY

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 AT 7 P.M.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7 AT 8 P.M.

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DOUBLE COVERAGE

texan

staff picks

Alex Briseño

Ross Burkhart

Tulsa at Texas

Texas

No. 17 USC at No. 10 Stanford

Stanford

No. 18 Miss. St at Kansas State

Kirsten Handler

Steve Helwick

Robert Larkin

Wills Layton

Kihwan Lee

Keshav Prathivadi

Donnavan Smoot

CJ Vogel

Texas

Stanford

USC

Stanford

USC

Stanford

Miss. St

Kansas St

Miss. St

No. 3 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina

Georgia

No.2 Clemson at Texas A&M

Clemson

Iowa State at Iowa

Iowa

Cal at BYU

Cal

BYU

Cal

BYU

Cal

BYU

Cal

BYU

Kansas at Central Michigan

Central Michigan

UCLA at No. 6 Oklahoma

Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech at South Florida

Design Editor...............................Kendall Jordan Photo Editor....................................Angela Wang Copy Editor.................................Kirsten Handler Cover Photo.......................................Katie Bauer Writers

Vol. 13, Issue 2 Friday, Sept. 7, 2018

South Florida

Double Coverage Editors Alex Briseño & Ross Burkhart

PRESENTS

DOUBLE COVERAGE

Georgia Tech

Robert Larkin Alex Briseño Wills Layton Steve Helwick

Ross Burkhart Keshav Prathivadi Donnavan Smoot

Georgia Tech

South Florida

Georgia Tech

South Florida

Editor’s Note Texas fell flat in the long-awaited revenge match against Maryland to open the season. Though many offensive and defensive questions are still on the minds of Longhorn fans, Texas will hope to bounce back in what should be a sure win against Tulsa in front of the first home crowd of the fall. ALEX BRISEÑO & ROSS BURKHART

Games to watch B Y S T E V E H E LW I C K @s_helwick

no. 17 usc Saturday, 7:30 p.m., FOX Running back Bryce Love, the reigning Heisman runner-up, struggled in his opener on The Farm last Friday night. But despite his 29-yard outing, Stanford’s offense celebrated the new potential Heisman candidate. Senior wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside torched San Diego State’s defense for 226 receiving yards and three touchdowns

no. 3 Georgia Saturday, 2:30 p.m., CBS

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SEC league play kicks off in Week Two with a matchup that has great impact on the SEC East race. Georgia, aiming to overcome its heartbreak last January, needs to topple an underrated South Carolina program that attained the 9-win mark a year ago. The Gamecocks offense rolled through Coastal Carolina

no.2 clemson Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN The College GameDay crew is accompanying the 12th Man on Saturday morning in preparation of Jimbo Fisher’s first test as an Aggie. Fisher is one of the few collegiate coaches to find success against Clemson, faring 5-3 against the Tigers while at Florida State. Clemson, on track for a

Michigan state Saturday, 9:45 p.m., ESPN What’s more thrilling than #Pac12AfterDark? Arizona State pulverized UTSA in Herm Edwards’ first game coaching at the college ranks, silencing several question marks that surrounded Edwards’ qualifications. Meanwhile, in East Lansing, Michigan State left more uncertainty, requiring a late fourth

vs.

no. 10 stanford

in a decisive victory, utilizing magnificent strength to haul in 50-50 throws from K.J. Costello. Love and Arcega-Whiteside are talented weapons, but USC’s defense managed to withstand strong performances from both in a 42-24 decision last September. The Trojans now lack Sam Darnold, so redshirt freshman quarterback JT Daniels must adjust to the big stage in his second start for the intense Pac-12 showdown.

vs.

no. 24 South Carolina

in Week One with the deadly connection of quarterback Jake Bentley and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Georgia’s marquee defense can’t afford to let the two establish an efficient passing game if it wants to pull off a significant win in Columbia, South Carolina. Head coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs intend to pull off their fourth-straight victory over their rivals north of the border.

vs.

Texas a&m

fourth-straight playoff appearance, returns a litany of stars, including Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence on a stacked defensive line. Even in its home environment of Kyle Field, Texas A&M’s offensive line must remain error free in order for the offense to function. But it is September, the month in which the Aggies own a 22–3 record since joining the SEC.

vs.

Arizona state

quarter touchdown to knock off Utah State on Friday, 38-31. The Sun Devils’ 6-foot-4-inch junior wideout N’Keal Harry, who had two touchdowns on 140 yards receiving, could cause problems for the Spartans’ pass defense that allowed 319 yards a week ago. Mark Dantonio’s team can’t afford to experience similar struggles when they travel to the desert in Week Two.

DOUBLE COVERAGE

BY STEVE H E LW I C K @s_helwick

opponents to watch D EFENS I V E TACKL E

RU N N ING BACK

SAFETY

QUARTERBAC K

Shemarr Robinson, No. 54

Shamari Brooks, No. 3

Whitfield McKinley, No. 5

Luke Skipper, No. 13

Simply put, Robinson is a load on the defensive line. One of the biggest members on Tulsa’s roster, the junior defensive tackle comes in at 6-foot-3-inches and 310 pounds. He packs a punch that troubles opposing offensive lines. During the Golden Hurricane’s week one matchup, Robinson starred, recording six tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in the winning effort. If Texas hopes to expand on its running game this weekend, it’s essential that the Longhorns’ offensive line figures out a way to effectively move Robinson off the ball.

If there’s an engine that makes the Tulsa offense move, it’s sophomore running back Shamari Brooks. Standing at 5-foot-9-inches, the Tulsa, Oklahoma, native doesn’t have the size of a prototypical three-down back but makes up for it with his strength and vision. Before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury, Brooks averaged a robust 5.8 yards per carry during an impressive freshman campaign last season. In Tulsa’s opener, Brooks lifted the Golden Hurricane offense with his 129-yard effort on the ground that also featured two touchdowns. His involvement and success in the running game will be the biggest key to Tulsa’s offense finding success against the Longhorns on Saturday.

Whitfield was one of the lone bright spots for a dreadful Tulsa defense last season. The linebacker-turned-safety led the Golden Hurricane in tackles last season, tallying 113 on his way to honorable mention honors for the American Athletic Conference. This season, the senior defensive back is being asked to do even more as a leader in the Golden Hurricane’s secondary. While you can expect Whitfield to be heavily involved in run defense against the Longhorns, don’t be surprised if Texas head coach Tom Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck decide to attack him and the Tulsa secondary through the air. Whitfield’s group ranked 111th in passing yards allowed last season in the FBS.

After splitting time as a starter in 2017, Skipper steps in as the main signal caller for the Golden Hurricane this season. While he doesn’t have the same running capabilities as last year’s starter Chad President, Skipper does give the Tulsa offense better accuracy at the quarterback position, and he’s not afraid to challenge defenses down the field. Against Central Arkansas, the redshirt sophomore displayed some of those skills, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-27 victory. Skipper will undoubtedly face a more formidable defense this week against the Longhorns, but he’s certainly capable of orchestrating a competent offense if he finds his rhythm early.

all photos copyright university of tulsa athletics, and reproduced with permission

september 7, 2018

F E A T U R E

Green’s homecoming B Y S T E V E H E LW I C K @s_helwick

ALLIE GREEN IV P R E PA R E S F O R S P E C I A L RETURN TO AUSTIN.

gathering of nearly 100,000 fans will flock to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night to get their first look at Texas’ 2018 squad. It’ll be a homecoming of sorts, as Texas diehards and players return to their home base for the first time since November. It will also be a true homecoming for Tulsa’s sophomore cornerback Allie Green IV, who is receiving the rare opportunity to play a collegiate game in his own backyard. Green grew up in the capital of the Lone Star state and attended Lyndon B. Johnson High School, situated in Johnson City — a small community in the outskirts of the city. While Green will get to showcase his talents in front his family and friends, there is another person he is dedicating Saturday’s performance to. And he won’t be in the stands. “I just wish that my high school coach Andrew Jackson was here to see me play at home, because that would have been a big thing for me too,” Green said. Jackson, a Texas high school coach for nearly three decades, tragically passed away in

December 2017 after losing a battle with cancer. In the midst of fighting the disease, Jackson managed to establish a valuable connection between Green and the Tulsa football program. “He tried his best to get me to college and get me through high school,” Green said. “He was one of the coaches that put my name out there and sent out my highlights. He’s an awesome coach, so he had a lot of connections. He definitely paved the way for me to get to school.” Jahmal Fenner, Jackson’s successor, continued to develop Green’s talent on the football field when Jackson was unable. Fenner, a former UTEP cornerback, transitioned Green from safety to corner during his junior season, the same role he now executes for the Golden Hurricane. “With football and sports at Lyndon B. Johnson, it was very competitive,” Green said. “We were all friends, so it was like a friendly competition. Me and my friends always bonded together because we always had things to do. In Austin, my life was pretty good for a teenager. I had the most fun I thought I could have in high school.” Now, one hundred of Green’s closest family and friends will at-

copyright university of tulsa athletics, and reproduced with permission Sophomore cornerback Allie Green IV will celebrate his homecoming when Tulsa faces the Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

I just feel blessed that in my second year of college, I get to go play at home with all of my family being able to come to the game.” ALLIE GREEN IV

TULSA CORNERBACK

tend DKR on Saturday to watch their home-grown talent prosper at the highest level of college football. From his family to his high school principal Ms. Henry, whom Green shares a close connection with, the Tulsa cornerback is ecstatic to reunite with

the community that shaped him. “This will definitely be a special game for me,” Green said. “I just feel blessed that in my second year of college, I get to go play at home with all of my family being able to come to the game.” On Saturday, the Tulsa cornerback returns home to a venue that seats over 100 times more people than Lyndon B. Johnson High School’s enrollment. As an Austin native, he’s already accustomed to the lively scene, having attended a Texas game as recently as the Longhorns’ clash with TCU in November 2016. “I think my adrenaline is going to be pumping when I first get out there,” Green said. “I just have to dial in and play sound football because it’s hard to stay focused when there’s 100,000 people in the stands, cannons going off, bands playing music. You just have to stay focused, and I know that now.”

T E X A S

F E A T U R E

Breckyn Hager NO. 44 LINEBACKER

hager’s golden promise BY ALEX BRISENO @alexxbriseno

katie bauer | the daily texan staff Senior linebacker Breckyn Hager flashes the ‘hook ‘em’ gesture during a loss against Maryland at FedExField.

enior defensive end Breckyn Hager will run onto the field for the final home opener of his Longhorn career Saturday. A white “C” will be stitched onto his burnt orange jersey, signifying him as one of the team captains, but it will likely be draped over by his blonde, free-flowing hair. The golden locks, which have nearly become a trademark for the defensive end, now drop past his shoulders — he hates it. But cutting it isn’t an option. During Big 12 Media Days, Hager said the situation with his hair was written a long time ago, three years to be exact. Hager made a deal with fifth year senior tight end Andrew Beck, who he had previously played with at Austin Westlake High School, that neither of them will cut their hair until Texas wins a Big 12 conference title. “I wanted something tangible like it would always remind to go after such a simple goal that I thought at the time,” Hager said during Big 12 Media Days. “Now I’m realizing, wait, it’s not that simple. To be able to see it in my hair, I’m like, alright, it’s getting longer, oh my goodness. Oh my god, how am I going to wear it? … It’s just long hair — and I do care. And I hate it.” “Do you know how many tears have soaked in this after losses?” Hager said. Beck, who was voted to be a team captain for the second consecutive season, won’t have any trouble displaying the “C” on his jersey, though. He’s cut his hair since the promise, multiple times. “The man broke the promise — it was like a week later,” Hager said. “ I was like, “Dude, did you just forget?’” As Hager competes for the best hair on the team, he is also being considered as one of the vocal leaders of this team. He will play a large role in bringing the defense back to the level it performed at last year, which is a huge leap from where he was four years ago when he didn’t have an offer from Texas late in the recruiting process. “If Texas didn’t offer, I was going to go to Baylor,” Hager said. Then he got a call from former head

coach Charlie Strong. “It was surreal,” Hager said. “I couldn’t believe anything he was saying. He told me not to tell anyone. I didn’t tell anyone because he didn’t want hype. That just made me think it wasn’t real, like why can’t I tell people?” For Hager, the offer wasn’t just an opportunity to play in his hometown, it was a chance to follow in the footsteps of his

It’s just long hair ... And I hate it.” BRECKYN HAGER TEXAS LINEBACKER

juan figueroa | daily texan file Then-junior defensive end Breckyn Hager tackles the Kansas quarterback during the Longhorns’ 42-27 victory over the Jayhawks.

father, Britt Hager. Britt, who was an All-American linebacker at Texas from 1985–1988, currently holds the records for most tackles in a season (195) and in his career (499). Breckyn has four brothers who also played football, but none of them wore a burnt orange jersey. It was a no brainer. “If you’re a kid from Westlake

playing ball, and then you have your father’s legacy here, and you have three older brothers who didn’t come here, it’s the only thing you think about in terms of where you want to go to school,” Hager said. Hager arrived at Texas as a linebacker. Midway through his junior year, he still wasn’t receiving an incredible amount playing time and he wanted to get reps at defensive end. “The biggest thing was one, when we first got here, he was not heavy enough to play against an offensive tackle,” head coach Tom Herman said. “He wasn’t strong enough and he would go three plays and needed to take himself out of the game. His stamina was awful.” Then, Texas decided to try the 6-foot3-inch, 255-pound linebacker at defensive end against then-No. 11 Oklahoma State on Oct. 21. Hager finished with three solo tackles, including two sacks, and he never looked back. “Weeks after weeks of showing that I can destroy the first team offense, they (coaching staff) asked, ‘Why can’t he go out there and destroy the other team’s offense?’” Hager said. “Once they saw that, I guess something clicked. And thank God it did because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Aside from being named a team captain, Hager serves as one of Texas’ starting defensive ends and will play a vital role for a Texas team trying to win the Big 12 title for the first time since 2009. As for the hair, Hager already has a plan set in place if they win the Big 12. He wants sophomore quarterback, and his current roommate, Sam Ehlinger, to chop off his hair on the podium after the trophy ceremony. But Hager only has one more shot at a conference title, and while he is continuing to write his story, he knows he is running out of time. “Every time I hear the UT Tower ding, my time’s running out,” Hager said last spring. “So I’ve got to bring it here, I’ve got to bring it with everything I’ve got, whether that’s in the weight room, practice, film room, I don’t care what it all is, I’m leaving it out there.”

DOUBLE COVERAGE COLUMN

B Y D A I LY T E X A N S P O R T S @texansports

Dear Texas fans, Put the bottle down. It’s going to be okay. Maybe. If you aren’t convinced quite yet, here’s the good news: First off, Tulsa comes into town this week. The Golden Hurricane, a team that went 2–10 last season, should be a solid alternative to the alcohol y’all have been downing to wash the bad taste from last week out of y’alls mouths. Secondly, and more importantly, Texas lost to Maryland in Week One — again. Key words: Week One. As crazy as it sounds, this might benefit y’all. Look at it this way: Instead of the Longhorns leading y’all into this month-long

facade of “Texas is back,” they destroyed any expectations right off the bat. If we’re being real, y’all have needed to be humbled for quite some time. This is a perfect opportunity to reevaluate your expectations. This season — as much as it was thrown around that this was the year — is truly still a rebuilding year. Y’all have to remember that this is a team that, before Herman, lost to Kansas. KANSAS. Herman has just started his second season, and let’s not forget what he said after the loss to Maryland last year: “I told our guys to never get used to this feeling, but

that if we thought that if we thought that we were going to come in here and, in nine months, sprinkle some fairy dust on this team and think we’re arrived, then we’re wrong.” If none of this makes you feel slightly better, just remember: There is literally nowhere to go but up. We hate to do this, but there is also bad news. Read at your own risk. The worst case scenario is that Herman is right after all. This season is different — it’s worse. Looking forward past Week Two, though, Texas has a favorable schedule. That is, if y’all consider three ranked opponents

in USC, TCU and Oklahoma, in addition to a road game against Kansas State, something to be enthusiastic about. If you’re being honest with yourself — and I know that’s hard for a Longhorn fan — a 2–4 start could be in play for Texas. As for last week, y’all should have known better. Remember last year? The Terrapins won three games that year after forcing y’all to throw things onto the field just one week into the season. But if you’re thinking to yourself that Texas isn’t far off from the No. 23 ranking that they were granted prior to the

season, please eliminate that thought immediately. Texas never belonged in the top-25 conversation. One last piece of good news is that this is a team that has played to its competition in recent history. We aren’t saying Texas will go 2–4. This is a team that competed with USC and Oklahoma last season, so the Longhorns could very well turn this ship around. Here’s what we are saying: Tread with caution, and put the bottle down, at least for the time being. Take it easy for the Tulsa game. Trust us. Texas football is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck.

illustration lauren ibanez

| the daily texan staff

september 7, 2018

big 12 power rankings

B Y S T E V E H E LW I C K

@s_helwick

NO.1

Oklahoma Sooners No Baker Mayfield, no problem. Just one year after qualifying for the playoff with a rookie head coach, the Sooners once again proved that no loss is too big. Kyler Murray fit seamlessly into the starting quarterback role, and complemented with a strong running game, Oklahoma dispatched a Florida Atlantic squad on a 10-game win streak, 63-14.

NO.2

TCU Horned Frogs Matched up with an inferior opponent, TCU played a flawless game last Saturday. In a 55-7 win over Southern, Gary Patterson looks to have a reliable quarterback for the future in Shawn Robinson, who finished with a 71 percent completion rate and five total touchdowns.

NO.3

West Virginia Mountaineers Senior quarterback Will Grier kicked off his 2018 Heisman campaign with an exclamation point in Charlotte, North Carolina. The gunslinger accounted for five touchdowns on 429 yards in a neutral-site stampede over Tennessee. The Mountaineers’ unblemished record could last for a while, as they don’t face TCU, Oklahoma State or Oklahoma until the final three weeks.

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NO.4

Oklahoma State Cowboys Oklahoma State Cowboys: No coach in the Big 12 consistently exceeds expectations quite like Mike Gundy. The Cowboys saw plenty of overhaul this offseason with the mass exodus of senior talent. But once again, Oklahoma State is hanging on the fringe of the AP Poll after posting 58 points on Morgan State.

NO.5

Iowa State Cyclones A weather delay postponed the Cyclones’ opener, so we have yet to see Matt Campbell’s squad after dramatic improvement in 2017. With premier junior running back David Montgomery leading the charge, Iowa State opens shop Saturday in hopes of snatching the Cy-Hawk Trophy from its hated rival Iowa.

NO.6

Texas Longhorns Another preseason ranking, another season-opening loss. Texas’ nonconference failures have been well chronicled throughout the Charlie Strong and Tom Herman eras. For the second-straight year, the Longhorns fell to Maryland despite entering the game as heavy favorites. Texas must turn the ship around, and quick, as it faces both USC and TCU later in September.

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NO.7

Texas Tech Red Raiders As usual, Texas Tech’s defense faltered in the 2018 opener. The Red Raiders yielded 47 points to Ole Miss despite a strong showing from sophomore wide receiver T.J. Vasher. Saturday should be a cakewalk though, as Texas Tech hosts Lamar.

NO.9

Kansas State Wildcats Bill Snyder’s Wildcats survived a surprise scare from South Dakota in Manhattan on Week One. Kansas State was required to claw back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit in order to stave off the upset. A win is a win, 1–0 is 1–0.

NO.8

Baylor Bears Baylor shouldn’t have to wait too long to rise back to bowl contenders. Matt Rhule’s program recovered from a 1–11 season by matching its win total after a Week One win over the FCS’s Abilene Christian. The difficulty of the schedule will crank up soon, however.

NO.10

Kansas Jayhawks Kansas lost to an FCS team — again. The Jayhawks have more FCS losses (two) in the David Beaty era than FBS victories (one).

DOUBLE COVERAGE

Longhorn lookback Devin Duvernay’s diving catch highlights Texas’ offensive performance in Week One. BY ALEX BRISENO @alexxbriseno

With 9:24 remaining in the first quarter of then-No. 23 Texas’ 34-29 loss to the unranked Maryland Terrapins, the Longhorn offense showed what could possibly be in store down the road. Sam Ehlinger dropped back as junior Devin Duvernay flew past the Terrapin coverage. Ehlinger saw Duvernay open down field and fired the ball, but the sophomore quarterback thought he might have overthrown the wide open receiver after he released the ball. “He ran like 23 miles (per) hour on that play,” Ehlinger said. “I’ve seen him do that before. When it left my hand I was like, ‘Oh God. He’s too open.’ It’s always the ones that are too easy that you’re worried about.” Duvernay is known as one of the fastest players on the team, and he showed it. He found an extra gear, laid out and completed a diving catch for a touchdown, to put Texas in position to tie the game pending the successful extra point by freshman Cameron Dicker. “It was epic,” Duvernay said. “It was

katie bauer | the daily texan staff Junior wide receiver Devin Duvernay dives for a 39-yard touchdown catch during the Longhorns’ 34-29 loss to Maryland at FedExField on Saturday.

fun. It was a big-time catch. That’s what you work all off-season for. I was just running and it was kind of out there so I just dove and tried to make a play.” Duvernay said the 39-yard touchdown is probably the best catch of his athletic career. He eventually finished with four catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. While Duvernay may have turned heads at FedExField, head coach Tom Herman has been aware of his electrifying speed for well before Saturday’s game. “I thought the deep ball touchdown to Devin was an unbelievable catch,” Herman said. “But it’s also one that we have told Sam, you know, launch that son of a gun, because that dude is really fast out there, and he did, and Devin went and tracked it down.”

september 7, 2018

heisman

watch B Y D O N N A VA N S M O O T @dsmoot3d

WILL GRIER CONTINUES HEISMAN C A M PA I G N W I T H S T RO N G P E R F O R M A N C E FOR WEST VIRGINIA.

#20 Bryce Love, running back, No. 10 Stanford Love struggled in his season debut. The preseason favorite was bundled up and limited to a dismal 29 yards on 18 carries. Despite the fact that he was held in check by San Diego State, the Cardinal still won in blowout fashion, 31-10. Love was unable to get to the second level of the defense, which was practically where he lived last season. Head coach David Shaw tried to get his star running back as involved as possible with a myriad of chances and creative formations. However, the Aztecs focused in on Love and perfectly executed their gameplan. Although he had a disappointing season opener, Love will have plenty of opportunities to earn the trophy throughout the season. It is hard for a skill position player to have a perfect season and Love’s early struggles allow for him to bounce back with a massive home game against No. 17 USC this weekend. If Love can put on a show on the national stage, the running back will be a name thrown around even more as the Heisman conversation continues.

#13 Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, No. 1 Alabama After stepping into the national championship game and orchestrating a second-half comeback for the ages, Tua Tagovailoa earned himself the starting role for the Crimson Tide. The sophomore from Hawaii opened the season as a 10/1 favorite to win the Heisman, according to Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. Many believed the hype was far too premature after only performing for one half. However, just as one half placed him into the Heisman conversation, one half of football kept him there. Tua dazzled in primetime against Louisville. He threw for 227 yards, completing 75 percent of his passes, and three touchdowns. In his short, but effective, performance Tagovailoa had a potential Heisman moment on the first drive of the season. Tua avoided the Louisville pressure, spun away from a player and back into the pocket before flinging the ball toward the endzone and right into the hands of an Alabama wide receiver. Alabama went onto win the game, 54-14. The top-ranked Crimson Tide will host Arkansas State this weekend.

#7 Will Grier, quarterback, No. 14 West Virginia Grier started the season on fire. The senior quarterback threw for 429 yards and five touchdowns in a rout of unranked Tennessee. He showed complete control of the high-powered offense that will look to be a force in the offensive-minded Big 12 conference. The Mountaineers were able to pick up right where they left off last season before Grier’s hand injury. If he is able to continue to produce these types of performances, he will not only have numbers by his name, but wins to show for it as well. Considering that West Virginia doesn’t play a team currently ranked until November, Grier will have ample opportunities to light up scoreboards across the country. The Mountaineers’ toughest matchup, a place for Grier to solidify his Heisman case, will be a Black Friday meeting against the reigning Big 12 champs, Oklahoma. Grier will have to wait for that moment and focus on putting up video game numbers in the meantime. The Mountaineers will look to remain perfect when they take on Youngstown State this week.

GAME TIME

15-minute departures on routes all over Austin

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