West Virginia Mountaineers Suffer Home Loss to Baylor, Struggle to Find Consistency
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia Mountaineers faced a disappointing 49-35 defeat against Baylor, marking their first loss to the Bears in the history of their matchup. This defeat drops the Mountaineers’ home record to a concerning 2-4 for the season and adds to their overall record of 5-5 with just two games left to play. Head coach Neal Brown acknowledged the frustration among fans and players alike, stating, “They’re upset and they should be.”
The Mountaineers had chances to turn the game around, bringing the score to 35-28 before halftime and later getting multiple opportunities to tie. However, they failed to capitalize, despite moving deep into Baylor territory on several possessions. Brown lamented the missed opportunities, noting, “The game was there to win…We just didn’t get it done.”
A critical issue for West Virginia has been the lack of synergy among their offense, defense, and special teams. While the offense achieved 28 points and 337 yards in the first half, the defense allowed 35 points. In the second half, the defense improved, yielding only 14 points, but the offense struggled, only managing 7 points. Brown pointed out the disconnect, emphasizing the need for each unit to operate effectively.
Pass defense continues to be a significant concern, with the Mountaineers allowing 329 passing yards and three touchdowns. With one game left in the season against UCF, a win could secure bowl eligibility, and Brown remains focused on closing the year with a strong performance. He remarked, “We’ve got to figure out a way to not only play better but to win…That’s the goal, and our people here deserve to see wins.”
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Photo credit westvirginia.rivals.com