2018 West Virginia Mountaineers football team


The 2018 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mountaineers played their home games at the Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, in Morgantown, West Virginia, and compete in the Big 12 Conference. They were led by eighth-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Previous season

The Mountaineers finished the 2017 season 7–6, 5–4 in Big 12 play to finish in a four-way tie for fourth place. They were invited to the Heart of Dallas Bowl where they lost to Utah.

Preseason

First team All-Americans

Quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver David Sills were named to numerous preseason All-America teams by various media outlets.

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released
Chuck Bednarik AwardDavid Long Jr.LBJR
Maxwell AwardWill GrierQBSR
Maxwell AwardDavid SillsWRSR
Davey O'Brien AwardWill GrierQBSR
Fred Biletnikoff AwardGary Jennings Jr.WRSR
Fred Biletnikoff AwardDavid SillsWRSR
Jim Thorpe AwardDravon Askew-HenrySSR
Bronko Nagurski TrophyDravon Askew-HenrySSR
Bronko Nagurski TrophyDavid LongLBJR
Outland TrophyYodny CajusteOLSR
Paul Hornung AwardMarcus SimmsWR/KRJR
Wuerffel TrophyWill GrierQBSR
Walter Camp AwardWill GrierQBSR
Walter Camp AwardDavid SillsWRSR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardWill GrierQBSR
Manning AwardWill GrierQBSR

Big 12 media poll

The Big 12 media poll was released on July 12, 2018 with the Mountaineers predicted to finish in second place.
Media poll

Schedule

Coaching staff

Roster

Position key
BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDB
Defensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndE
FullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerK
Kickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLB
Long snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQB
Running backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR

Game summaries

vs. Tennessee

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaTennessee
First downs2619
Total yards547301
Rushing yards118129
Passing yards429172
Turnovers10
Time of possession27:3732:23

Youngstown State

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaYoungstown State
First downs2919
Total yards625293
Rushing yards289136
Passing yards336157
Turnovers11
Time of possession29:1530:45

Kansas State

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaKansas State
First downs2017
Total yards464318
Rushing yards108136
Passing yards356157
Turnovers30
Time of possession26:3733:23

West Virginia had originally planned to have a game the previous week against North Carolina State, but it was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. The team and coaches began preparations against Kansas State early. Mountaineer Coach Dana Holgorsen said, "Kansas State's a tough outfit that we've got to prepare for."
Both teams started conference play with this game. Kansas State entered the game with a record of 2-1 where West Virginia had already secured victories against Tennessee and Youngstown State." This game is the ninth meeting between the two teams with the Wildcats holding a 5-3 overall lead. The teams have split the four games played at West Virginia.
West Virginia managed to take control of the game mid-way through the second quarter after Kansas State failed to convert on fourth down. West Virginia ended ahead at the half 21-0. Kansas State managed control the ball more on offense but it wasn't enough, as West Virginia achieved 464 total yards compared to Kansas State's 318. Although West Virginia had four turnovers to Kansas State's one, the Wildcats lost 69 yards on 8 penalties compared to the Mountaineer's 35 yards on 3 penalties. West Virginia was 8–12 on third down conversions compared to Kansas State's 3–14.
In the second half of play, Kansas State was successful with two field goals and additional scores by the Mountaineers put the game to a conclusion of West Virginia's victory 35-6.

at Texas Tech

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaTexas Tech
First downs2628
Total yards489463
Rushing yards119168
Passing yards370295
Turnovers03
Time of possession30:2629:34

Kansas

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaKansas
First downs2916
Total yards509286
Rushing yards17780
Passing yards332206
Turnovers32
Time of possession34:1125:49

at Iowa State

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaIowa State
First downs925
Total yards152498
Rushing yards52244
Passing yards100254
Turnovers11
Time of possession22:3937:21

Baylor

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaBaylor
First downs2217
Total yards568287
Rushing yards17282
Passing yards396205
Turnovers04
Time of possession28:0231:50

at Texas

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaTexas
First downs2828
Total yards578520
Rushing yards232166
Passing yards346354
Turnovers01
Time of possession26:0034:00

TCU

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaTCU
First downs2612
Total yards535222
Rushing yards164-7
Passing yards371229
Turnovers22
Time of possession30:1829:42

at Oklahoma State

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaOklahoma State
First downs2535
Total yards553604
Rushing yards189266
Passing yards364338
Turnovers14
Time of possession29:4530:15

Oklahoma

Statistics
StatisticsWest VirginiaOklahoma
First downs3325
Total yards704668
Rushing yards165304
Passing yards539364
Turnovers22
Time of possession31:5328:07

vs. Syracuse (Camping World Bowl)

Rankings

Players drafted into the NFL

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
3100Will GrierQBCarolina Panthers
3101Yodny CajusteOTNew England Patriots
4120Gary Jennings Jr.WRSeattle Seahawks
4121Trevon WescoTENew York Jets
6188David Long Jr.LBTennessee Titans