West Virginia University’s football team suffered a third consecutive setback this past weekend. The 52 to 31 loss to Arizona was in front of the home fans and it evened the Mountaineers’ record at 3-3.
WVU is in search of its first Big 12 win and a strong finish to become bowl eligible. In order to accomplish either (or both, preferably) of these tasks, the Mountaineers need to find some answers on the defensive side of the ball. In conference play against Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and the Wildcats, they are allowing 46 points per contest.
This week, Cincinnati comes to town in a “get right” game that could put them back on track. The Bearcats come to Mo-town, then WVU heads to winless Texas Christian University. Sounds like a chance to garner some Mountaineer momentum.
Speaking of momentum, Shinnston native Mike Kellar is working his magic in Buckhannon. Kellar inherited a program that hadn’t won a game since October of 2022. This past Saturday, his West Virginia Wesleyan University team defeated Fairmont State University 34 to 16 to move to 3-4 on the campaign.
The Bobcats are 2-2 in Mountain East Conference play and in the mix for a conference title. This weekend, they travel to West Liberty and in three weeks, the University of Charleston comes to Buckhannon. The Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles are the last two undefeated teams in the conference.
Kellar has done an amazing job and this turnaround has been epic. He also has the help of a tremendous offensive coordinator, fellow Shinnston native Jeremy Harmer. This team is fun to watch and with a chance to go from worst to first, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to catch them in action. The Bobcats host Concord on Oct. 24 and UC on Oct. 31. Both games are set to kick off at 1 p.m.
Lincoln went into its lock-up with Robert C. Byrd looking to keep its momentum going. The Cougars have improved each week and the battle with the Flying Eagles would be a measuring stick game. The result shows that veteran mentor Rob Hawkins needs a bigger stick after his team jumped out to a 21 to nothing first half lead and dominated the line of scrimmage en route to a 21 to 13 victory.
The playcalling was perfect and quarterback Bear Saab did not appear to be touched in the first half. Saab went deep to Colton Edwards on a 68-yard pass play for the game’s first score. It seemed to loosen up RCB’s defense and Conner Rice capitalized with key pickups all night. Rice would score the second Cougar touchdown on a five-yard run in the second quarter. Saab would add a rushing touchdown from four yards out to push the Lincoln lead to 21 to 0.
The Flying Eagles found pay dirt late in the second period when Isiah Heflin found Deegan Barnett on a 24-yard pass play. The two point conversion failed. Heflin would score on a one yard plunge in the fourth frame to make it a one possession game with just under six minutes remaining in regulation.
RCB would force a three and out, but a perfect punt from Edwards pinned the home team inside the one yard line. The Flying Eagles would move the ball, but a costly penalty coupled with more tenacious Cougar defense forced a pivotal fourth and seven.
RCB decided to go with the deep ball and Cade Mooney would come away with the interception to seal the deal for Lincoln. Rice had 144 yards on 33 carries for the Cougars while Saab was five of 14 for 89 yards. Heflin paced the Flying Eagles with 153 yards in the air and 85 yards on the ground.
Lincoln has won two in a row and four of the last six in the series.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!