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West Virginia run game makes a statement against Oklahoma State

By Troy Van Camp

Oct 5, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) scrambles in the backfield against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) scrambles in the backfield against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images
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Both the West Virginia Mountaineers and Oklahoma State Cowboys entered their matchup on Saturday afternoon looking to secure a pivotal win. After two consecutive losses to begin conference play (for the first time since 2005), OSU was desperate to right the ship. However, it was the Mountaineers who picked up a big road win in conference play and remain unbeaten in the Big 12, improving to 2-0 for the second-consecutive season for the first time since 2008-09. 

FINAL SCORE:

wvuosu. 14. 465. Final. 38. 469

With a win in blowout fashion, two things were clear: West Virginia looked sharp on both sides of the football, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys did not.

West Virginia’s rushing attack proved to be the difference-maker from start to finish

Coming into the matchup, Oklahoma State had concerns on both sides of the ball but their main defensive concern resided in their inability to stop the run. West Virginia’s normally potent running attack entered the matchups with aspirations of continuing the trend for the Cowboy defense. 

In the 22-19 loss against Utah, OSU gave up 250 rushing yards on 50 carries. Utah QB Cam Rising did not play in the game. 

Last week on the road against Kansas State, OSU lost 42-20. Kansas State compiled 300 rushing yards on 34 carries. 

The winning strategy against the Cowboys was clear, and their matchup with WVU was much of the same as in previous weeks. WVU had their best rushing performance of the 2024 season thus far.

West Virginia finished the game with 65 total carries, their most in a game since the 2006 Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. They tallied an impressive 389 yards rushing, and tallied 4-of-5 total team touchdowns on the ground

"We won the rushing game big," WVU head coach Neal Brown told reporters after the game. "We have not ran the ball up until today like I think how we're capable of, and it's really a team approach...to come in here and run for 389 is special. This will be something we remember."

Jahiem White led the way with 158 yards and 1 touchdown on 19 carries, while Garrett Greene added 86 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries and CJ Donaldson Jr. contributed 77 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries. Relieving Greene during a short break dealing with an injury, backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol proved a formidable runner and added to the ground attack with 46 yards on 7 carries.

A conference road win with such a dominant rushing performance builds momentum for WVU and delivers a message to the Big 12 as the Mountaineers are poised to return home for a big-time primetime matchup next Saturday night in Morgantown against the No.16 Iowa State Cyclones who will enter undefeated if they maintain a fourth quarter three-score lead over Baylor tonight.

WVU has proved to be at their most dangerous over the past two seasons when it's run game is cranking out big yardage and getting the quarterback involved. They will need to try to keep that trend going next week.

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