It was a great day for WVU football on Saturday when the Mountaineers knocked off 22nd-ranked Houston on the road by a final score of 45-35.
Adding his own score on the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Jordan Scruggs returned an interception 80 yards back the other way for the WVU touchdown. Coming into the 2025 season, Scruggs was a highly rated transfer in the Big 12 but had not yet had that breakout moment or game until Saturday.
In addition to his interception and return for 80 yards, Scruggs also recorded three total tackles (one solo tackle). After the game, Scruggs talked about defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s renewed focus for the WVU defense.
“We need to come down with ball,” Scruggs commented.
The motto may seem overly simple. It's also not truly new – Alley has talked a few times himself about forcing three turnovers in each practice and game being the program standard. But it's not something WVU has done consistently, but managed to do in their win next week. Now, it is something that the WVU defense will try to focus on for the remaining three games (home against Colorado, at Arizona State, and home against Texas Tech). Averaging 1.5 turnovers per game, the Mountaineer defense is tied at 14th in the country in turnovers gained (16).
Joining Scruggs, defensive back Derek Carter Jr. also recorded an interception (which he returned for 20 yards) for the Mountaineers, and Jimmori Robinson hopped on a loose ball that resulted in a fumble recovery for WVU. Long snapper Macguire Moss also had a fumble recovery on a muffed Houston punt.