There were not a lot of positives for WVU football to take away from a 41-10 loss to Kansas. Coming off an exhilarating week beating their biggest rival, WVU suffered a brutal blowout on the road. But we like to try to find something positive, so here are a couple of standout players who deserve recognition for their performance in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Offensive Standout: Jaylen Henderson
Veteran quarterback Jaylen Henderson came into the game to relieve starter Nicco Marchiol. Marchiol struggled most of the game and ended the game with a 28.3 quarterback rating according to ESPN and a PFF grade of 50.2 Henderson replaced Marchiol late in the third quarter and stayed in the game until Khalil Wilkins relieved him. The transfer from Texas A&M, Henderson, flashed his ability to be a very effective runner. He finished the game with the most carries and rushing yards for the Mountaineers, with seven carries and 79 rushing yards, and also punched in WVU’s only touchdown on a 13-yard touchdown run. During the Mountaineer’s lone scoring drive, Henderson had six carries for 77 yards, including his 13-yard touchdown run.
Coming into the WVU program from Texas A&M, Henderson did not play a snap for the Aggies in 2024. However, in 2023, Henderson appeared in five games, compiling 715 passing yards and six passing touchdowns, also adding 104 rushing yards on 41 attempts while reaching the endzone twice on the ground.
Defensive Standout: Michael Coats Jr.
Nevada transfer Michael Coats Jr., was expected to be a big addition for a WVU defense that played poorly in the backend last season. So far this season, we have not heard his name as much as some fans may have expected. Playing cornerback, that might mean a good thing, given that we are not hearing about him giving up chunk plays to opposing receivers. But during Saturday’s game against the Jayhawks, Coats Jr. recorded 40% of his tackle production on the season this far with four total tackles, and also had one pass breakup compared to just one other pass breakup through the first three games.
Before joining the Mountaineer program, Coats Jr. was named to the 2024 All-Mountain West First Team for his 2024 season. Because of his success in the Mountain West, Coats Jr. was the third-highest rated returning corner in the Big 12, according to Pro Football Focus. In his second season with Nevada, Coats Jr. recorded 41 total tackles (13 solo), four interceptions, and, most impressively, had 13 passes defensed in 2024.