From WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez to defensive coordinator Zac Alley to WVU defensive players to Mountaineers fans around the state, almost everyone knew that stopping Ohio’s starting quarterback Parker Navarro would be a key in the game against the Bobcats.
Coming into the matchup against the Ohio Bobcats, quarterback Navarro was a big focal point for Rodriguez and Alley to game plan for. Navarro is one of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, and the former UCF quarterback and reigning MAC Champion passer ended up showing Mountaineer fans just why he has such a formidable reputation in Ohio's 17-10 win over the Mountaineers on Saturday.
It was well known to many WVU fans that Navarro was going to potentially be an issue for WVU to contain him in the pocket on his drop-backs. Navarro is an excellent runner and does a great job of escaping the pocket and making the correct play, whether it be with his legs or his arm.
The keys for the WVU v Ohio game will be 1)containing Navarro. He’s an excellent runner. But when Navarro is contained- he can struggle to win games with his arm 2)attacking the front 6/7 in the run game. OU lost so much up front to the portal #WVU #WVUFootball @WVUfootball
— Dylan Pauley (@DylanPauley22) August 28, 2025
WVU's Defense Looked Solid, But Couldn't Get To Navarro
Reviewing the box score from Saturday’s game, Navarro ended the game as the leading passer and rusher for both teams. Navarro finished 22-for-31 passing with 247 yards and one touchdown, and added 87 rushing yards on 18 carries. A few of those carries came from Navarro scrambling in the pocket before taking off and getting positive yards with his legs on designed pass plays.
The defensive line for WVU struggled the entire game to keep him in the pocket and prevent him from escaping and making a play on the ground. But in the first half, it really was a tale of Navarro using his legs to convert big plays. In the second half, the WVU defense did a better job of preventing Navarro from escaping the pocket and taking off on the ground, but the damage was already done, and the Mountaineer offense failed to do its job.
Chase Hendricks catches a 31-yard pass from Parker Navarro in the third quarter as Ohio upset West Virginia 17-10 at Peden Stadium in Athens.#OUohyeah
— Rockford Maverick (@RockfordMav) September 7, 2025
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It's hard to place all of the blame on the WVU defense when the offense only scored 10 points and the defense forced three turnovers. Navarro finished with three interceptions, although one was on a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and another was on a fourth down when Navarro was scrambling and had to get rid of the ball to prevent a turnover on downs. Safety Darrian Lewis had the other interception when he broke on a Navarro pass that was intended to be a short completion. But all those turnovers still weren't enough to make up for a stagnant offense.
Going into the game, containing Navarro on the ground had to be a key message emphasized in the week leading up to the game. But the Mountaineer defense failed to keep Navarro in check, especially on the ground, and it ended up playing a big role in costing the Mountaineers.
Now, the WVU defense will turn its attention to Eli Holstein, the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh, and the rest of the Pittsburgh offense. WVU will host Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Saturday, September 6, with game time set for 3:30 PM EST.