It was another disappointing loss on Saturday, as the team fell to Arizona State (7-3) by a final score of 25-23. A couple of bright spots on offense and defense give a little bit of a positive light in a dark loss.
Offensive Impact Player: Jeff Weimer
As a senior transferring to WVU from Idaho State in the Big Sky in the FCS level, wide receiver Jeff Weimer was a pickup that many WVU fans looked at as a depth addition to the roster. Not many expected the Idaho State transfer to become one of the leading targeted receivers in the WVU passing offense. With top receiver Jaden Bray missing most of the season with an injury and an up-and-down season for Cam Vaughn, in steps Weimer to become a trusted source for the true freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr.
Weimer recorded 3 catches for 90 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown catch. On the season, the senior wide receiver has 15 catches for 306 yards (20.6 yards per catch) and two touchdowns.
Defensive Impact Player: Reid Carrico
The linebackers might be the most impressive position group on the WVU defense this season. Between green-dot play caller and Colorado State transfer Chase Wilson and senior linebacker and former Ohio State Buckeye Reid Carrico, the starting linebackers have been a bright spot on the WVU defense. In his next-to-last game as a Mountaineer, Carrico finished Saturday’s game against Arizona State with eight total tackles (six solo tackles) and one tackle for loss.
In his senior season, Carrico has racked up 58 tackles (34 solo tackles), 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, and one pass breakup.
Losing a heartbreaking loss where WVU was 11.5-point underdogs, the play of Weimer and Carrico were bright spots to build for the last game of the season, a home game against Texas Tech, who has a good chance of making the Big 12 Championship.