West Virginia football has looked much better offensively in the past two games, particularly in an upset win over the Houston Cougars last weekend. But the Mountaineers have still struggled for the most part to move the ball and find dynamic weapons on offense this season. This weekend might prove a chance for a current Mountaineer to break out on the offensive side of the ball and help provide a bruising force in the rushing attack against the Colorado Buffaloes – and it might not be a name you’d expect.
In recent weeks, head coach Rich Rodriguez has discussed adding linebacker Curtis Jones Jr. into the running back rotation. That’s right, a linebacker. Jones has seen plenty of action on the defensive side of the ball this season, and has racked up 22 tackles and two pass breakups for WVU. But with the Mountaineers missing their big man running back Tye Edwards due to injury for the season, and the depth in the room limited, they could use someone like Jones running the ball.
Why is that? Well, in addition to Jones’ 6-foot-4, 226-pound frame, he was also a running back in high school at Cabell Midland (WV) who accumulated 3,346 yards and 46 touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons, for which he earned two-time all-state honors. While he was recruited more so for his defensive prowess, he could prove a major weapon in the backfield with WVU if needed.
And with Thursday night’s player availability report, it just so happens that two of the four WVU running backs who have consistently been healthy and in the rotation – Clay Ash and Tyler Jacklich – likely won’t suit up on Saturday. Jacklich is out for certain, and Ash was listed as doubtful on Thursday night. With just Diore Hubbard and Cyncir Bowers to run the ball, and Bowers having already spent a portion of the season injured already, the Mountaineers could end up playing Jones in the backfield out of necessity.