The Mountaineers (1-0) picked up a solid opening game victory over Coastal Carolina, 31-0. New WVU QB Geno Smith was ready to take the field today after a summer full of predictions and talk, Smith was ready to finally take his first snap.
Smith started strong in the first quarter going five for six with 35 yards and a touchdown, but that was the only touchdown the Mountaineers put on the board in the first half.
West Virginia looked sharp on its first drive of the season, with Smith peppering passes right on target as he went five for five on his first drive including that TD to J.D Woods, the sophomore from Naples, Fla.
It was Woods' first catch of the game and the first catch of his career and it was a touchdown which was a treat for the receiver as he spoke about the moment after the game.
"I [had] to go to my right spot and I hoped to get the ball and when I saw Geno release it, it was all cheers and all smiles, " Smith said.
The drive took 18 plays and ran eight minutes off the clock and got WVU fans on their feet.
After that score, the Chanticleers picked up their play defensively and forced two consecutive three and outs.
On the third drive, the Mountaineers were able to drive the ball to the Coastal Carolina's four yard line and that's where the drive stalled. Three straight run plays to Noel Devine went nowhere and Tyler Bitancurt came on to kick a chip shot of a field goal from 21 yards out to give the Mountaineers a 10-0 lead.The Mountaineers had another chance to score a touchdown in the first half when Tavon Austin caught a pass at Coastal Carolina's 15 yard line and as he raced towards the right corner of the end zone, Austin lost control of the football and it bounced through the end zone to force a touch back.
The next drive by Coastal Carolina resulted in a punt and what happened next could have been a game changer for the Chanticleers.
Dominique Davenport picked off the Geno Smith pass and took the ball all the way down to the West Virginia 21 yard line, but Coastal Carolina gave it right back when Brandon Hogan intercepted the next pass thrown by Coastal Carolina QB Zach MacDowall.
Smith talked about responding to throwing his first interception of the season following the game.
"You try to stay away from mistakes and I think the harder you try to not make mistakes, you then make a mistake," said Smith. You just got to get over it."
"We told our guys coming into this football game that this will be the best team we face all year," said Bennett. "We won't face anybody this good all year."
After a fumble on the opening kickoff by Coastal Carolina, the Mountaineers capitalized on the crucial error by scoring a touchdown on drive that took only three plays. Jock Sanders caught his first TD pass of the season and it was Smith's second on the day and that really took the air out of the Chanticleers sails.
The Mountaineers were effective all day long, especially on third down going 9-17 and they also cut down on penalties only picking up three on the day.
With the 31-0 shutout it's the first time the West Virginia defense has pitched a shutout since 2005 when they blanked Cincinnati and it's the first time they've done it in a opener since 1996 when they silenced the Pittsburgh Panthers 34-0.
Brandon Hogan talked about how the defense felt about getting a shutout to begin the season.
"It lets us know we're capable of doing a lot and can shut people out", Hogan said.
Noel Devine started off the season on the right foot as he had an 100 yard day on the ground. Devine had 111 yards on 23 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with a touchdown.
West Virginia won its seventh straight season opener and are now looking forward to in-state rival Marshall next on the schedule in the Friends of Coal Bowl next Friday night.
Photos Courtesy All Pro Photography Dale Sparks
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