MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s offensive firepower was on full display on Saturday, as they had 624 total yards and nine touchdowns in a 65-7 thumping of Towson.
In West Virginia’s first two games of the season, quarterback JT Daniels has been as-advertised, leading the Mountaineer offense through the air. On Saturday afternoon though, it would be West Virginia’s ground game leading their offense, as they would rush for 316 yards and finish with six rushing touchdowns.
West Virginia would get on the board quickly, as Daniels would find Kaden Prather for a touchdown just 3:33 into the game to take a 7-0 lead. Towson would respond quickly though, as D’Ago Hunter returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
“Kaden Prather the last two weeks is starting to mature,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said. “He’s one of our most talented players, but he’s shown some real maturity.”
Daniels would then lead the Mountaineers on a 12-play drive capped off by a three-yard touchdown rush for Tony Mathis, putting the Mountaineers ahead 14-7.
Freshman CJ Donaldson would then score on West Virginia’s next offensive snap, going 82 yards for his first touchdown on the afternoon. Donaldson would not be done though, as he would rush for a three-yard touchdown and a one-yard touchdown to finish with three first half touchdowns.
“He’s a really good football player,” Brown said. Adding, “he plays as many plays as he can play right now.”
Donaldson’s final touchdown of the half would come with just six seconds left after a 39-yard rush from backup quarterback Garrett Greene put West Virginia in the red zone, before Donaldson’s one-yard rush on fourth down put West Virginia ahead 45-7 heading into halftime.
Donaldson and Mathis would combine for 185 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the first half, while Daniels would be 16-for-24 passing, with a touchdown pass.
The West Virginia defense would also respond in the first half after an abysmal performance against Kansas last week.
West Virginia allowed only 62 total yards in the first half, while sacking the Towson quarterback three times. On the game, the Mountaineers would allow only 180 total yards, while forcing one turnover in the victory.
“I think it was much needed for us,” defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson said of the defensive performance. “We all know what happened last week. I felt like what we did today was much needed. Much needed for our team, much needed for our defense.”
In the second half, Greene would get another chance to lead the offense, leading West Virginia 84 yards down the field, with Greene rushing for an 11-yard touchdown of his own.
Greene would finish with 45 yards passing, and 59 yards rushing to go along with his one touchdown.
Will Crowder would be the next quarterback to get a chance for West Virginia, and he would keep the offensive momentum going. Crowder would record his first collegiate touchdown as he led Mountaineers 68 yards down the field, finding Jeremiah Aaron on a five-yard pass.
Freshman Nicco Marchiol would repeat exactly what the previous three quarterbacks did for the Mountaineers. Marchiol would take West Virginia’s offense 58 yards in 2:40, as Preston Fox would be on the receiving end of a 26-yard pass from Marchiol in the back of the end zone, putting the Mountaineers ahead 65-7.
“He’s been getting a lot better,” Brown said of Marchiol. “That was a great throw to the back of the end zone for a touchdown.”
The West Virginia defense would close out the game, keeping Towson out of the end zone on their final drive to end the game.
The Mountaineers will return on a short week, facing Virginia Tech on Thursday.
“Good win,” Brown said. “Got a trophy game on Thursday night.”
Photo by Aaron Parker
