In the second half, both Baylor and West Virginia were looking for their defense to make a play.
In a game which featured 1,090 total yards of combined offense, it was the West Virginia special team’s unit who blocked a Baylor extra-point attempt which proved to be the difference.
“I told our guys all week we were going to make a play on special teams,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said. “Your field goal block team says a lot about your football team.”
With 13:39 to play in the fourth quarter, Baylor scored a go-ahead touchdown to lead 37-31. On what usually is a guarantee in the extra-point attempt, Dante Stills was able to block the kick, with Jacolby Spells returning the block 87 yards to put West Virginia down 37-33.
That three-point swing ended up being the decider in West Virginia’s 43-40 win over Baylor on Thursday night in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“We worked hard for what we wanted and that’s why we came out with a win,” West Virginia’s Jasir Cox who had two fumble recoveries said.
Tony Mathis scored on a 34-yard rush, to put West Virginia ahead 40-37 with 7:06 remaining in the game and with Baylor was down to their backup quarterback Kyron Drones, they were searching for an answer.
Drones would enter and lead the Bears to consecutive touchdown drives, giving Baylor the opportunity to take the lead late. Drones led the Bears to the West Virginia 19 yard line, before Aubrey Burks intercepted Drones with 3:19 to play.
The Baylor defense would match Burks though, intercepting West Virginia quarterback JT Daniels deep in West Virginia territory and giving Drones one last shot. Drones would be bailed out as Baylor’s kicker John Mayers made a 44-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining.
The Mountaineers would turn to Tony Mathis to try and win the game. After Kaden Prather made a contested catch for 12 yards, Mathis rushed for 9 yards, 37 yards, and 6 yards on three consecutive runs to get to the Baylor two yard line.
“I thought Tony Mathis was decisive,” Brown said.
Three plays later, Casey Legg would drill a 22-yard field goal to put West Virginia ahead with 33 seconds to play.
“I felt really confident,” Legg said. “On the kick, I was glad it was short. That made it easier for me.”
Drones would get one more chance, but could not get anything going on Baylor’s final drive.
Coming into Thursday, West Virginia had forced only three turnovers all season. Against Baylor the Mountaineer defense forced three turnovers, and blocked the crucial extra-point.
“Defensively, we gave up some yardage, we gave up some plays,” Brown said. “We had some guys come in and make plays and we forced turnovers.”
The Mountaineers allowed Baylor to compile 590 yards of total offense, including allowing Baylor to pass for 421 yards.
In the first half, Baylor looked to be pulling away. Baylor led 17-10 and were driving down the field. Shapen would then try and scramble outside the pocket, but West Virginia would force a fumble and Cox returned it 65 yards to tie the game.
“I think it was just our time. We keep working on it at practice trying to get turnovers, fumble recoveries… and tonight it happened,” Cox said. “It was more so a routine play for me.”
Against the Big 12’s second-best rushing defense, Mathis would rush for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while Justin Johnson would add 48 yards and a touchdown as well on the ground.
“[The coaches] helped me all bye week just telling me be decisive because I’m a better runner when I’m decisive,” Mathis said. “The wideouts did a phenomenal job tonight blocking.”
Photo by Aaron Parker
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