Preparing for Saturday’s game and the 2024 season, West Virginia offensive coordinator Chad Scott defined what he thinks the Mountaineers’ offensive identity is.
“We start up front with the offensive line. I mean we’re a physical, tough football team that’s going to run the football and go use the run action to set up shots down the football field. And allow our quarterback to do a phenomenal job seeing it and making throws and extending football plays that’s who we are,” Scott said.
West Virginia rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in 2023. Finishing third in FBS in rushing yards per game and first among power-five teams. Running Backs CJ Donaldson and Jahiem White, each rushed for over 750 yards, while quarterback Garrett Greene was not far behind. Greene finished with the most rushing touchdowns with 13, followed by Donaldson with 11 and White with four.
Scott talked about Greene and how he helps define the offense’s identity. He said Greene has matured and continued to develop his abilities over the last year.
“(I tell him) Garrett, be Garrett, and that’s just for us, period. We gotta be who we are you know. Offensively, we gotta be who we are. He got to be who he is, and us coaches understand that,” Scott said of Greene. “Now, he’s matured over the past year, and he’s grown a lot. So, you know he has a respectful understanding of what he can do and what he can’t do. And you know how he should and how he should not be. So, but otherwise, we just let him be him.”
Scott is one of many coaches who wants Greene to continue to be himself and play his game. Other staff members, such as quarterback coach Tyler Allen, want Greene to play ‘free.’ While it starts up front with the offensive line, as Scott said, how Greene performs could also be the deciding factor in WVU’s offensive success. However, the staff doesn’t want him to play conservatively and wants him to stick to his brand of football.
The Mountaineers will face a tough task to open their season in No. 8 Penn State. Kickoff is set for Noon EST and will be televised on FOX.
