The West Virginia Mountaineers football team has shown signs of significant improvement in their secondary unit, a fact that safety Jaheem Joseph believes is the result of trust, growth, and constant effort.
After struggling to force turnovers in the first four games of the season, the Mountaineers’ secondary turned a corner in their latest matchup vs. Oklahoma State, recording two interceptions. Joseph played a vital role in that transformation.
Joseph, who had one of the two interceptions in the recent game against Oklahoma State, acknowledged the relief of getting the first pick of his season.
“You just have to get the first one going,” Joseph said when asked about his recent performance. “We are going to keep working to keep them going.”
The improvement of the secondary has been noticeable in recent games, something Joseph credits to building chemistry with his teammates.
“You’ve got to get used to playing with new people. It’s a constant growth and a constant strive for improvement,” Joseph said.
When asked what has changed for the Mountaineers’ secondary, Joseph emphasized the importance of trust among the players.
“It’s just more trust. When you build trust with each other, you understand. I know for a fact that I can depend on him,” Joseph said, referencing his teammates. “He’s going to be in the spot where he needs to be.”
The defense’s newfound confidence in playing the ball in the air has also been a critical key factor in their recent success. Joseph cited a message from defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley that has resonated with the unit: “Just go out there and play fast.”
With that mentality, Joseph and the West Virginia secondary are looking to build on their recent momentum with a huge Big 12 matchup vs No. 11-ranked Iowa State team on Saturday night.
