West Virginia quarterback Will Grier would prefer not going down to the wire this time against Kansas State.
Grier struggled in the second half a year ago against the Wildcats’ defense, West Virginia didn’t score after halftime and was lucky to escape with a 28-23 win in Manhattan, Kansas.
After No. 12 West Virginia was forced to take last week off thanks to Hurricane Florence, Grier would like to continue the momentum he enjoyed at the start of the season when the Mountaineers (2-0) play Kansas State (2-1) in their Big 12 opener Saturday. Grier has thrown for nine touchdowns this season with one interception.
West Virginia punted on its first five possessions of the second half last year against the Wildcats. Grier needed to convert a key fourth down and West Virginia ran out the clock near the Kansas State goal line.
“I think they played harder than us,” Grier said. “That’s an emphasis this whole year and will continue to be an emphasis that we have to show up to play and play harder than the other team we’re playing against. I have to do a better job of getting us in higher percentage plays and more efficient plays, and taking what they give us.”
West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital echoed that the second half provided a lesson in how to prepare for this meeting.
Thats something that we have to be on point with this week is making sure that we have a physical edge, were taking care of the football, making sure were taking high percentage throws, being efficient with the football and pick-and-choose when we want to big-play them, he said.
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is stressing ball security as well as the Wildcats play their first road game after three home contests.
Kansas State has lost four of seven fumbles and two quarterbacks have combined to throw three interceptions. All but one of the lost fumbles was just being careless with the football, Snyder said. Thats probably a significant indication in regards to self-discipline or a capacity to focus. Thats something were working on.
West Virginia is a heavy favorite, although the teams last four meetings have been decided by a total of 13 points.
Some things to know about West Virginia and Kansas State:
ZOOMING ZUBER
Kansas States Isaiah Zuber had a career-high 144 receiving yards and two TDs last week in a 41-17 win over UTSA . In the opener against FCS South Dakota he returned a punt 85 yards for a score and caught the go-ahead touchdown pass in the 27-24 win.
Zuber has made some people look pretty silly here in the last few weeks, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said.
MOBILE QBs
