By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
I know, I know. It is only week one and there have been some upsets already after Thursday night with USF manhandling No. 25 Boise State, 34-7. That’s 34 unanswered points for the Bulls as they bully the Broncos, which could likely ruin any chance the Broncos had to make the College Football Playoff.
Also, Rutgers avoided a scare on Thursday night as well against Ohio. Once up 31-17 at the half, the Bobcats made a run late but came up short on the road against the Scarlet Knights, 34-31.
Ohio’s starting quarterback Parker Navarro had a stellar opening night. He threw 31 passes, completing 21 for 239 yards on three touchdowns with no interceptions.
He also led the way for the Bobcats on the ground with nine rushes for 93 yards on an average of 10.3 yards per carry. He also found the end zone on the ground.
So far, he’s tallied for four touchdowns for the Bobcats this season and will likely be the catalyst to lead the Bobcats to a potential MAC Championship game this season.
West Virginia’s new defensive coordinator Zac Alley will, however, have loads of tape to dig through and dissect ahead of the Mountaineers and Bobcats game next week.
Alley is hoping to bring his Oklahoma success to WVU where in 2024 his Sooners defense was ranked 3rd in defensive touchdowns, 5th in fumbles recovered, 10th in tackles for loss, and 11th in first-down defense, while being 19th in total defense, 23rd in rushing defense, 25th in sacks, and 30th in scoring defense. He also had strong results at Jacksonville State in 2023, where the team ranked 4th in opponent yards per rush and 9th in turnovers gained.
WVU fans need to remember that Rich Rodriguez is bringing in a staff of winners and it starts with Alley. He also coached with Rodriguez at Jacksonville State in 2022-23 and at Louisiana-Monroe in 2021.
Photo: Ohio Bobcats
