By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia Mountaineers’ 31-24 overtime triumph over the Pittsburgh Panthers in the 108th Backyard Brawl was a testament to defensive grit amid offensive inconsistency.
Facing a Pitt offense that had averaged 53 points through its first two games, WVU’s defense bent but rarely broke, forcing crucial turnovers and making game-sealing stops. After allowing a 21-point run by the Panthers in the second half, the Mountaineers’ unit regrouped to force overtime and secure the win.
Here are three pivotal defensive takeaways from the victory.
Resilient Run Defense Stuffs Pitt Late, Seals Overtime Victory
Pitt’s ground game was expected to test WVU’s front seven, but the Mountaineers’ run defense stepped up in crunch time, allowing just 46 rushing yards and stuffing short-yardage situations to force overtime.
The West Virginia defense held Pitt to an average of just 1.4 yards per carry.
Secondary’s Ball-Hawking Turnovers, Led by Darrian Lewis, Swing Momentum
Under Zac Alley’s direction, WVU’s secondary transformed potential disaster into opportunity with an interception that kept the Panthers at bay. Transfer safety Darrian Lewis, a redshirt senior who joined the Mountaineers from Akron in the offseason, emerged as the defensive MVP with his pick.
Lewis’ interception, which he returned just enough to flip the field, came at a pivotal moment with WVU leading 7-0 and Pitt threatening to take control inside the 10-yard line. His pick prevented a go-ahead touchdown and preserved WVU’s slim margin, marking his first interception as a Mountaineer and extending the team’s turnover-forcing streak.
Veteran Leadership from Reid Carrico Bolsters Run Defense in Crunch Time
Despite entering the game day-to-day with a nagging injury, Reid Carrico’s presence galvanized WVU’s run defense, which allowed just 46 total rushing yards and stuffed short-yardage situations to force overtime.
Carrico recorded six tackles and.5 sacks in the game.
