PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Will Grier, a fifth-year senior and Heisman Trophy contender, has completed 137 of his 192 passes (71.4 percent) for 1,919 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season. He has found 12 different receivers and recorded 14 300-yard passing performances and 15 multiple-touchdown games during his WVU career. Grier is tied for second nationally in touchdown passes per game (3.7). He ranks No. 3 nationally in passing touchdowns (22), No. 4 in passing efficiency (185.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.9), No. 5 in points responsible for per game (22.0), No. 6 in points responsible for, No. 7 in passing yards per game (319.8) and completion percentage (.714), No. 9 in passing yards (1,919), No. 12 in total offense (309.8) and No. 20 in passing yards per completion (14.0)
–RB Kennedy McKoy carried nine times for 55 yards in the loss to Iowa State and caught two passes for 28 yards. McKoy has had his share of carries over his first two years, and now has 57 totes for 343 yards and two touchdowns, and six catches for 64 more and a TD over West Virginia’s first six games.
–DE Ezekiel Rose recorded an interception in the win against Kansas after having two tackles, including one for a loss, against Tennessee and added a season-high four tackles in the loss at Iowa State.
–S Kenny Robinson had eight stops in the loss to Iowa State and now has 37 tackles on the season. Stats aren’t the best measure for a college defensive back, but Robinson shows up when you watch the tape, too, routinely making decisive tackles with textbook technique. Robinson sets himself apart with his ability to make plays and is not afraid to mix it up in the run game as well.
SERIES HISTORY: West Virginia leads Baylor 4-2 including a 2-0 mark in Morgantown. The home team had won all five games in the series until Baylor dropped a 38-36 game at McLane Stadium in 2017.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Was it good to have a bye week on the heels of a win or on the heels of a loss? I don’t know. This one has just been on the schedule for quite some time, so we knew how we were going to approach it. I do think we got a few things figured out in the pass game.” — West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen
