Buyers and Sellers After WVU’s Blowout Loss to Kansas

It was a tough outing for the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1) against the Kansas Jayhawks (3-1, 1-0), losing the conference opener by 31 points. Here are this week’s buyers and sellers following the 41-10 loss. Read more: Buyers and Sellers After WVU’s Blowout Loss to Kansas

Buyers

Oliver Straw

Listen, it is not a flashy buy whatsoever. Whenever the offense is unable to move the ball, though, a team needs a reliable punter. Following a performance against Pitt that featured Straw saving a surefire disaster in the Mountaineers’ own endzone, the Aussie came through again. 

Straw averaged 43.8 yards per punt on eight attempts, with the longest punt sailing 50 yards. He also pinned the Jayhawks inside the 20 twice. The senior probably would have done so more often if the offense had made any progress. 

Jaylen Henderson

Before anyone asks, Henderson is not taking Nicco Marchiol’s role as the starting quarterback. However, the Texas A&M transfer needs to be more involved in the rushing attack amid the abundant injuries in the RB room. 

Henderson completed two of his four passes for 16 yards, but that is not a reason to buy. Instead, look at Henderson’s numbers on the ground. 

The California native led the Mountaineers’ rushing attack, carrying the ball seven times for 79 yards. Henderson broke off a 32-yard run and was responsible for the lone WVU touchdown, a 13-yard scramble. 

Sellers

The Offensive Line

I hate to pick on the men fighting in the trenches, but the quarterback(s) have no time in the pocket whatsoever. Kansas racked up two sacks and five tackles for loss against WVU, dominating the line of scrimmage defensively. 

The line has been a weakness since day one, and it has yet to show substantial improvement. Keep an eye on the offensive line as the season continues to see if they make adjustments. 

Nicco’s Running Ability

Marchiol is still the guy… but he simply cannot run the ball. The starting quarterback managed to finish with -4 rushing yards on six attempts.

This is not the first time this year he has struggled on the ground, either. Despite late-game heroics in the Backyard Brawl, Marchiol finished the game with -4 yards on 10 attempts. 

The loss to Ohio? 11 carries for nine yards. 

Compile those stats from the three games against FBS opponents this season, and the Arizona native has netted one rushing yard on 27 attempts. Part of the blame can be placed on the offensive line, but the fact remains.

Those numbers are unacceptable. 

Time to Rebound

The “sellers” list could have been a 600-page document, but I digress. The Mountaineers were outcoached, outplayed, and outdone in every facet of the game. 

WVU is back in action against Utah at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 27th. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on 100.9 FM The Torch and its nine affiliate stations. 

Come back next week for the next edition of Buyers and Sellers, and stay up to date on WVU Athletics by checking WV Sports Nation daily.