When fans look back on the 2023 West Virginia university football season, it’s likely they’ll remember the Backyard Brawl win over Pitt, the faulty Big 12 preseason poll, and the Mountaineers’ final two home games of the season.
WVU took care of business against BYU two weeks ago in Morgantown, and that energy replicated itself Saturday in a 42-21 win over Cincinnati on Senior Day.
The Mountaineers outscored BYU and Cincinnati 79-28 to close out its 2023 home schedule.
Though there was a spotlight on WVU’s 12 seniors – all of whom were recognized pregame – junior quarterback Garrett Greene stole the show for his best performance in a Mountaineer uniform.
Greene exploded for 210 passing yards (12-of-19 passing with an interception), 154 rushing yards and four total touchdowns for his best performance in a Mountaineer uniform.
Saturday was the first time a WVU quarterback threw for over 200 yards and rushed for over 150 yards in one game. It was only the fifth time a Mountaineer QB accomplished over 200 yards passing with over 100 yards rushing.
The game also marked the first time a WVU player recorded multiple three-touchdown games on the ground in a season since Steve Slaton accomplished the feat in 2007 (Rutgers, Maryland).
In typical Neal Brown fashion, WVU won the coin toss and opted to receive the opening kickoff. On the first play from scrimmage, Greene unloaded for a 28-yard connection with freshman receiver Traylon Ray.
The Mountaineers’ opening drive may have stalled and ended in a miss field goal, but it also foreshadowed a day of offensive success to come. WVU scored touchdowns on six of its 10 drives Saturday afternoon.
