MORGANTOWN – When Dana Holgorsen arrived at West Virginia University five years ago, he brought with him the reputation as an offensive gunslinger.
He was a disciple of Mike Leach and Hal Mumme, stressing an Air Raid passing attack. The Mountaineers quickly took on Holgorsen’s pass first, ask questions later mentality.
In his first season as WVU head coach, he guided his team to an Orange Bowl berth, dropping 70 points on Clemson. In that inaugural year, the Mountaineers averaged 346 passing yards per game and just 122 rushing.
Year two saw more of the same, as the Mountaineers threw for 330 per game while running for 171. That trend continued through last year when WVU passed more than 4,000 yards.
That philosophy is changing, however, and the wins are following.
WVU found itself sitting at a disappointing 3-4 just a month ago. However, four successive and impressive victories have re-energized the Mountaineer Nation while making the ‘Eers bowl eligible.
The grid renaissance is due, in no small measure, to WVU’s ability and willingness to run the football. With one game remaining at Kansas State, the team’s offensive stats have undergone a role reversal.
So far this season, WVU has passed for 2,456 yards while rushing for 2,657. That is quite a turnaround from Holgorsen’s maiden voyage in Morgantown.
The Mountaineers rank third in the Big 12 in team rushing and eighth in passing. Moreover, WVU’s Wendell Smallwood is in the hunt for conference rushing honors with 1,306 infantry stripes.
The exclamation point on WVU’s running exploits came two weeks ago in a rout of Kansas, as three Mountaineer rushers surpassed the 100-yard mark.
WVU’s transformation into a ground-and-pound machine can be linked to Ron Crook. He joined Holgorsen’s staff in 2013, bringing with him a resume packed with two decades of coaching experience and ground-game excellence.
The West Liberty University product came to WVU fresh off an impressive two-year stint as offensive line coach at Stanford. He molded the Cardinal offense into a smash-mouth group, winning 23 of 27 games, including the 2012 PAC 12 championship. He developed four all-conference performers in just two seasons in Palo Alto.
Crook played his high school ball at Parkersburg South. After his playing days ended at West Liberty (where he was graduated from in 1991), he served as the Hilltoppers’ offensive line coach for three seasons.
His West Liberty tenure served as a springboard for stints at the University of Cincinnati, Clarion and Glenville before returning to his alma mater, serving as the Hilltoppers’ offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, helping the Black & Gold to the 2000 WVIAC title.
Crook’s second stay with WLU propelled him to an assistant’s job at Illinois followed by an eight-year gig as Harvard’s offensive line coach. He tutored eight all-Ivy league players and one All-American with the Crimson. His expert work at Harvard led to his hiring at Stanford.
Crook’s offensive line will have some OVAC flavor next season. Union Local product Colton McKivitz is a redshirt frosh for the Mountaineers. He has drawn positive reviews from Holgorsen for his scout team work.
McKivitz will be joined next year by Meadowbrook’s Josh Sills. He is a 6-6, 315-pound WVU verbal commitment.
BUBBA’S BITS
Johnny Manziel’s days in Cleveland are winding down quickly. His latest social event will ultimately lead to his exile from the Browns. He will likely land a roster spot with another NFL club, but the former Heisman Trophy winner doesn’t have the mental capacity to be a successful NFL quarterback.
Ohio State treated its fans Saturday to the team that they expected to see all season long. The Buckeyes played with a chip on their collective shoulders, pounding “That Team Up North” to a tune of 42-13. The Buckeyes displayed the talent of a playoff team but will not get the chance. The four berths will likely go to Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and the winner of the Michigan State-Iowa Big Ten Championship Game.
Emporia State continues to raise eyebrows in the NCAA Division II football playoffs. One week after knocking off last year’s runnerup in Minnesota State, the Hornets took to the road again and defeated Henderson State, 29-3. Next up for Emporia is a date at unbeaten Northwest Missouri. Shadyside natives Matt and Bryan Nardo are on the Hornets’ staff. Matt is offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator while Bryan is defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. They both were standout athletes at St. John Central.