SB Nation Pittsburgh - West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State recap: Cowboys defeat Mountaineers 55-34https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-11-11T09:40:56-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33769212012-11-11T09:40:56-05:002012-11-11T09:40:56-05:00Mountaineers lose again with poor defense
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Once again, West Virginia was undone by a defense that couldn't get off the field.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> looked like a title contender after the first five games of their season. Now, they'll be lucky to make an appearance in a respectable bowl game.</p>
<p>West Virginia was hammered once again on Saturday, losing 55-34 to the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Boone Pickens Stadium.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.smokingmusket.com/2012/11/10/3628994/wvu-drops-4th-straight-loses-to-oklahoma-state-55-34">Over at The Smoking Musket</a>, it was written that the team broke down in more than one way:</p>
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<p>While the offense was able to get <i>somewhat</i> back on track in this game, several defensive breakdowns were still prevalent and three (four if you count the missed downing of the ball deep) huge special teams gaffes proved to be too much to overcome for these Mountaineers. A bobbled kickoff, a crazy bounce on a punt and a kickoff return allowed for a touchdown accounted for the major mistakes on the so-called third side of the ball this afternoon.</p>
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<p>The Mountaineers are now 5-4, 2-4 in the Big 12, and in need of beating either the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma Sooners</a>, Iowa State Cyclones or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/kansas-jayhawks" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas Jayhawks</a> to snag a bowl bid. Certainly West Virginia should beat a team or two in there, but the disappointment of this season is incredible considering the early Heisman candidacy of Geno Smith and the 5-0 beginning.</p>
<p>Despite gaining 479 yards, the Mountaineers couldn't find a victory. The defense was once again the culprit in the loss, failing to hold Oklahoma State at any point. West Virginia was also put in an immediate hole, trailing 21-7 after the first quarter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/11/3630532/oklahoma-state-west-virginia-2012-reactionMatt Verderame2012-11-10T19:37:20-05:002012-11-10T19:37:20-05:00West Virginia falls to Oklahoma State, 55-34
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<p>Josh Stewart's three TDs led the Cowboys over the Mountaineers on Saturday. </p> <p>Josh Stewart's three touchdowns led Oklahoma State over West Virginia, 55-34, on Saturday.</p>
<p>Oklahoma State outscored West Virginia 21-7 in the first quarter after two early touchdowns by Stewart, and the Cowboys led 31-17 at half.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers outscored the Cowboys 17-10 in the third quarter and got as close as 38-34 after Oklahoma State quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77041/clint-chelf">Clint Chelf</a> threw an interception that set up a Geno Smith 1-yard touchdown run with 5:20 left in the quarter.</p>
<p>Oklahoma State answered with 17 consecutive points to secure the win.</p>
<p>Chelf finished 22 of 31 passing for 292 yards and four touchdowns and one interception.</p>
<p>The two teams combined for 922 total yards of offense.</p>
<p><b>Box Score Hero: </b>Josh Stewart had one carry for 46 yards and a touchdown on the ground to go along with 13 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns through the air.</p>
<p><b>Rankings Ramifications: </b>Neither team was ranked entering the game. At 6-3 overall, Oklahoma State might be considered for the BCS and AP Polls this week.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>Oklahoma State was favored by 10.5 points in the game and covered the spread.</p>
<p><b>Next Week's Schedule: </b>West Virginia will host Oklahoma while Oklahoma State will play Texas Tech at home.</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2012/11/10/3628956/west-virginia-vs-oklahoma-state-final-score-recappardeeptoor2012-11-10T17:10:21-05:002012-11-10T17:10:21-05:00Cowboys lead Mountaineers 31-17 at half
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<p>Oklahoma State out-scored West Virginia in the first quarter to open up a 31-17 lead over the Mountaineers at half.</p>
<p>Oklahoma State opened the game with 14 unanswered points after a 46-yard rush and 21-yard reception by Josh Stewart to put the Cowboys up 14-0 with 3:07 left in the first quarter.</p>
<p>West Virginia answered on their next possession with a 6-play, 75-yard drive which culminated with a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84145/stedman-bailey">Stedman Bailey</a> 37-yard touchdown reception to cut the Cowboys' lead to 14-7.</p>
<p>Corey Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 61 yards for Oklahoma State's third touchdown of the game which put them up 21-7 at the end of the first quarter.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers scored the first points in the second quarter when Geno Smith completed a 17-yard pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84134/tavon-austin">Tavon Austin</a> for a touchdown to cut the Cowboys' lead to 21-14 with 5:43 left in the half.</p>
<p>Oklahoma State immediately answered on a 4-play, 59-yard drive that concluded with a 48-yard touchdown reception by Blake Jackson. West Virginia fumbled the ensuing Oklahoma State kickoff which setup a 26-yard field goal to give the Cowboys their largest lead of the half, 31-14.</p>
<p>West Virginia ended the half with a 41-yard field goal to cut the Oklahoma State lead to 31-17 after two quarters.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/10/3628468/wvu-vs-oklahoma-state-score-footballpardeeptoor2012-11-10T08:01:11-05:002012-11-10T08:01:11-05:00Cowboys, Mountaineers shoot for bowl eligibility
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>West Virginia and Oklahoma State, both coming off of losses, will look to grab an important sixth win. </p> <p>Two teams with losses to the BCS No. 2 Kansas State Wildcats square off Saturday in Stillwater, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys will welcome the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> in a key Big 12 meeting.</p>
<p>Both teams still have small shots at the Big 12 conference title, with the Wildcats' undefeated record pacing the conference. More importantly, with both teams aiming for bowl eligibility with a victory, the showdown could play a big role in bowl placement at season's end.</p>
<p>The Cowboys are coming off their 44-30 loss to the Wildcats where they hung around early before Kansas State separated.</p>
<p>West Virginia will look to snap a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Geno Smith has fallen out of Heisman contention as the Mountaineers have lost in three consecutive weeks.</p>
<p><b>Date and Time</b>: Saturday, Nov. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: ABC</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/west-virginia-oklahoma-state-odds-november-10-2012"><b>Odds</b></a>: Oklahoma State is favored by 7.5 points</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/10/3612004/oklahoma-state-west-virginia-2012-game-time-schedule-oddsAsher Feldman2012-11-08T15:14:02-05:002012-11-08T15:14:02-05:00Travares Copeland leaves WVU football team
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Freshman wide receiver Travares Copeland is leaving the Mountaineers for "personal reasons."</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> coach<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/WVU-WR-Travares-Copeland-leaves-team-4020786.php" target="_blank"> Dana Holgorsen announced on Thursday</a> that freshman wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161693/travares-copeland">Travares Copeland</a> has left the football team. Holgorsen stated that Copelan left for "personal reasons" and declined further comment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Mountaineers planned on redshirting Copeland this season, but pulled the shirt during their game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-tech-red-raiders">Texas Tech Red Raiders</a>. Copeland hauled in ten catches for 55 yards, and started at receiver against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/kansas-st-wildcats">Kansas St. Wildcats</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tcu-horned-frogs">TCU Horned Frogs</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Copeland <a href="https://twitter.com/T_COP3LAND" target="_blank">had indicated on his Twitter account</a> Wednesday that he was considering a transfer, and that the reasons for transfer were family related.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Travares-Copeland-106527" target="_blank">Rivals.com</a> ranked Copeland as a three-star recruit of high school. Copeland was a dual-threat quarterback for Treasure Coast High in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Copeland also visited Florida International and Rutgers before committing to West Virginia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">West Virginia will square off Saturday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-st-cowboys">Oklahoma St. Cowboys</a>. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on ABC/ESPN2.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/8/3619176/travares-copeland-west-virginia-footballConnor Moylan2012-11-08T11:27:40-05:002012-11-08T11:27:40-05:00Losing streak has Mountaineers frustrated
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> have lost three games in a row, dropping their record to 5-3. Head coach Dana Holgorsen thinks that the list of problems for the team could be reduced by <a href="http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/201211070305">being more mentally prepared</a>, saying that you have to be in position and be in the proper mentality to pull the trigger.</p>
<p>After their loss to the Kansas St. Wildcats a couple weeks ago, the Mountaineers began shuffling some players on both sides of the ball. These changes appeared to be working in Saturday's loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tcu-horned-frogs" class="sbn-auto-link">TCU Horned Frogs</a> until a breakdown in communication in the secondary led to a 94-yard touchdown pass that sent the game to overtime.</p>
<p>One player in particular that has caught the attention of Holgorsen was Austin Copeland, a true freshman walk-on linebacker. Copleland had a key block on Tayvon Austin's punt return for a touchdown that put the Mountaineers ahead in the fourth quarter. In the film session on Sunday, Holgorsen pointed his play out, according to special teamer Shaq Petteway:</p>
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<p>"Coach Holgorsen pointed out he was a new guy giving full effort and that other guys needed to start giving that effort. Those are the guys coach likes. Not front-line guys, but guys who you put in and are ready to go."</p>
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<p>The Mountaineers play the Cowboys on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff and the game will be broadcast on either ABC or ESPN2. Radio coverage of the game will be provided by WAJR 1440 AM and WVAQ 101.9 FM in Morgantown. For more radio stations that will broadcast the game, check <a href="http://www.wvusports.com/page.cfm?section=1104">West Virginia's official athletic website</a>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/8/3618014/west-virginia-vs-oklahoma-state-wvu-footballTim Blank2012-11-07T10:22:25-05:002012-11-07T10:22:25-05:00Randle poses large threat to Mountaineers
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> have struggled a bit on defense this year.</p>
<p>After such an impressive start to the season, the team has faltered and now will have another big test on its hands with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115354/joseph-randle">Joseph Randle</a> and the Oklahoma State Cowboys coming up on Saturday.</p>
<p>Randle has been terrific this season, racking up 934 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on only 175 carries. He's also proven to be a duel-threat, with 21 catches on the year.</p>
<p>Some have starting comparing the star to another Oklahoma State great, NFL Hall-of-Famer Thurman Thomas.</p>
<p>Head coach Mike Gundy feels those people aren't too far off base, <a href="http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/201211060200">according to the Charleston Daily Mail</a>.</p>
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<p>"I think it's fair," said Cowboys Coach Mike Gundy, who played quarterback at the school when Thomas starred in the backfield. "I don't know if it's ever fair to compare a guy to a NFL Hall of Famer. That could be a little unjust. But at this point in his career, Thurman was effective in the same areas Joseph Randle is."</p>
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<p>The junior is leading the Big 12 in rushing with an astonishing 116.75 yards per game. It will be an intriguing match-up to watch because despite West Virginia's poor defensive play, it actually ranks 32nd in the country.</p>
<p>Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen knows all about Randle's talents, having coached him as a coordinator in 2010.</p>
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<p>"Joseph Randle is a fantastic football player," Holgorsen sad. "He's one of my favorite kids I've ever coached even though I only had him one year as a true freshman. It means a lot to him. He lives it."</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/7/3613094/wvu-vs-oklahoma-state-football-joseph-randleMatt Verderame2012-11-06T11:53:44-05:002012-11-06T11:53:44-05:00Holgorsen returns to Stillwater for first time
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Dana Holgorsen will coach against Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State for the first time since he left the Cowboys after his only season as the team's offensive coordinator.</p> <p>Dana Holgorsen will coach against Oklahoma State <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/59134/holgorsen-helped-ignite-two-programs-rises">for the first time since leaving</a> his job as offensive coordinator of the Cowboys to take his current position as head coach at West Virginia.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers, now in the same conference as Oklahoma State, hired Holgorsen after his only season in Stillwater. After making his name for himself with high-scoring offenses at Texas Tech and Houston, Holgersen took over an offense that was ranked No. 61 in the nation in total offense and made it No. 3 in the country in scoring. In 2010, the Cowboys set school records in yards, points, passing yards, and passing completions, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8399/brandon-weeden" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Weeden</a> earning credit as one of the nation's best quarterbacks and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37330/justin-blackmon" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Blackmon</a> winning the Biletnikoff Trophy. Oklahoma State's head coach Mike Gundy reminisced on what Holgorsen brought to WVU:</p>
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<p>"We were just a typical spread offense. Run/pass, no-huddle offense," Gundy said. "The impact it had was we changed our style of quarterback, so we brought in a scheme that could best fit what Brandon Weeden could have success with, which was pocket-style passing."</p>
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<p>The team went on to win the Alamo Bowl that year, and having proven his system could work at a major college, Holgorsen left for West Virginia.</p>
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<p>"It worked out good for everybody," Holgorsen said.</p>
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<p>Using the same system, the Cowboys won the Fiesta Bowl the next year and finished the season at No. 3 in the country. Holgorsen did not face Oklahoma State in his first year in charge at West Virginia.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2012/11/6/3609542/wvu-vs-oklahoma-state-football-dana-holgorsenRodger Sherman