West Virginia’s Pass Defense in Need of Improvement Ahead of Backyard Brawl Against Pitt
West Virginia enters their upcoming Backyard Brawl against Pitt with concerns surrounding their pass defense. Following their first two games of the 2023 season, it is clear that this area of their game requires improvement. Despite not facing particularly challenging opponents, the Mountaineers have allowed almost 9.1 yards per pass attempt in their matchups against Penn State and Duquesne. This has resulted in a total of 563 passing yards conceded in just two weeks.
The statistics paint a worrying picture for West Virginia’s pass defense. They rank outside the top 100 nationally, having already allowed 10 pass plays of 20-plus yards and five plays of 30-plus yards. The team acknowledges the need to address these shortcomings and rectify them for future games. Coach Neal Brown expressed his concerns, stating that a few players are displaying poor fundamentals, such as failing to make the proper contact with receivers on zone drops or not looking at the quarterback when necessary.
In their season opener against Penn State, West Virginia quarterback Drew Allar had an impressive performance, completing 21-of-29 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns, without throwing an interception. While there was some improvement against Duquesne, where Darius Perrantes threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, the Mountaineers still struggled to contain the passing game. DJ Powell’s 38-yard touchdown reception exposed weaknesses in the pass defense, highlighting the need for improvement.
Coach Brown acknowledges that changes and adjustments need to be made. Players such as Andrew Wilson-Lamp and Beanie Bishop have started at cornerback, but there is potential for others, like Malachi Ruffin and Jacolby Spells, to step up and contribute. Additionally, the likely return of safety Marcis Floyd will provide a much-needed boost to the secondary. Brown remains hopeful that these adjustments, as well as the implementation of some new defensive strategies, will help shore up the pass defense.
Pittsburgh, West Virginia’s upcoming opponent, is also coming off a disappointing performance in their passing game against Cincinnati. Panthers quarterback Phil Jurkovec struggled, completing only 10-of-32 passes. However, Jurkovec has shown promise throughout his career, and he will be looking to bounce back against West Virginia’s vulnerable pass defense.
In summary, West Virginia’s pass defense has shown significant weaknesses in their first two games of the 2023 season. Allowing numerous big plays and struggling with basic fundamentals, the Mountaineers recognize the need for improvement. With the Backyard Brawl against Pitt approaching, it is crucial for West Virginia to address these issues and tighten up their pass defense if they want to secure a victory. Pitt’s struggling passing game presents an opportunity for the Mountaineers to showcase their improvements and come away with a much-needed win.
