Mountaineers Stun Jayhawks With Monster Comeback

© Ben Queen/USA TODAY SPORTS

The West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2) overcame an 11-point deficit with four minutes to go to seal a victory over the Kansas Jayhawks (1-3) 32-28 on Sept. 21 in Morgantown, W. Va. The Jayhawks looked poised to take home a big road win, but bad game management, loose coverage and a slew of penalties allowed the Mountaineer offense to work their way back into the game.

Game Summary

The first half was a back-and-forth contest, with each team exchanging blows. Both Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels and West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene couldn't find a rhythm in the passing game, with each throwing first-half interceptions.

Kansas seemingly took control after a few defensive stands and another Greene interception. The Jayhawks took a 21-17 lead into a weather delay that lasted roughly two hours. Once play resumed, the Jayhawks came up with a big stop and scored on the following drive, going up 28-17 with four minutes to go in the game. One more stop and running out the clock is all Kansas needed to do to close the game out.

The Mountaineers knew they weren't out of it, not after Kansas had given up back-to-back late fourth-quarter leads. West Virginia cut up the Kansas secondary and got a quick touchdown and two-point conversion. A three-and-out that took less than a minute off the clock for the Jayhawks gave West Virginia a chance to tie or win the game with about two minutes, a chance which they capitalized on.

Another long West Virginia drive saw them score a touchdown on a 15-yard passing score to Rodney Gallagher III with 26 seconds left. A sack fumble on Daniels sealed the deal for the Mountaineers and they came away with the home victory.

Turning Point

Kansas went up 28-17 with four minutes to go. A stop for the Jayhawks effectively ended this game, but the Mountaineers completed two quick passes to get down to the Jayhawks 40-yard line. A couple of plays later, the Mountaineers found themselves in the red zone. Greene found Kole Taylor for a ten-yard touchdown to get the Mountaineers back within one possession. Greene then found Taylor again for the two-point conversion to get the game within a field goal.

While this did not give the Mountaineers the lead, this took the air out of the Jayhawks' sails. A lackluster offensive effort to run out the clock gave West Virginia the ball back, where they capitalized and scored another touchdown.

More Jayhawks Heartbreak

The Jayhawks had this game won if they had managed the clock and the lead better. Giving up an 11-point lead with less than four minutes to go in the game is a punch to the gut. Unfortunately, it's a gut punch the Jayhawks know all too well, as this is the third fourth-quarter lead in four games that Kansas has blown.

A drastic change may be needed should the Jayhawks save their season. Jeff Grimes has not been the answer, Daniels looks like a shell of his former self and this team looks as if they were woefully unprepared for the expectations people had for them this season. The Jayhawks have the TCU Horned Frogs (2-1) at home next, and if the Jayhawks lose there, this season may be all but lost.

For the Mountaineers, however, this is a win that could get them back on track for the Big 12 Conference title chase. They're not healthy right now, which could spell trouble, but a big comeback win injects a lot of confidence into this team. The Mountaineers will play the No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0) next and a win against the ranked Cowboys will have them right back in the conference race.