Big 12 Football: Week 1 Winners and Losers

Sep 5, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph celebrates with fans after beating Georgia Southern 44-0. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia looks dangerous on the defensive end of the field, I mean dangerous. This team shut down Georgia Southern 44-0. Karl Joseph had the biggest impact on the game. Not only did he have three interceptions in the 3rd quarter, he also had a fumble recovery in the first half clearly making him the Big 12 defensive player of the week. He is the first player for WVU to have three interceptions in a game since 1994.

Junior quarterback Skyler Howard played with nerves at first, which seemed to be a pattern with Big 12 QB’s over the weekend. Howard’s early target was freshman receiver Jovon Durante, who made his first college reception with a 41-yard touchdown reception for a 7-0 lead. Durante also caught a 57-yarder on the final play of the first quarter.

At halftime, Howard was 10 of 19 for 246 yards. His final totals: 16 of 25 for 359 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Mountaineers look as if they are the real deal holding Georgia Southern’s explosive option attack to 89 total yards (all rushing) in building a 16-0 halftime lead.

Overall, Georgia Southern managed 224 total yards, 29 yards passing and 3.2 yards per play. Even though it’s Georgia Southern you have to admire those stats. This team has to be a hands down favorite to win the Big 12 and the defense is the main reason.

Next: Winner: Texas Tech