West Virginia Football: Xavier Preston makes crucial stop vs. Baylor
By Phil Poling
The West Virginia football team got off to a hot start against Baylor Saturday, but for the second consecutive week needed late game heroics to seal the win.
Quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver David Sills hooked up for three touchdowns in as many quarters, but Dana Holgorsen’s offense sputtered mightily down the stretch.
On their two fourth-quarter possessions (not including the kneel-down to end the game), the Mountaineers ran only ten plays (four passes, four runs, two punts) for 13 total yards. Not ideal.
That lack of production in the final quarter is troublesome for the Mountaineers on both sides of the ball. With the offense running so few plays, the defense was on the field a lot, still expected to stand up and make plays. Even though they waited till the last possible moment — they still made the necessary stop.
Trailing by two points following a late touchdown, the Baylor Bears opted for the only decision that made sense: attempt the two-point conversion. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was expecting a few different route concepts for the play — a sprint-out throwback or a motion/pick play. Thankfully, a senior linebacker read it well and stepped up to end the Bears’ comeback hopes.
"“Xavier made a hell of a play,” said a proud Tony Gibson following the game. “I thought that was by far the best game he’s played since he’s been at West Virginia. He came up with some huge, huge, huge plays.”"
The specific play he’s referencing is the sack on the two-point conversion. After getting off the block, Preston came swooping in to corral the quarterback. All the ‘Eers needed from there to escape Waco with a win was a recovery of the ensuing onside kick. They got it.
Preston’s day was an encouraging one for WVU fans too, as he racked up four tackles and a sack. It came in the biggest moment of the game, something that’s becoming a habit among this defense — different players stepping up.
It was junior college transfer Ezekiel Rose who made a momentum-swinging sack a week ago for the Mountaineers; Preston took it upon himself to get it done this week.
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The Mountaineers (5-2) return to Milan Puskar Stadium for a showdown with Oklahoma State (6-1) on Saturday, October 28. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.