West Virginia Football: Cuse run away from Will Grier-less Mountaineers

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Trishton Jackson #86 of the Syracuse Orange reacts after a 14-yard touchdown reception against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter of the Camping World Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. West Virginia missed Will Grier

Will Grier had been a darkhorse Heisman contender for the entire year and finished with 3,864 yards, 37 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, leading the Mountaineers to an 8-3 record and a game away from the Big 12 Championship.

With Grier skipping the ballgame, sophomore backup Jack Allison was thrust into the starting lineup. Allison, who is likely the front-runner to be West Virginia’s quarterback next year, had a less than stellar performance against Orange’s stingy defense, completing 18-for-36 passes for 279 yards, no touchdowns and one interceptions. It was a game that showed the Mountaineers needed Will Grier.

If anything, that spells concern for West Virginia in 2019 and beyond. Dana Holgorsen’s seat has been warming and the lack of a proven signal-caller doesn’t bode well for his future. A win in the Camping World Bowl was never going to make everything right, but the dismal showing was certainly alarming.

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