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West Virginia Football: 3 takeaways from huge win over NC State in Week 3

By Phil Poling

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Austin Kendall #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rolls out as he looks to pass against the Missouri Tigers in the fourth quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Austin Kendall #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rolls out as he looks to pass against the Missouri Tigers in the fourth quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 25: A member of the West Virginia Mountaineers holds up his helmet before the take the field against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 25: A member of the West Virginia Mountaineers holds up his helmet before the take the field against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

2. Sam James is blossoming into a star

Ten offensive touches for 162 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. That’s quite a performance in college football, no? Add the fact that Sam James is freshman, and the future has never seemed brighter for West Virginia and the Mountaineers.

He recorded those numbers on screen passes, slants, deep balls — James did it all. There were a few hiccups along the way, but he’s not perfect. The second half kick return that he ran out from the endzone, a missed catch here or there. But James has everything to be a star. He’s got size, speed, and an ability to block downfield for his running backs. Did I mention he’s a freshman? He plays older than his class suggests.

James isn’t going to be on the Biletnikoff Award’s Watch List any time soon, but he will be there eventually. He did rip off a 51-yard reception, but also drew a pass interference on a deep ball that got the offense moving in the second half. He’ll continue to get better and make even more plays, giving the ‘Eers something to hope for and someone to root for moving forward.

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