West Virginia football: 3 takeaways from blowout loss to Iowa State

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MORGANTOWN, WV – OCTOBER 12: Tykee Smith #23 of the West Virginia Mountaineers intercepts a pass before running 19 yards for a touchdown in the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Mountaineer Field on October 12, 2019 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. Youthful secondary continues to improve

The Mountaineers are playing a large number of underclassmen, including some true and redshirt freshman, early in Neal Brown’s first season as head coach. And although there have been some bumps and bruises along the way, they continue showing glimpses of what the future holds.

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The first score of the game came on defense for West Virginia, as true freshman safety Tykee Smith intercepted Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. Smith’s role has improved over the past two games, but prior to playing Iowa State he’d made 16 total tackles and recorded three pass deflections.

Three more true freshman for West Virginia – Nicktroy Fortune, Kerry Martin, Jr. and Tae Mayo — also played heavily in the Mountaineers’ secondary. Fortune, a cornerback, started in place of Keith Washington, West Virginia’s interception leader (3) on the season. Fortune got beat a couple times early, but got more comfortable as the game went on. Martin, Jr’s played in four of WVU’s five games this year, totaling 12 tackles (one tackle for loss) and one pass deflection. Mayo saw action after senior Hakeem Bailey was ejected for targeting, but the game was all but over when he entered the action.

Seeing these young guys not only get reps, but make some plays while on the field, should be an encouraging sign for West Virginia. There are few moral victories in sports, but seeing the youth step up is certainly one of them. West Virginia’s lucky to get it from more than just a couple guys, too.

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