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West Virginia Football: 5 keys to winning out in 2023

By Troy Van Camp

Oct 12, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Aubrey Burks (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Aubrey Burks (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

4. High-level contributors in the secondary

Aubrey Burks and Beanie Bishop Jr. have emerged as leaders in the West Virginia secondary. The Minnesota transfer, Bishop Jr., has provided the Mountaineers with exactly what they needed this season. He is among the nation’s leaders with 4 interceptions through 10 games.

Additionally, he leads the nation with 19 passes defended, while the next-closest has tallied 14 in that department.

After being carted off the field in the game against TCU on Sept. 30, safety Aubrey Burks has slowly but surely appeared more comfortable on the field after missing just one game. Burks made an incredible play to force a fumble against BYU.

If the Mountaineers are to avoid an upset loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, it would be because big-time players like Burks and Bishop Jr. made big-time plays.

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