WVU Football: 2023 Season in Review (game-by-game recap)
Game 6 - at Houston
Worst Nightmare
Mountaineer fans showed up and showed out for a Thursday night game on the road in Houston, Texas. The 4-1 West Virginia Mountaineers visited the Cougars of Houston in a matchup that aired on FS1. WVU Quarterback Garrett Greene threw for a season-high 391 yards. West Virginia trailed by a score of 14-10 at halftime.
After each team scored a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter featured a whole lot of offense. A 59-yard touchdown drive by Houston gave the Cougars a 35-24 lead just about midway through the final quarter. Garrett Greene marched the Mountaineers down the field quickly and capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion attempt with a pass to wide receiver Traylon Ray. After forcing a punt, Greene and the West Virginia offense took over at their own 12-yard line with 1:12 remaining in the game and the Mountaineers trailing 35-32. Things looked bleak for the Mountaineers as their drive appeared to stall out at the 50-yard line. A 4th and 10 desperation play led to Greene delivering a strike to wide receiver Hudson Clement that he would take the distance. Clement scored the go-ahead touchdown with 12 seconds remaining and the Mountaineers up by 4.
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Garrett Greene following the touchdown pinned the Mountaineers back 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff. With 7 seconds remaining, starting at their own 43-yard line, Houston converted a quick pass for 8 yards and followed it with a successful 49-yard Hail Mary attempt as the game clock expired. The Houston Cougars stunned the Mountaineers and all those in attendance by pulling off the improbable.
Mountaineer Notables:
Garrett Greene - 20/38, 391 yards, 12 carries, 47 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 interception
CJ Donaldson Jr. - 17 carries, 66 yards, 1 touchdown
Devin Carter - 5 receptions, 116 yards
Hudson Clement - 2 receptions, 59 yards, 1 touchdown
Traylon Ray - 3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 touchdown
Jared Bartlett - 7 tackles, 1 sack
Final Score: Houston 41, WVU 39