Liberty Bowl scoring: quarterback change and in-game kick start West Virginia’s comeback victory over Army

Halfway through the third quarter of the Liberty Bowl, West Virginia was in dangerous territory. The Black Knights had just scored on a drive completely at the mark: 13 games for 75 yards. It took the military exactly eight minutes to ascend 21-10. It was the type of driving that would make almost any opponent someday call him and win. Going back 11 points isn’t the end of the world, but facing Army, with its slow and methodical triple option, limits driving opportunities. And the opportunities that West Virginia has had at this point have been wasted with turnovers, declines, and missed opportunities in general. But by switching to former starter Austin Kendall at quarterback, West Virginia was able to start their comeback, resulting in a 24-21.

Kendall replaced Jarret Doege, who was ineffective in the first half and returned the ball twice. His second turnover, a fumble late in the second quarter, immediately led to an army touchdown two games later. Kendall came off the bench in the second half and led the Mountaineers on a 10-game, 80-yard run to reduce the deficit to 21-16.

Knowing the military could run out of time again, West Virginia coach Neal Brown then opted for a surprise kick, which the Mountaineers recovered. The resulting reader did nothing, but stole a valuable possession from the military.

The West Virginia defense has done as good a job against the military’s triple option as anyone could ask them to do. Of the 10 Army possessions, only two were long and sustained. The rest never lasted more than six pieces. And while West Virginia’s offense wasn’t much better – falls were a huge problem and running back Leddie Brown never really started at 3.3 yards per carry – Kendall hit TJ Simmons for a 20 yard field goal. the fourth quarter.

The army is nowhere near its fourth victory of 10 in school history. West Virginia ends 2020 with a 6-4 record, not bad for the year 0.5 for Brown. Carried by defense for most of the season, the Alpinists will need to show major improvements in attack in 2021.