West Virginia University football’s defensive unit is working to silence critics and build on a brief surge of energy that helped the Mountaineers stay competitive against Texas Tech on Saturday. After a disastrous first half that saw the Red Raiders rack up 41 points and nearly 500 yards, the Mountaineers rallied in the second half, forcing multiple punts and limiting Texas Tech to just 16 yards of offense in the third quarter.
First‑half struggles
The Mountaineers entered the game with the best offense in the Big 12 and a national ranking of 17th, but the defense was the worst in the conference and second‑to‑last among Power Five programs. The early onslaught left West Virginia trailing 41‑27 at halftime, a deficit that highlighted the unit’s inability to stop big plays and protect the secondary.
Alley’s message to his players
Defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who has faced calls on social media to be dismissed, addressed his squad with a straightforward message: stay off social media, focus on the work inside the locker room, and trust the process. “I always tell them, never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from,” Alley said. “What happens in here, and the things we say in this building, I want that to matter to them because we want them to be the best.”
Alley also emphasized the importance of keeping the team’s heads up and fighting for every play. “If we can get the ball back to them three, four times in a row, we can make this a close game,” he told the players. “Then all the pressure is on the other side.”
Second‑half adjustments
After halftime, the defense made positional adjustments and increased communication on the field. Defensive back Andrew Powdrell noted the change in energy: “We were talking, we were yelling like the rest of the game. On the field, celebrating for each other, little things that make a huge difference.” The unit forced Texas Tech to punt on four consecutive drives, including three three‑and‑outs, and even recorded a negative passing yardage total in the third quarter.
Those stops allowed the offense to take a 48‑41 lead late in the third quarter. However, the fourth quarter saw Texas Tech mount two scoring drives to retake the lead. WVU’s defense managed a crucial fourth‑down stop, giving the offense two chances to tie or win, but the offense stalled and the Mountaineers fell short.
Looking ahead
Head coach Rich Rodriguez stressed that consistency remains the biggest hurdle. “The defense hasn’t played a complete game all year,” he said. “It’s a lot easier said than done.” Nonetheless, both Rodriguez and Alley remain optimistic that the flashes of energy and execution can become a regular feature in the final three games of the season.
Alley concluded, “The guys believe, and they want to play hard. They see flashes of what we can be. We want to get that consistency. I think that’s the challenge that I present to them every day, and I think they’ve accepted that.”
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
