Austin Kendall is the quarterback at West Virginia University, and there ain’t no controversy.
So get over it.
Do you know how I know this? Because Neal Brown said so. He says it every day: Yesterday, today, tomorrow.
And he knows his personnel better than you and I.
And if you’re a true WVU supporter, you’re behind this 100 percent. You may not think Kendall is the best QB in the country, and you have probably been spoiled by the recent run of QBs at WVU in past few years, but according to Neal Brown, he’s the best QB in Morgantown right now. And that’s good enough for me.
Let’s be real here. The Mountaineers can win, at best, three of their last four games and finish 6-6, which qualifies them for the Also-ran Bowl or the Dollywood Bowl or the Gaunga Bowl … and what does it really matter?
And I know, I know. The passing game — and Kendall is the trigger — has been awful. But look at the efficiency of the offensive line. And … … … Well … … nothing to see here. It’s been a huge disappointment. A quick look at the rushing game, for crying out loud, shows a staggeringly-awful 2.6 yards per carry. Veteran RBs Kennedy McCoy and Leddie Brown are known quantities. They are fine. There is simply nowhere to go, folks. Check this out: WVU has 44 rushing first downs this year. Their opponents have 92.
The WVU receivers have had their moments, but the drops are staggering. Sam James looked like a revelation early, but has regressed somehow. T.J. Simmons can’t stay on the field because of injuries. Kevin White isn’t walking through that door today. David Sills isn’t walking through that door. Gary Jennings … you get the picture. Kendall is playing poker without the aces.
Hey, Neal Brown came to Morgantown and saw a complete reboot in front of him. Dana Holgorsen’s singular lack of personality led to a disaster of a recruiting foundation. Instead of building relationships with high school coaches and having a viable game-plan for recruiting, Holgs decided that JUCO transfers were the way to patch the holes year after year. Like you, I’m glad he’s gone.
Let’s take a quick look at the new head coach, using the Baylor game as a barometer.
Best early impression: Fourth-and-1 at the WVU 31, at 11:00 in the first quarter, no score. Brown goes for it. With a spotty offensive line and no momentum of any kind, he goes for it. Safe to say nobody else does this. But Neal Brown does, and the Mountaineers get the first down. “Ballsy” doesn’t even begin to tell the story. Of course, with Kendall in the midst of a 9-for-21 first half for 48 yards, it didn’t amount to anything.
And so it went the entire game, with the Mountaineers refusing to believe that Baylor was any better, and fighting, scratching and clawing to take this to the end. The defense was ridiculously good, the special teams were phenomenal, and the offense did just enough to keep WVU from winning.
And, still, Austin Kendall is the QB.
Options? We’ve seen enough of Jack Allison, I think, to know that he isn’t the guy. Trey Lowe could get a look and perhaps he’s fleet-footed enough to ease the O-line woes. Lord knows Kendall isn’t: He couldn’t outrun my dead Grandpa. Then there’s junior transfer Jarret Doege, who last year threw for 27 touchdowns and 12 INTs for Bowling Green, leading the Mid-American Conference in TDs and passing yards. But the plan is to redshirt Doege, who by rule can play four games and still maintain the redshirt. There are four regular-season games left, and hopefully a bowl game, which would be WVU’s 18th in the last 20 years.
Is Doege the answer at this point? Neal Brown says no when the obvious answer seems to be, “What do we have to lose?”
Lose? I think Neal Brown is firmly behind this Oklahoma transfer as his QB. Bench him now, even to take a look at Doege or Lowe, and you may lose any semblance of confidence that the kid may have. Now, and next year.
And, for the life of me I have no idea why this matters considering the level of ineptitude so far. Except for this: Neal Brown sees these kids every day. He knows them inside and out. And Neal Brown wants to win. Badly. So maybe he’s right. And maybe WVU fans should just get on board and enjoy the ride.
Trust the climb.
