Doege Delivers a "W"

Manhattan, KS – West Virginia head coach Neal Brown turned to backup quarterback Jarrett Doege and he delivered, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns in an upset win over No. 24 Kansas State Wildcats 24-20.

The Mountaineers received the opening kickoff and the West Virginia opening drive ended as quickly as it started after Kennedy McKoy lost four yards on first down. Subsequently, it was the beginning of an ugly three-and-out.

West Virginia's poor start went from bad to worse after Wildcats quarterback Skyler Thompson hit Dalton Schoen in stride over the middle for a 68-yard touchdown on its first play from scrimmage.

Doege and the offense got going on their second opportunity. Consecutive rushes of 10+ yards from Kennedy McKoy setup Doege and George Campbell to connect on a 19-yard touchdown strike to tie the game at seven apiece.

After a quick answer from the Wildcats to regain the lead, the Mountaineers mixed the run and the pass to get deep into K-State territory, but the Wildcats dialed up the pressure on third-and-seven, sacking Doege to make it fourth-and-long.

However, a personal foul on Kansas State for making contact with the center on the field goal attempt gave the Mountaineers a first down and Doege and Campbell capitalized on the extra opportunity with a 15-yard touchdown.

Kansas State got within one following a 33-yard field goal from Blake Lynch with under a minute remaining in the first half.

Skyler Thompson went 7-7 for 59 yards to open the second half, guiding his team to a 12-play, 70-yard drive that chewed up a little over seven minutes to take a 20-14 lead.

West Virginia claimed its first scoring drive of the second half late in the third quarter after Casey Legg drilled a 51-yard field goal to get the Mountaineers within three.

West Virginia secured the lead for good on its ensuing possession. Facing third-and-22, Doege scrambled out of the pocket, rolled around to his left and found Bryce Wheaton open down the field as he walked it into the paint to give West Virginia the 24-20 lead with 11:27 left in the game.

West Virginia cornerback Hakeem Bailey sealed the game with an interception with only 28 seconds left in the game.

The Mountaineers host No. 22 Oklahoma State next week.