West Virginia completes late-game comeback win over Texas
West Virginia rode their Heisman hopeful quarterback Will Grier for a crucial Big 12 comeback win against Texas, on Saturday. After Grier threw the most important touchdown pass of the day, he capped off his big night with his game-winning two-point conversion keeper.
Will Grier and the West Virginia Mountaineers had all the odds stacked against them on the road in Austin, Texas. The Mountaineers trailed by seven with only 22 seconds remaining. They were on the road against a Texas team that hadn’t lost at home all season. And one loss in Big 12 play could spoil any team’s hopes of winning the conference. However, that’s when Heisman hopeful Will Grier showed why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
Needing a touchdown to keep the Mountaineers in the game, Grier lobbed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Gary Jennings despite two Longhorn defenders on him. Down 41-40, all the Mountaineers needed was a successful extra point make. But WVU had other ideas in mind. They sent their offense out for the two-point conversion, with only 16 seconds left in the game. A stop from Texas’ defense would seal the game, but WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen rolled the dice. He wanted the ball in his superstar’s hands to decide the game.
And that’s exactly what happened. After examining the defense, Grier kept it himself as he scrambled in the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion. Grier even added a little spice to his game-clinching run as he pointed at a UT defender to make his presence known. The comeback was officially completed behind Grier’s monster day.
Overall, Grier threw for 346 yards, tossed three touchdowns, and he continued to grow his case for the Heisman trophy. Not to mention, Grier’s heroics also kept WVU’s playoff hopes alive, as they sit tied atop the conference with Oklahoma at 7-1.