WVU notebook: Mountaineers' defensive mistakes magnified in the second half

MORGANTOWN -- Miscues are inevitable in sports, and they frequently cause a chain reaction.

The West Virginia University football team's defensive miscues have been more prevalent in the second half of games and become more apparent when looking at opponents' scoring.

The Mountaineers rank last in the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense, allowing 24.8 points per game in four outings.

West Virginia gave up 19 points per contest in its first three games before Oklahoma State put up 41 points in Morgantown last Saturday. That result along caused WVU's scoring defense average to shoot up 5.8 points.

West Virginia's second-half scoring defense numbers are more of an eye-opener this year compared to last.

WVU's first four foes to start the 2025 season (Robert Morris, Ohio, Pitt and Kansas) combined for 42 second-half points, an average of 10.5 points per game.

The Panthers and Jayhawks each scored 21 points in the final 30 minutes of regulation.

It got worse from there. The Kansas game was the beginning of the Mountaineers' five-game losing streak to start Big 12 Conference play.

Utah, BYU, Central Florida and TCU followed Kansas on WVU's schedule, and those four teams averaged 16 points per game in the second half against WVU.

This season, West Virginia has allowed Coastal Carolina, UT Martin, Virginia and Oklahoma State to combine for 72 second-half points, which is 18 points per game.

The Chanticleers and Cowboys were the only two of the four to eclipse more than 20 points, with Oklahoma State scoring 28 second-half points.

"We've got to play more guys," WVU defensive coordinator Zac Alley said. "You get out there and guys are playing 81 snaps or whatever it is. I know I'm not as good the first mile of my run versus the 15th mile of my run. We got to play and get more guys ready to play, which we will this week.

"We've got to continue to strain and finish to do what it takes to be successful the entire game and not just half of it."

In the Coastal Carolina and Oklahoma State games, WVU's defense gave up more than 270 yards. Coastal racked up 351 yards in the second half.

"There's not a lot of time for adjustments, but we were better in the second half defensively at times last year," WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said. "Starting with the Coastal game, then certainly this last game, we did not play very good football defensively in the second half, without going into the weeds about why.

"That is something I noticed, but I don't think there's just one particular reason why."

Iowa State, the Mountaineers' opponent Saturday, is No. 12 in the conference in scoring defense, averaging 30.8 points per game.

Tennessee date changed

WVU announced on Wednesday that the Mountaineers' 2028 season opener against Tennessee in the Duke's Mayo Classic will be moved.

The game was initially set to be played in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, 2028, but is now set for Saturday, Aug. 26, 2028.

A time has yet to be determined, and the game will remain in Charlotte. WVU played Virginia in this event on Sept. 19, winning 38-27.

The Mountaineers and Volunteers last met in the Queen City in 2018, with WVU leaving victorious 40-14.

Devine pleads not guilty

WVU assistant coach Noel Devine pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges in Monongalia County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

The former Mountaineers running back was charged last month with strangulation of his girlfriend, as well as misdemeanor charges of domestic battery, unlawful restraint and stalking.

These events followed WVU's home game against UT Martin on Sept. 12.

NaQuari Rogers signs with WVU

The Mountaineers added depth to their banged-up running back corps in Utah transfer NaQuari Rogers.

Rogers was among several athletes granted an injunction in Indiana for a fifth year of eligibility.

He spent last season with the Utes. West Virginia will become Rogers' fourth school, as he also has stops at Campbell and New Mexico.

In his career, Rogers has carried the ball 357 times for 1,598 yards and 26 touchdowns.

He posted 11 touchdowns last season with the Utes.

Rogers played against WVU last season, carrying the ball 13 times for 61 yards.

Arizona game time announced

West Virginia's sixth game of the season against Arizona will kick off at noon Oct. 10 in Milan Puskar Stadium.

The game theme is Coal Rush.

It'll be the Mountaineers and Wildcats' second-ever meeting, with the first coming in 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. WVU won 31-26.