N※N

Stock Up, Stock (Mostly) Down: Evaluations of WVU's Disastrous Showing in Orlando

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ions-of-wvu-s-disastrous-showing-in-orlando.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Saturday, October 18th 2025 at 17:35 GMT by Sports Illustrated
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

300x168/11486 Bytes

312x160/9011 Bytes

300x168/10975 Bytes

West Virginia Football: Examining the Fallout from a Crushing Orlando Loss

The University of West Virginia’s football program is facing intense scrutiny following a 31-14 defeat to Marshall University in Orlando, Florida. The loss, marking the Mountaineers' first against an FCS opponent since 1988 and their first regular season loss to a non-Power Five team since 2003, has triggered widespread disappointment and raised serious questions about the program’s trajectory under head coach Neal Brown. Sports Illustrated’s John Antonoff recently published an analysis dissecting the game's key takeaways and evaluating individual player performances – a piece that paints a stark picture of the challenges facing West Virginia football.

The immediate aftermath focused on the sheer unexpectedness of the result. Marshall, consistently projected to finish near the bottom of Conference USA, dominated much of the contest. The Thundering Herd’s rushing attack proved particularly effective, exploiting gaps in the Mountaineer defense and controlling the clock. West Virginia's offense, meanwhile, struggled to find any consistent rhythm, hampered by dropped passes, ineffective play-calling, and a porous offensive line.

Antonoff’s “Stock Up/Stock Down” assessment highlights several players whose performances either exacerbated or mitigated concerns surrounding the team. The "Stock Up" category is notably short. Redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Herrington receives a slight bump. While he replaced an injured Garrett Greene late in the game, his brief appearance offered a glimpse of potential – completing 6-of-10 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. This limited showing, however, doesn't erase the larger issues plaguing the quarterback position. The article notes that Herrington’s presence suggests Brown may be considering alternative options at QB moving forward.

The "Stock Down" section is considerably longer and more critical. Garrett Greene, the starting quarterback, faces significant criticism. His performance was deemed underwhelming, contributing to a series of stalled drives and missed opportunities. The offensive line, already a point of concern entering the season, received particularly harsh evaluation. Antonoff points out their inability to consistently protect Greene or open running lanes for the Mountaineer backs. This failure directly impacted West Virginia’s ability to establish any semblance of an offensive flow.

Several defensive players also saw their stock decline. Safety Audric Estep is flagged for missed tackles and a crucial pass interference penalty, contributing to Marshall's scoring drives. Linebacker Lee Autry, while generally considered a key player, struggled to make impactful plays against the Herd’s rushing attack. The article emphasizes that the defensive performance wasn't entirely about individual errors; it also reflected schematic issues and a lack of physicality.

Beyond individual performances, Antonoff’s analysis delves into broader strategic concerns. The play-calling was criticized as predictable and lacking creativity. The Mountaineers seemed hesitant to take risks or adjust their approach when facing adversity. The coaching staff's ability to make in-game adjustments was questioned, particularly given Marshall’s clear exploitation of West Virginia’s defensive weaknesses.

The article also touches on the impact of this loss beyond just the win-loss record. It damages recruiting momentum and casts a shadow over the program's aspirations for improvement within the Big 12 Conference. West Virginia is now facing increased pressure to demonstrate significant progress in upcoming games, particularly against conference opponents. The loss to Marshall has amplified existing concerns about the team’s competitiveness and raised doubts about Brown’s ability to lead the program back to consistent success.

The article references previous struggles within the West Virginia program, including a disappointing 2022 season that ended with a Music City Bowl defeat. This context underscores the sense of frustration among fans and observers who had hoped for a more promising start to the 2023 campaign. The loss to Marshall isn't just about one game; it represents a continuation of a troubling trend – a lack of consistent progress and an inability to overcome challenges.

Antonoff concludes by suggesting that Brown faces a critical juncture. He needs to address the fundamental issues plaguing both the offense and defense, demonstrate adaptability in his coaching approach, and ultimately restore confidence within the program. The immediate future for West Virginia football hinges on how effectively these challenges are confronted.

[ https://www.si.com/college/westvirginia/football/stock-up-stock-mostly-down-evaluations-of-wvu-disastrous-showing-in-orlando ]