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A few take aways from the first half: 1) CB is a player and his mobility is going to be a big asset for us in conference play. However, he needs to learn how to avoid big hits or he won’t be available in many games. 2) Our OL is clearly a work in progress and we simply can’t block Wake’s DL. We’ve gotten confused several times on Wake’s blitzes. I’m glad we finally went away from the inside zone in the run game. When inside zone isn’t working, counter and outside zone are the next best bets and we ran some nice counters in the 2nd quarter. 3) Pass rush is a problem…again. I’m not going to blast our secondary as they don’t stand a chance with the amount of time Lopez is getting. That said, I am going to be critical of the entire defense for looking lost on too many plays in the first quarter. 4) JD Williams is a beast on the interior against the run, but he needs to get in better shape. 5) Freshman Daunte Curtis is going to be a player. 6) Receivers look as expected. If the OL can hold up a little longer, which they should against other MAC teams, this offense will have a chance at some big plays. 7) I want to see us compete and make some things happen in the second half.

Worst thing is this is forcing me to switch over to the Akron football game.

Unfortunately I don't think they went into the 2nd delay too early. The front from the NW had finally moved in on Morgantown. I believe that the rule is they have to stop if lightning is detected 7 miles or less away. (Someone please check me on that.) That front and the lightning looked close enough for this to apply. The other rules that apply. 1) REVISED: Inclement Weather Policy, Expiration of Time (Rule 7.8). Unless agreed to by the teams or determined by the governing sports authority, no game may be started if more than three hours have elapsed between the scheduled start time and the all clear being given. Once the all clear is given, teams shall have adequate warm up time. Once a game has been started and suspended, no game may be resumed the same day if more than three hours have elapsed between the first suspension of play and the all clear being given for the first and all subsequent delays unless the teams or the governing sports authority have agreed to a longer waiting period. Following the rule without other agreement, the game could not resume after 10 pm. Once the front from the NW had moved in, it was apparent from the radar (on my phone) that it would not move out by 10 pm. We left around 9:45 pm and drove through that front. I can attest that it was not going to clear Morgantown before 10 pm. 2) REVISED: Suspended Game - Completed Game (Rule 7.7.4). Games that have progressed to 70 minutes or beyond with a margin of three (3) or more goals will be considered final if the game is suspended and cannot be resumed the same day. If the margin is less than three (3) goals after 70 minutes or the game has not progressed to 70 minutes, the game will either be resumed at a later date or considered a no contest. It was disappointing to travel 6 hours roundtrip and not get an official game, but I'll take it for what it was. At least our guys got 45 minutes in a hostile environment with a team that was playing to win and not just playing defense hoping for counterattacks. Unfortunately, the first delay was caused by a storm cell that formed/popped up just east of the stadium. Even though it was moving away, they had to suspend the first time because of the close proximity of the lightning. In retrospect, I should say that fortunately it popped up east of the stadium. Could have been bad if it formed/popped up right on top of us with no warning. By the way, there was a decent turnout of Zips faithful, and we let our guys know we were there. Kudos to the long-time Zips alum who really made their presence known with their vocal support during play. (Interesting that I had to educate the Mountaineer mascot on the fact that WVU is in the Sun Belt conference for Men's soccer because the Big 12 doesn't have it. Lol)

Women's soccer beat Cleveland State after a two hour weather delay!

Let Martin call the 2nd Half?

You know Akron had to have written the teleprompter script. Why does Gruden avoid mentioning Dwight Smith? No way it’s just an accidental oversight.

Kamrin Oriol - 21/4/3, 40% 3PT Tahj Staveskie - 17/4/4, 37% 3PT That's a heckuva backcourt duo!

Or....Ace Ventura delivered it! Alrighty then!

I left at halftime. It's too dang hot. My take generally is, if Akron can clean up some mistakes and stay healthy, they will be a formidable MAC team in a month. I felt as a team they are more physical, especially in the secondary. They were short on speed compared to Wake, but when they had their chances they made some solid tackles. The Zips two big guys in the middle of the defensive line will be formidable against mac offensive lines. The offense wasn't great, but some guys made plays when they got their chances. I don't know. I think there is a lot to be optimistic about. Now the Zips just need to put it all together.

At least Broughton hasn't been awful.

out of curiosity i looked at the time of possession by quarter: 1st quarter 5:39 akron 9:21 WF 2nd quarter 7:59 Akron 7:01 WF 3rd quarter 6:48 Akron 8:12 WF Akron had it for 10 minutes in the fourth... the defense was on the field for a whole quarter for the first half which was a lot in that heat, but you can also see a steady progression by offense which was good too...

It certainly is.

good info from Coach Michael.....did not know about the 3 goal advantage

They went 4-9-1 last year. So, a 3-2 start is great progress.

On paper and in the stat sheet. Reality ... we got 45 minutes on the road against a good team that was pressing and playing to score / win. Morcky's assist and Paiva's goal are sadly erased from official records. However, valuable experience was gained. glass half full.

I feel OK with last night. -Aside from the Indiana game we blew, this has to be the most points we’ve scored against and only time we beat the spread against a P4 program under this staff. -We would seem to have multiple competent options at QB..who are only going to get better with more experience. CB is a great running threat, seems to be able to throw the ball accurately, and make smart decisions. Roggow was obviously great in his limited time. Poffenbarger who? - I don’t know where everyone stands from an injury standpoint, but I think it’s encouraging that a lot of young/new players seem to be getting snaps over players who have played in the past. To me that means we should be better and the staff does a good job developing the players who stay long enough to be developed. - Freshman (either true or redshirt) that I saw receiving significant playing time last night: CB, Luke Sivon, Tairan Davis, Daunte Curtis, Nate Hampton, Jonathan Gould, Vann Kavals. None stuck out to me as not holding their own. -Aside from CB taking himself out (hopefully nothing serious there), only other injuries I saw were cramps. Still seem healthy. - my biggest general concern is the defense after last night. DL didn’t get any pressure, but Durham was out and I think we know we have solid guys there. JoeMo raved about the DL in the pregame show. LB rotation should sort itself out pretty quickly. Both Donelius Johnson and Daunte Curtis look like they can be good players in that group. For the DBs, we know Catrell White, Flowers, the Branches, and Terence Thomas can perform in the MAC. -I didn’t see Omari Bivens get any playing time.

Akron's back up players were better than in recent years. That's another positive.

We will be going into October having played 1 road game. Really stupid no contest tonight

When was the last time we saw a backup QB look not just functional, but efficient? And that’s with being in there will all the backups.

UMass did upset Rutgers 37-21. First FBS win since 2024. Good for them. Fly the Flag! They might not be such a pushover this year.

Wake's back ups are MAC starters. I think Akron can do well in the MAC this year.

I also don't know, but it seems like it is dependent on where stays/injunctions have been issued.

Nope. One of Joe’s stubborn tendencies.

We can’t get under center on 3rd and inches?

I actually think he may be decent against MAC opponents, so there's something positive I'm taking from this game.

Meanwhile, UMass is up 27-7 at Rutgers midway through the 3rd quarter.

Lightning delay ...after 30 minutes of play Zips 1-0 on a great corner kick by Tyler Morck....and great finish by Matthew Paiva Brett Kaminski made a good save after the zips had scored. WVA has had good game plan and has possessed a lot of ball.

whole lot of untucked shirts out there

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The defense in general hasn't been that bad, but they can't overcome the offensive genius putting these Arthian offenses on the field.