FORT WORTH, Texas — The superlatives from a sun-splashed Saturday at TCU, where West Virginia pulled out a 30-27 win in overtime:
Worst $164-million thank-you: Since last year’s remodeling project transformed Amon G. Carter Stadium into a football showplace, the Horned Frogs have gone 1-7 at home.
Best dig at the media: When Clint Trickett’s postgame euphoria was interrupted by questions about his two interceptions, he cracked, “Nobody has said anything about anything good. West Virginia writers, I love it.”
Best compliment paid to Trickett: Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said the junior quarterback proved himself resilient in leading WVU back from a first-half hole. “The one thing about that kid is he stays the same. There’s been some frustrations offensively this year, but he has keep pressing forward. I never felt uncomfortable with him out there mentally
Worst feeling it might be 2012 all over again: WVU cornerback Icky Banks getting beaten by Josh Doctson for a 37-yard juggling catch in the first quarter. “Had to tip my hat to him, because he made a hell of a play,” Banks said. “But I told everybody he ain’t going to be making one-handed catches all game.”
Best redemption for 2012: Banks picked off Casey Pachall in the third quarter with West Virginia trailing 17-13. “I don’t know if he saw me or not, or I don’t know if he just thought he could get it over top of me,” Banks said. “I just saw the ball and attacked it.”
Worst disrespect for WVU’s defense: Pachall trying to explain how TCU could rip off scoring drives of 67, 80 and 67 yards early in the game and then go scoreless on its next eight consecutive possessions. “It was us getting complacent and not having the same intensity we had the first few drives.”
Worst disespect for TCU’s offense: West Virginia playing most of the day with five defensive backs as Pachall attempted 58 passes. “We didn’t think they could run the ball on us,” said Mountaineers defensive coordinator Keith Patterson. “I thought we could basically whip ’em up front.”
Strongest leg: Jaden Oberkrom missing wide left on a 62-yard try that would have been the seventh-longest field goal in FBS history (third-longest without a tee).
Most accurate leg: Josh Lambert making kicks of 24, 42 and 34 yards—the final of which ended the game in overtime. He now has made nine consecutive field-goal attempts dating back to the third quarter against Oklahoma State in Week 5.
Best day for a receiver: TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin moved back to wideout and netted 100 yards on 11 catches, the most for a TCU receiver since 1995.
Worst day for a receiver: West Virginia starter Ronald Carswell was suspended for a violation of team rules and his status remains unclear for next week’s Texas game.
Best bet for WVU in the postseason: If the Mountaineers avoid a calamitous slip-up against Iowa State and Kansas, thy could be bound for Houston and the Texas Bowl.