MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — His relief appearance produced West Virginia’s only two touchdowns of the game Thursday night, but Skyler Howard didn’t deliver what he wanted most: A win for his senior teammates.
One of those seniors, quarterback Clint Trickett, suffered a midgame concussion that forced Howard into his first extended action as a Mountaineer. The junior college transfer sparked the offense to life in the second half, throwing for 198 yards in what became a 26-20 loss to 12th-ranked Kansas State.
After throwing a 7-yard touchdown to Kevin White, Howard watched Mario Alford turn a short catch into a 53-yard score.
“He went in there and didn’t bat an eye,” said coach Dana Holgorsen, suggesting Howard may get a chance to start next week at Iowa State regardless of Trickett’s diagnosis. “He was confident and comfortable and his communication was perfect.”
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who extended the first FBS scholarship offer to Howard last fall, described the backup as “a gamer” who lifted West Virginia’s spirits after entering the game trailing 20-3.
“He had some energy and some hop to him. He gave us a chance to win the game.”
Howard noticed Trickett “was a little fuzzy” after throwing a third-quarter interception, though coaches suggested the injury likely occurred when Trickett made a lunging tackle on an interception at the end of the first half.
That left the game to Howard, who was targeted for a redshirt season last summer before being elevated to No. 2 when freshman William Crest suffered a shoulder injury. “Ever since I was named the No. 2 quarterback I’ve been ready,” said Howard, who completed 15-of-23 passes and made a 16-yard scramble to extend one scoring drive.
As it turned out, West Virginia needed one more scoring drive.
“The thing that sticks in my head is the seniors—this was their last game here and I really wanted to pull it out for them,” Howard said. “I love those guys. I grind with those guys, and I feel bad I didn’t pull it out.”