Gameday: Tight games forced defense to stick with starters

Like the bulk of West Virginia’s defensive starters, safeties Karl Joseph (8) and KJ Dillon haven’t left the field much this season.

 

AMES, Iowa — For all the preseason talk about West Virginia’s defensive depth, a succession of close games has prohibited the Mountaineers from using much of it.

So the unit that takes the field at Iowa State during Saturday’s regular-season finale will be familiar, but a little more fatigued, than their coaches prefer.

Safeties Karl Joseph, Dravon Henry and K.J. Dillon have scarcely missed any meaningful snaps all season. The same goes for Mike linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski and defensive end Noble Nwachukwu, while nose guard Kyle Rose has exited only during some pass-rushing downs that allowed for situational packages.

“Every game except Kansas and Towson has been a battle,” said coordinator Tony Gibson, who relies on position coaches to sub in fresh players when situations allow. Thing is, those situations have been rare.

“They’re not going to put their kids in a situation where, oh man, if you blow a coverage, we’re in trouble,” Gibson said. “If we’re in one-score games, you’re going to stick with what got you there.

“If we had gotten up by 14 or 21, we would have played some more guys. But we haven’t had that luxury.”

One positive factor has influenced the starters playing such a volume of snaps: Unlike 2013’s injury rash, the unit has remained largely healthy.

Sam linebacker Wes Tonkery sat out the Maryland game but has rarely left the field otherwise. The Will linebacker spot has become the domain of Edward Muldrow and Shaq Petteway after Brandon Golson moved to defensive end.

The most significant injury impacted senior defensive end Dontrill Hyman (knee), who missed two entire games and has been dramatically limited in three others.

The starting cornerbacks have been reliable. Terrell Chestnut missed the second half of the Baylor game with a concussion that also sidelined him at Oklahoma State. Daryl Worley missed two games while suspended for an assault investigation.

While Gibson would have preferred more backup-friendly situations, the WVU defense is averaging five fewer snaps per game this season compared to 2013.

West Virginia (6-5, 4-4) at Iowa State (2-8, 0-7)

Kickoff: Saturday, noon Eastern (Fox Sports 1)

Radio: Nine hours of coverage begins at 9 a.m. on MetroNews affiliates across West Virginia

Line: West Virginia -12

What’s at stake: For West Virginia, the chance to end a three-game slide and begin bowl preparations with an improved mindset. The Cyclones, meanwhile, are honoring their seniors in the season’s final home game, so it’s pure pride.

Trickett or Howard? Dana Holgorsen said Clint Trickett will start at quarterback if he’s cleared from last week’s concussion—but that’s a huge if. Skyler Howard certainly gives WVU a viable alternative after sparking a 300-yard second half vs. K-State once Trickett left the game.

The receivers don’t sound worried about the uncertainty, recalling how last season’s quarterback uncertainty became almost a weekly occurrence.

“We went through it last year, so we’re used to it now,” said Daikiel Shorts. “We just get reps with everybody in practice, so the timing is pretty good.”

As expected, Trickett made the trip to Ames. That’s not necessarily telling, because he traveled to Kansas last year when he was ruled out for a concussion. What is telling: Coaches say Trickett will go through warmups and game-time decision.

Bibbs questionable: In a league where tight ends are rarely featured anymore, Iowa State’s E..J. Bibbs stands out. He has been productive in the red-zone—with eight touchdown grabs that rank second in the Big 12—and his 45 receptions lead all power-5 tight ends.

Drawing comparisons to former Texas Tech All-American Jace Amaro, the 6-foot-3, 264-pound Bibbs remains questionable for Senior Day with a leg injury suffered last weekend. West Virginia is preparing to face him.

“He’s a tight end that plays everywhere. He lines up at X, Z, Y,” Gibson said. “He’s a really good player, and the kid’s going to be a draft pick. He creates matchup problems.”

Rhoads on the hotseat? After leading Iowa State to three bowl games in four years, Paul Rhoads has gone 5-17 the past two seasons. Even for a program that has modest expectations, some wonder if he’ll survive another season.

Charting the crowd: Last week’s announced attendance at Jack Trice Stadium was 50,877 for ISU-Texas Tech, but a Des Moines Register columnist estimated the crowd to be only 35,000.

Given the Cyclones’ abysmal record and the convergence of the Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday’s crowd could be equally underwhelming. For its part, West Virginia only sold about 300 tickets.







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