The first was a long ball from midfield that was picked off by AJ Parker on the opening series at the Kansas State 6-yard line.
“We were trying to take a shot with a speed guy early in the game and there ended up being a little miscommunication,” Grier said. “But it ended up being a nice punt. And our defense responded to bail us out.”
The score was already out of reach at 35-3 when he threw the second interception, which was picked off when Jonathan Durham jumped an out-route intended for David Sills.
Simms makes K-State pay
When Marcus Simms curled in for a 14-yard catch in the first quarter, he set the bait for the next play.
That’s when Parker bit on a Simms double-move, opening the gate to an 82-yard touchdown.
“We had many discussion about how they were playing so much soft man that we needed to hit the underneath routes until we felt they were going to be jumping things,” said offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.
It was a career-long catch for Simms, who enjoyed his second consecutive 100-plus receiving performance.
A rare blowout
Saturday’s 35-6 win marked West Virginia’s widest margin of victory against Kansas State in the nine-game series history.
The last four games have been nailbiters decided by less than a touchdown. WVU’s only blowout of the Wildcats took place the first time the teams met — a 23-6 West Virginia win at Old Mountaineer Field in 1930.
“We’ve been ins some wars with Kansas State, and I fully expected this one to be the same,” said WVU coach Dana Holgorsen. “For us to be able to play like that on all three sides, I’m very happy with that. Kansas State, they don’t lose like that.”
WVU offense overcomes injuries
Redshirt freshman Alec Sinfkield did not dress Saturday, still recovering from the lower leg injury he sustained against Youngstown State two weeks ago.
Tight end Jovani Haskins only played the first two series. He converted a third-and-5 catch but at the end of the 15-yard gain he was belted by K-State free safety Eli Walker. Haskins remained in the game for one more snap before coming to the sideline and eventually making his way to the locker room.
— Allan Taylor contributed to this article.