Notebook: Wesco dabbles with passing, receivers forced to shuffle

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tight end Trevon Wesco made himself into an NFL prospect this season, but his final college game offered a chance to rewind back to his quarterback days at Musselman High.

Wesco threw a reverse pass that backup quarterback Trey Lowe dropped along the sideline. Late in the game, on a fourth-and-goal from the 6, Wesco caught a lateral and looked to throw again, but Syracuse had the pass covered. So Wesco tucked it and settled for a 3-yard gain.

“We had some fun with it,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. “The first one (to Lowe) was close, and the second one we were kind of in desperation mode, just trying to search for something.”

Receiver shakeup

The Mountaineers were without receiver Marcus Simms due to what a source described to MetroNews as a hamstring injury. Dana Holgorsen suggested Simms has not practiced since the Oklahoma game, ending the season with 46 catches for 699 yards and two scores.

“He hadn’t done anything since Oklahoma. He’s dealing with some things and he’s got to get right,” Holgorsen said.

The absence of Simms and fellow receiver Gary Jennings did provide some opportunities for their teammates, though.

T.J. Simmons was targeted a team-high nine times by Jack Allison and finished with six receptions for 64 yards. David Sills caught four passes for a team-high 90 yards. Walk-on Kwincy Hall made a major impact on his first career catch, hauling in a 42-yarder to convert a third down.

A clear target

When they make next year’s training video for college officials, safety Kenny Robinson’s hit against Syracuse receiver Taj Harris may well be the textbook model for targeting.

Robinson was ejected early in the second quarter after a late and unnecessary hit to Harris’ head. Harris was already on the ground after being tackled by Reese Donahue when Robinson dove into the play.

Robinson had played well prior to the play, intercepting an Eric Dungey pass in the first quarter.

Quotable

Dino Babers on upperclassmen who led Syracuse to first 10-win season since 2001: “Senior class is unbelievable. This senior class will be etched in stone. I’m not sure — I don’t want to say this with all the tax problems we’re having in this United States, but I’m not sure they’re going to pay for anything for the rest of their lives in the State of New York or anywhere close to Syracuse in the county. I mean, these guys really did some amazing, amazing things.”

— Alex Hickey contributed to this report





More Sports

Marshall Sports
Integrating new players, coaches a focus for Herd at start of spring practice
Head coach Charles Huff says learning who his team is a critical component of spring football.
March 28, 2024 - 8:47 am
High School Sports
Class AAA Boys Basketball All-State List
State champion Shady Spring lands two on first team, including captain Ammar Maxwell.
March 28, 2024 - 8:42 am
High School Sports
Montague & Nutter each drive in four runs as Morgantown rallies past University, 8-6
The Mohigans took their only lead of the game in the sixth inning with Caleb Nutter's 3-run double.
March 27, 2024 - 9:59 pm
Sports
Greene strives for improved accuracy through extra emphasis on fundamentals, mechanics
West Virginia quarterback Garett Greene felt he could've gotten more out of the 2023 season, and his completion percentage is a major reason why.
March 27, 2024 - 7:58 pm