Dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene among key players back from 9-win season

Editor’s note: Sixth in a 12-part series previewing each of Iowa State’s 2024 regular-season opponents.

AMES — West Virginia football coach Neal Brown not only saved his job, but also established goodwill after guiding the Mountaineers to their first season featuring nine wins or more since 2016.

West Virginia is poised to build off of that in 2024 — and will get to face Matt Campbell’s Cyclones in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers are loaded on offense. Dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene (29 total touchdowns, four interceptions) returns, as do top running backs C.J. Donaldson and Jaheim White. That duo combined for 1,640 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns last season, making it one of the most potent in the Big 12 — although Donaldson has been injury-prone. Greene led West Virginia in rushing touchdowns with 13 last season, but he completed just 53 percent of his passes.

West Virginia must replace leading receiver Devin Carter, but the addition of Oklahoma State’s Jaden Bray via the transfer portal — along with a long list of talented returners — should help in that regard.

The Mountaineers’ offensive line is one of the best units in the Big 12. Senior tackle Wyatt Milum is the program’s lone preseason all-conference selection by the media.

So does West Virginia have a weakness? Possibly. The defense needed to rebuild at cornerback via the transfer portal and was middling last season (64th in scoring defense nationally, 68th in total defense). The Mountaineers led the league in sacks last season with 33 and should boast a strong pass rush again.

Iowa State vs. West Virginia: 3 things to watch

1. Can the Cyclones’ offense achieve balance? West Virginia’s defense was marginally better against the run than the pass last season and features playmakers at each level. ISU will need a blend of solid runs from Abu Sama and company and big passing connections from Rocco Becht and his cohort of pass catchers in order to keep up on the scoreboard.

2. How will ISU’s defense contain Greene? The Mountaineers are adept at springing big plays in the run game, so keeping Greene off balance will be critically important if the Cyclones want to have a chance to win this one. His inaccuracy through the air is offset by his efficiency (16 passing touchdowns to just four interceptions last season). Staying gap sound while still applying a strong pass rush will be key, as Greene is capable of breaking off runs of 10 yards or more frequently.

3. How does ISU’s defensive line find a way to thrive? The Cyclones are deep up front on the defensive side of the ball, but stars must emerge from that group. Seniors such as Joey Peterson and J.R. Singleton may be poised to take that next step, as are juniors Tyler Onyedim and Domonique Orange. Sprinkle in talented transfer edge rusher Kenard Snyder and others (including redshirt freshman Zaimir Hawk), and ISU’s D-line should at least hold its own against West Virginia’s burly offensive front.

Iowa State vs. West Virginia: 2024 prognosis

This matchup will likely come down to a key series or two. The team that commits the fewest turnovers will win in a game that should remain close into the final minutes.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Applications are now open for the 2024/25 West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program.

This program supports traditional artists and their apprentice in a year-long apprenticeship in a variety of traditional art forms.

Apprenticeships may include those in traditional music, dance, foodways, storytelling and more in any cultural community in the state, officials said.

Artists and apprentices must apply for the funds together.

West Virginia Folklife will award $3,000 to support the teaching artist and $800 to the apprentice. They may also request an additional $400 to cover expenses such as documentation or public presentation supplies, necessary tools and/or travel.

Applications for the program opened July 1st and will close on August 26th. Winners will be notified in October of this year.

To apply, visit https://wvfolklife.org/folklife-apprenticeship-program/.

Copyright 2024 WDTV. All rights reserved.

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Skydivers were jumping out of planes to the sounds of an eager crowd, waiting for them to do it again. It’s just the way the West Virginia Skydivers celebrate the 4th of July.

For skydiver Todd Crawford, he said skydiving is symbolic of Independence Day.

“One of the things that we think is most important about freedom is that really kind of embodies that is the spirit of aviation and the freedom it all symbolizes,” Crawford said.

Crawford and other divers with the West Virginia Divers kick off the night by jumping out a plane, holding both the American and the West Virginia State flag.

“We absolutely love doing this, this is what we all love, I’m all about it,” Crawford said.

The night, also brought some to tears in the past since the event not only has skydivers but, one of the jumps includes the flags and the Star Spangled Banner.

“It’s pretty exceptional,” said Christy Boster. “It’s really cool when they play the national anthem and they come down with the flag. It means a lot especially being a mom to two service members, and my husband was also in the service so it’s extra special on the Fourth of July.”

Boster was at the event, watching her son and husband take to the sky and making the holiday extra special.

“It is absolutely a blast. I love it, this is my place to come. I just, think it’s laidback, but also there’s a lot of people here but, it’s very laidback. You’ll see kids running around, dancing, having a good time,” Boster said.

Kids running to candy after the plane passes over a field for kids to take part made the day special, too.

Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.