West Virginia

WVSports – What returns for West Virginia football on offense in 2024?

Published

1 month ago

May 20, 2024

WVSports – What returns for West Virginia football on offense in 2024?

West Virginia finished the season 9-4 in 2023 and it is a big year for the football program for many different seasons.

So WVSports.com takes a look at just how much the Mountaineers have set to return in 2024 in regard to both snaps and production on the offensive side of the ball.

So, what do the Mountaineers have coming back?

–West Virginia will return 15 of the top 20 players from last season on offense in terms of snaps played last season. That list includes No. 2 OL Brandon Yates (794 snaps), No. 3 OL Wyatt Milum (753 snaps), No. 4 QB Garrett Greene (738 snaps), No. 5 TE Kole Taylor (704 snaps), No.6 OL Tomas Rimac (690 snaps), No. 9 WR Traylon Ray (452 snaps), No. 10 OL Ja’Quay Hubbard (432 snaps), No. 11 RB CJ Donaldson (426 snaps), No. 12 WR Preston Fox (423 snaps), No. 13 OL Nick Malone (417 snaps), No. 14 TE Treylan Davis (381 snaps), No. 15 WR Hudson Clement (370 snaps), No. 16 RB Jahiem White (275 snaps), No. 17 WR Rodney Gallagher (269 snaps) and No. 18 QB Nicco Marchiol (206 snaps).

–The Mountaineers will not have No. 1 OL Zach Frazier (806 snaps), No. 7 OL Doug Nester (663 snaps), No. 8 WR Devin Carter (498 snaps), No. 19 WR E.J. Horton (165 snaps) and No. 20 WR Cortez Braham (151 snaps).

–West Virginia will return all of the 2,674 yards that were thrown by quarterbacks will return for the 2024 season. That is a significant difference than the 20-percent the year before between redshirt junior Garrett Greene and redshirt freshman Nicco Marchiol. It goes without saying that all 18 passing touchdowns will be back.

–The Mountaineers rushed for 2,976 yards this past season and the bulk of that is set to return with only Justin Johnson exiting through the transfer portal and vacating 38 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown and DJ Oliver leaving the team vacating 12 carries for 47 yards and a score. As for the rest of the running back room, 1,787 of the rushing yards will return and perhaps even more importantly 30 of the 32 rushing touchdowns on the season will be back in the backfield.

Related: Exploring the remaining areas of need for West Virginia football

–The rushing production at quarterback also was significant in 2023 with Greene rushing for 772 rushing yards and Marchiol with 133 yards. That is due back.

–The Mountaineers only had 1,981 receiving yards at the wide receiver spot but will return 1,243 of that with the only significant loss being Devin Carter (501 yards). That percentage is even better with 9 of the 12 touchdowns due back.

–Tight end will return all of the production in each category at tight end with Kole Taylor returning as the leading receiver with 35 catches for 444 yards and tied for the team lead with 4 touchdowns. Treylan Davis was used more as a blocker but brings 2 catches for 2 yards. That means all 37 catches for 446 yards and 4 scores will be back.

–The only spot that is hit with significant departures is on the offensive line as West Virginia will lose Frazier and Nester, two players who accounted for 1,469 snaps and started every game that they were healthy. But behind them, the Mountaineers bring back quite a bit with a combined 3,086 snaps combined set to return.

–You don’t replace players like Frazier and Nester easily, but the Mountaineers are coming off a season where the offensive line permitted just 10 sacks and the new group allowed just 35 pressures on the season.

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West Virginia

West Virginia organizations receive generous donation to support community programs

Published

5 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

West Virginia organizations receive generous donation to support community programs

OHIO VALLEY (WTRF) — It was a generous donation that will benefit two local organizations in a big way.

On Friday, the Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund presented two checks totaling $10,000.

That money was split between the Appalachian Christmas Project and Ohio Valley Young Life.

The Young Life Organization serves teen parents and underprivileged and disabled children throughout the area.

The Appalachian Christmas Project offers hope and encouragement to area seniors, veterans, and the homeless. They distribute personal hygiene items to individuals, service agencies, and drug rehab centers.

We are so thankful for all of the generosity of the Jaycee’s fund. Young Life has been serving the Ohio Valley for over 50 years. We are using this for general programing, mentoring for teen parents and their children and disabled middle and high school students.”
Sean McCartney, Area Director, Young Life

We serve other areas as well. Anywhere from locally into Kentucky. But this is designated money for Ohio and Marshall County and I’m just thankful we have it because we serve so many in these two counties as well.”
Diane Reineke Stout, CEO Appalachian Christmas Project

Last year the Appalachian Christmas Project serves over 1,000 people in Ohio County and over 800 in Marshall County.

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West Virginia

Oglebay Welcomes Newest Almost Heaven Swing

Published

12 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Oglebay Welcomes Newest Almost Heaven Swing

Visitors encouraged to complete summer bucket list for a chance to win a free fall getaway

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The West Virginia Department of Tourism, in partnership with Oglebay and Wheeling Park Commission, has announced a new Almost Heaven swing located in the state’s northern panhandle.

This swing is perched upon the scenic mountains of Oglebay, just off the Susan Wheeler Walking Trail on the western side of the arboretum.

“We are proud to participate in this West Virginia Tourism-led initiative, generously supported by a gift from Cindy and Chris Freeman,” said Oglebay Marketing Director Wendy Hodorowski. “The swing is located to showcase one of the park’s most amazing views, which will undoubtedly become a social media moment that generates both statewide and national attention for Oglebay Park.”

There are now more than 20 Almost Heaven photo-op swings available throughout the state, making it easy for travelers to check off this adventure on the West Virginia Summer Bucket List.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #AlmostHeaven.

“Visiting the newest Almost Heaven swing location in Wheeling is the perfect way to start checking off your West Virginia Summer Bucket List,”said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “Our summer bucket list will make your travel planning easier and offers an opportunity to win a free autumn getaway.”

Oglebay encompasses more than 2,000 acres of year-round activities including a golf course, pool, zoo, walking trails, Bissonnette Gardens, horseback riding, on-site restaurants and more.

To view the 2024 West Virginia Summer Bucket List and begin checking off your adventures, visit wvtourism.com/summer-bucket-list. For a complete list of swing locations, click here.

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West Virginia

14-year-old West Virginia boy bitten by shark in North Carolina

Published

19 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

14-year-old West Virginia boy bitten by shark in North Carolina

Why and how often do shark attacks happen?

Why do shark attacks happen and how common are they?

06:41

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 14-year-old boy from West Virginia was bitten by a shark as he was swimming at a beach in North Carolina.

Blayne Brown of Cabell County, West Virginia, was bit on the leg and ankle by a shark at Topsail Beach Access No. 4 in Pender County, North Carolina, on Sunday, The Herald-Dispatch reported. The boy was reportedly swimming in waist-deep water at around noon with a friend when he was bitten. Brown was about 30 or 40 feet away from the shore, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper reported that beachgoers helped provide medical attention to the teen before first responders arrived and took him to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.

“I didn’t know what it was,” he told The Herald-Dispatch. “I just felt something that hurt a lot.”

He underwent surgery and a specialist was brought in because the injury was more extensive than doctors originally thought, the newspaper reported.

Brown returned home to West Virginia on Tuesday, though his mother said he may need another surgery.

The Associated Press reported that there were 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide last year, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.

Michael Guise

Michael Guise is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh who has worked for KDKA-TV since 2019.

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