West Virginia secured a thrilling 32-28 victory over Kansas in their Big 12 opener on Saturday, with Garrett Greene's 15-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Gallagher in the final seconds proving to be the game-winning play. The Mountaineers, who improved to 2-2 on the season, displayed resilience by overcoming an 11-point deficit and enduring a lengthy lightning delay.
Coach Neal Brown praised his team's ability to finish strong despite not playing their best game offensively. The victory was a much-needed redemption after a heartbreaking loss to Pittsburgh the previous week.
The game's outcome hinged on a crucial play by West Virginia's Tyrin Bradley, who stripped the ball from Kansas' Jalon Daniels in the closing seconds to seal the win. Bradley's heroics included a key interception earlier in the game, marking the team's first of the season.
Despite Kansas appearing to be in control late in the game, West Virginia mounted a remarkable comeback led by Greene. The quarterback orchestrated two late touchdown drives, including the game-winning pass to Gallagher. Hudson Clement's standout performance with seven receptions for 150 yards also contributed to the Mountaineers' offensive success.
Greene's dual-threat ability was on full display as he threw for 295 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 87 yards and another score. Brown commended Greene's competitiveness and leadership in guiding the team to victory.
On the defensive side, West Virginia's Aubrey Burks left the game with an upper body injury but received positive medical updates post-game. Kansas, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive loss, highlighting their struggles after a promising start to the season.
Looking ahead, West Virginia faces a challenging schedule with upcoming games against ranked opponents, while Kansas aims to bounce back against TCU in their next matchup. The Mountaineers will have a week off before facing No. 14 Oklahoma State in early October.
