West Virginia (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) struggled to keep up with No. 17 Kansas State (6-1, 3-1 Big 12), losing 45-18 in Morgantown. After a hard-fought first half, the Wildcats were able to open the game in the third quarter.

Kansas State struck early, taking advantage of a Garrett Greene interception to score a 44-yard field goal. The Wildcats quickly increased their lead with a 60-yard touchdown pass and a pick-six in the second quarter, although WVU responded with a touchdown to Hudson Clement. The Mountaineers had a chance to take another lead before halftime, but failed to score on a fourth down inside the KSU five-yard line, taking a 17-10 lead into the break.

Injuries also played a key role in the game, particularly to starting quarterback Garrett Greene. Greene did not return for the second half due to an upper-body injury after throwing two interceptions in the first. Substitute Nicco Marchiol took the lead but was unable to generate much offense as WVU’s first attack of the half went backwards.

The Wildcats pulled away in the second half when DJ Giddens added another Kansas State score with a 53-yard reception. Giddens, who had a season-low 57 rushing yards, still troubled the Mountaineers by adding two rushing touchdowns. West Virginia scored late with a touchdown pass from Marchiol to Traylon Ray, but it wasn’t enough as Kansas State secured the comfortable victory. The loss was WVU’s ninth straight against a ranked opponent.

Through the numbers

On offense, Garrett Greene led the Mountaineers with 85 passing yards and a touchdown, but also threw two costly interceptions, including a pick-six in the first half. Nicco Marchiol took over at quarterback after halftime and threw for 58 yards and a touchdown, but West Virginia’s passing game struggled to find its rhythm all night. Greene was also the team’s leading rusher, gaining 88 yards on 10 carries, while CJ Donaldson added 34 yards on 12 attempts. Despite moments of promise, WVU managed just 3.6 yards per carry as a team, and Kole Taylor led the receiving corps with 61 yards on four catches, although Traylon Ray and Hudson Clement each had a touchdown.

Defensively, the Mountaineers were unable to contain Kansas State’s explosive plays. Linebacker Josiah Trotter led WVU with eight total tackles and one tackle for loss, while Garnett Hollis Jr. added six tackles and another stop behind the line. The Mountaineers failed to record a sack and allowed several big plays, including a 53-yard pass in the third quarter that helped Kansas State pull away.

What’s next?

West Virginia travels to Tucson to face Arizona next Saturday, October 26th. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on FS1.