WVU freshman QB Scotty Fox shines despite 23-17 loss to TCU
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WCHS) — The West Virginia Mountaineers returned to action at Milan-Puskar Stadium on Saturday night, donning their "Coal Rush"uniforms and hosting the TCU Horned Frogs in hopes to snap a four-game skid.
It was not meant to be for WVU, as the losing streak extended to five in a 23-17 loss to the Horned Frogs.
The game was the second consecutive start for freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr., who showed measured improvement compared to his first start in the previous game against UCF.
Fox ended the game going 28/41 for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Fox's 301 passing yards is a WVU record for freshman quarterbacks. Jeff Weimer and Grayson Barnes were the two receivers who hauled in Fox's touchdown passes..
While WVU found great success in the air, rushing was at its weakest. The Horned Frogs held WVU to just 41 rushing yards, and that's including Fox's stat line of -14 rushing yards – without that, the Mountaineers still only had 55 yards on the ground.
"The kid battled and competed," WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez said of Fox. "But you ain't gonna win the game when you're running for [41] yards, you kidding me?"
WVU was behind all game, falling 10-0 after the first quarter and 20-7 at the half. After only notching a field goal in the third quarter, the Mountaineers scored a touchdown late and attempted to recover an onside kick, but TCU stood firm and held on for the six-point victory.
TCU QB Josh Hoover went 24/39 for 247 yards with just one passing touchdown, which went to Eric McAlister. Trent Battle led the way in rushing, rushing 19 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.
The Mountaineers fall to 2-6 on the season and 0-5 in Big 12 conference play. Meanwhile the TCU Horned Frogs keep themselves in the thick of Big 12 contention, moving to 6-2 on the year and 3-2 in Big 12 conference play.
TCU is off this coming week, but will return to action on Nov. 8 at home against Iowa State. That game's kick off has not yet been determined. WVU will hit the road to face No. 22 Houston at TDECU Stadium. That game is slated to kickoff on Saturday at noon. Television coverage can be found on FOX Sports 1.
