COMMENTARY
MANHATTAN, Kan. — For Skyler Howard, gutsy but gimpy was not a winning combination.
Twice during the fourth period, the quarterback’s legs (or rather, leg) failed him on critical possession downs. A third-and-5 option keeper from the Kansas State 11 gained zilch and forced West Virginia into a consolation field goal. When Dana Holgorsen tried the same play again under more desperate circumstances—fourth-and-1 with 2:28 left—Howard again bounced outside but didn’t make it back to the line.
The hurting commenced on Saturday’s opening series when two sacks left Howard with what Holgorsen feared to be a broken ankle.