DALLAS — From Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and Derek Henry, to Texas standout Johnathan Gray and Oklahoma fab freshman Samaje Perine, the cadre of running backs who pummeled West Virginia in 2014 was lengthy.
The Mountaineers allowed 178.7 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry, ranking 74th nationally in both categories. For a defense that prided its progress in third-down stops and pass coverage, the inability to stuff the run was a sore spot.
Sure, some of these opposing running backs were studs who ran through a lot of defenses. Still, Gray’s only 100-yard game of the season came in a 33-16 win over West Virginia.