STILLWATER, Okla. – At the time it happened, one of the most momentous plays of West Virginia’s 45-41 loss didn’t feel all that significant.
Rolling out on a naked bootleg, Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier was stopped well short of a first down by Oklahoma State safety Malcolm Rodriguez on a third-and-1 call from the Oklahoma State 9-yard line.
West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital thought the play would be available for an easy first-down run or pass against Oklahoma State’s aggressive defensive ends, but the Cowboys had it diagnosed well.
“They played it a little different than what they showed,” Spavital said.