MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Toyous Avery’s smashing hit on Jarrett Guarantano let loose plenty of pent-up energy, not to mention the Tennessee quarterback’s helmet. The iconic defensive play from West Virginia’s 40-14 win in Charlotte became a breakthrough for the senior slowed by injury last season.
“I think we watched that play about 15 or 20 times on Sunday,” said Mountaineers safeties coach Matt Caponi. “It made Toyous feel good to get one of those pops.”
On a third-and-14 near midfield, WVU showed its dime package but blitzed seven defenders. Avery timed it perfectly from his Bandit safety spot, racing untouched off the right edge and barely beating defensive end Jabril Robinson to the quarterback.