Want to know how bad things are going for West Virginia?
Coach Rich Rodriguez said there’s a chance that walk-on quarterback Scott Kean could get practice reps ahead of Saturday night’s Big 12 Conference date with TCU in Morgantown, W.Va.
Rodriguez isn’t sure if Khalil Wilkins will be able to play after being knocked out of last week’s 45-13 loss at UCF. Wilkins, Scotty Fox and wide receiver Cam Vaughn combined to complete only 11 of 28 passes for 79 yards.
Fox, who became the first true freshman to start under center for the Mountaineers (2-5, 0-4 Big 12) since Fred Wyant did it in 1952, might make it two starts in a row. Injuries and ineffective play have forced Rodriguez to use four different starters in four conference games, all of them one-sided losses.
“Our training staff has been too busy,” Rodriguez said. “Our (injury) list continues to grow. It’s bad luck of the draw, so to speak, but it gives opportunities to other guys.”
While West Virginia hopes for better health, the Horned Frogs (5-2, 2-2) look to become bowl-eligible.
TCU held on last week for a 42-36 home win over Baylor, which scored twice in the last 3:08 and recovered an onside kick to give itself a chance before Namdi Obiazor intercepted a pass with 13 seconds remaining.
TCU coach Sonny Dykes was willing to overlook the sloppy finish after his team put together another solid performance.
“These guys are successful, and they know what they’re doing,” he said. “They know how to win. They’ve won a lot of football games. Our players have played well consistently, and they deserve credit for doing that.”
Josh Hoover has fueled the offense, throwing for 2,124 yards and 21 touchdowns in seven games. Four receivers have caught at least 21 passes, with Eric McAlister averaging 21.5 yards on 28 catches and scoring seven times.
The Mountaineers own an 8-5 lead in the all-time series, including a 24-21 triumph when the teams last met two years ago in Fort Worth, Texas.
