Redshirt senior safety Eain Smith blocked a field goal as time expired and West Virginia escaped with a 24-21 victory against No. 23 Cincinnati Saturday.
The energy on defense and special teams lifted the Mountaineers in a game that had several big plays by both teams.
“It was a low-projected ball. I saw it come off his foot, got my hands up and blocked it. We won the game,” Smith said. “It was the best feeling to block that kick and come out with the win and beat the best team in the Big East.”
It was the first blocked field goal by a WVU player since 2004.
West Virginia also got a field goal of its own blocked during the game, but was able to make a few key plays at the right times to come out on top.
Junior running back Shawne Alston scored the game-winning touchdown with just under nine minutes left to play. He took the ball from the one-yard line and put his head down as he ran into the end zone.
The rushing touchdown was Alston’s eighth of the season and his sixth touchdown in the last four games.
“I’m honored the coaches and my teammates have enough trust in me to give me the ball when the game is on the line down at the goal line,” Alston said. “So I just try to do my best to respond every time they put me in those situations.”
The WVU defense gained momentum on a 4th-and-goal play in the first quarter when Cincinnati senior quarterback Zach Collaros was still in the game. The Bearcats on the two-yard line and Collaros rushed, but was stuffed by Miller and Keith Tandy.
Cincinnati then took a blow when Collaros went down with a right leg injury in the second quarter and did not return.
The Mountaineers gained a 10-point lead on the play in which Collaros was injured when the defense created pressure and forced Collaros to fumble in the end zone. Senior defensive lineman Julian Miller recovered the fumble in the end zone, giving West Virginia a 17-7 advantage.
Cincinnati sophomore quarterback Munchie Legaux replaced Collaros, and gave the Bearcats a boost of energy with a 65-yard run in the second quarter followed by a seven-yard touchdown run.
West Virginia’s defense was able to mostly contain him the rest of the game. Legaux finished with 144 yards passing, 89 yards rushing and a score.
“I think doing what you’re supposed to do really helps you win games,” said West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel. “The kids played hard. Sometimes we don’t tackle very well, and it gets us in trouble, but we found a way to win.”
Cincinnati senior running back Isaiah Pead rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns – including one scored on a 40-yard run in the first quarter.
Junior quarterback Geno Smith completed 29 of 43 passes – throwing for 372 yards and one touchdown – even with the five sacks by the Bearcats defense.
Senior receiver Tavon Austin gained 249 all-purpose yards in the game, including 126 receiving yards on nine catches.
The Mountaineers displayed high amounts of energy on all three sides of the ball throughout the game – something the team had been talking about all week
“I was really proud of how the team came together, played four quarters and got excited when things happened,” said head coach Dana Holgorsen.
“This was a classic example of just trying to find a way to win.”