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TCU heads to Morgantown on Saturday to face off against No. 12 West Virginia, in a game that is essentially the inverse of their game a season ago. I’ll have more on that in tomorrow’s game preview, but for now, here are five names you need to know when it comes to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Skyler Howard, QB
Howard has really blossomed this season as the leader of the Mountaineers offense. He looks confident and collected all the time, and it has showed in his stats. Howard has completed 66.1% of his passes on the season for just under 1,600 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s seriously improved in the passing game, as his completion percentage marks a career high (in 2015 Howard completed 54.8% of his passes).
However, his dual-threat ability is what really makes him lethal. Howard already has 195 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 44 carries this season.
Justin Crawford, RB
The JUCO transfer has been dominant through the first five games, rushing for 378 yards and three touchdowns, at a 5.6 yards per carry clip. He’s had a rushing touchdown in each of West Virginia’s past two games, but he suffered an ankle injury against Texas Tech.
Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen noted that it shouldn’t keep Crawford from playing against TCU, but it’s something to keep an eye on as Frog fans.
Rushel Shell, RB
Shell is the other part of West Virginia’s fantastic rushing offense, and he leads the team in carries (72) and rushing touchdowns (5) on the season. Shell has two games with multiple rushing touchdowns so far this season, and could take advantage of what has been a lackluster run defense for the Frogs through the first six games.
Kyzir White, S
The younger brother of Chicago Bears wide receiever, and former Mountaineer, Kevin White, Kyzir has stepped in in his first season on campus and been a force at safety. White transferred from Lackawanna College back in May, but he has picked up the defense quickly, and is currently second on the team in tackles (29), and tied for second in tackles for loss (3) and sacks (1).
Rasul Douglas, CB
Douglas is making a name for himself in his first season as a starter for the Mountaineers. Douglas is tied for the team-lead with four pass breakups and two interceptions. Douglas and White are a part of a West Virginia secondary that allows just 250 passing yards per game, and has given up just six passing touchdowns all season.