West Virginia Falls to Arizona State in Close Battle

Morgantown, WV — West Virginia football team suffered a narrow defeat against Arizona State, losing 25-23 on Saturday. The Mountaineers, led by head coach Rich Rodriguez, are now 4-7 for the season.

Rodriguez emphasized the importance of film study in preparing for games, stating that both coaches and players must understand their opponents. This matchup was significant as the series between the two teams is now tied 1-1, with the last meeting in 2015 ending in a close 43-42 victory for West Virginia.

Kickoff for the game was set for 1 PM ET, broadcasted on TNT, TruTV, and HBOMAX, featuring J.B. Long as the play-by-play announcer. The odds favored Arizona State by 10.5 points.

This season marks the 133rd for West Virginia football, making it the winningest program in the Big 12 Conference and 15th in college football history. Rodriguez has amassed 194 career victories, ranking third among Power Four coaches. He holds the second spot on the all-time WVU win list with 64 wins.

The Mountaineers had a strong showing historically on November 15, with a record of 12-3, including a 6-2 record on the road. Rodriguez achieved his fifth true road game win against ranked opponents, tying him with Don Nehlen.

The Mountaineers showcased impressive offensive stats, having rushed for at least 150 yards in 99 games since 2012, with a total of 1,822 rushing yards this season. However, the game against Arizona State highlighted some struggles, particularly in the second half.

Next up for the Mountaineers is a critical game that will determine their bowl eligibility, as they have gone to bowl games 20 out of the last 23 years.