WVU Proves Too Much for Albany as Mountaineers Secure First Win of Season

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The atmosphere in Morgantown leading up to West Virginia’s game against Albany was different than it was when Penn State was in town for the season opener. But fortunately for WVU, the start and finish of the actual game was different, too.

After a bobbled kickoff return and an early penalty made fans worried they were about to witness another Saturday disappointment, Garrett Greene led the Mountaineers on a 90-yard touchdown drive. Sophomore running back Jahiem White found the end zone after accounting for almost half of the offensive production to put WVU up 7-0.

A week after struggling to ever obtain momentum, West Virginia kept the positive energy rolling throughout the whole game against the Great Danes.

WVU would then score again with five minutes left in the first quarter. By this point in the game, Greene already had 80 yards passing and 156 yards of total offense.

And conversely, the Mountaineer defense held Albany to only 11 yards overall through one quarter of play. Even while facing an FCS level opponent, West Virginia would continue to make a statement, trying to prove the team that showed up (or didn’t show up) on a national stage one week earlier is not truly indicative of this West Virginia team.

To that end, Greene flashed his arm early in the second quarter, finding Kole Taylor, his big-body tight end, for 39 yards and another West Virginia touchdown.

But late in the half, the WVU defense would begin to bend a bit, allowing Albany to go 10 plays and 87 yards for a touchdown of their own. It was then back up to Greene and company to steal the momentum away and head into the locker room on a high note.

However, White fumbled the ball away following. 36-yard run, injecting life into the road team. The Great Danes would take that energy into the end zone again, needing only six plays to continue their comeback effort.

The WVU offense quickly snatched back the hope from Albany, getting back up by two scores. Greene scored his first touchdown on the ground of the season, sprinting by multiple defenders into open space for a 40-yard run. West Virginia led 28-14 at the half.