<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3t6x5R_0w0HtozW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3t6x5R_0w0HtozW00" width="2048" height="1364" ></figure>MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia led all Power Conference teams in rushing last season with an average of nearly 229 yards per game.A mix of running backs Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson and mobile quarterback Garrett Greene running behind a productive offensive line allowed that to happen, though after securing a ninth win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina, it was time for the group up front to move forward without a pair of standouts.Center Zach Frazier became a second-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers and has worked his way into a starting role since, while right tackle Doug Nester latched on with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent, before he was let go and then signed to the Steelers’ practice squad.With the Mountaineers having somewhat regularly utilized seven offensive linemen last season, there were still five with a wealth of experience returning. Left tackle Wyatt Milum, left guard Tomas Rimac, right guard Ja’Quay Hubbard, right tackle Nick Malone and center Brandon Yates were all back and at least somewhat proven.Perhaps the most significant adjustments were Malone assuming a more expanded role as a regular starter and Yates moving full time to center after having extensively played guard and tackle throughout his career, though he did play center during the bowl game in place of Frazier, who had suffered a significant injury in the regular season finale at Baylor.In last Saturday’s 38-14 victory at Oklahoma State, the WVU offensive line consistently won at the point of attack, and as a result, the Mountaineers rushed for 389 yards and produced a season-high 558 total yards on 81 plays in a convincing victory.“The chemistry in that room has been pretty good all year,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said. “Brandon Yates is getting more comfortable at center. That’s a tough position to play and there’s a ton of communication into it when a team has multiple fronts like Oklahoma State. You’re seeing the maturation of him at center and that’s helped the entire offensive line. I would say that as much as anything.“There was a lot of confidence in our plan last week, because we were able to do different things, but it was the same picture for the offensive line. Anytime you can do that, it gives them an advantage. As far as how they’ve prepared, that room has done it at a really high level the last couple years.”White’s season-high 158 rushing yards came on 19 carries, while Greene, fighting through a first-half injury suffered on a 39-yard run, added 86 yards on 10 attempts. Donaldson rushed for 77 yards and a par of touchdowns on 20 carries, while quarterback Nicco Marchiol was also an effective runner and totaled 46 yards on seven attempts.“That was the best we’ve ran the ball. It goes back to the preparation throughout the week, film study and the scout team,” Milum said. “It’s all of that combined and it led to a great game.”Milum is the most known commodity along the line, the Mountaineers’ lone selection to this year’s Preseason All-Big 12 Team and a likely top three round selection in next year’s NFL Draft.Against the Cowboys, Rimac’s play earned him praise from the WVU coaching staff and led to him being named the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Week.“He was the most productive. He got movement at the point of attack and played really well,” Brown said. “His best game this year so far.”After largely struggling in the season opener against Penn State, there’s been noticeable improvement since from West Virginia’s front, and the Mountaineer offense has 1,952 yards over the last four games, including no fewer than 398 in any contest.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3WzSyA_0w0HtozW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3WzSyA_0w0HtozW00" width="2048" height="1366" ><figcaption>Oct 5, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Jahiem White (1) runs the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the third quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>“Going back to last year’s bowl game, that’s basically our offensive line now,” Milum said. “I’ve been here with the same guys my whole college career. It’s been a building process. Our chemistry stays the same, because we’ve grown up together throughout college and we know how to work together.”The group even displayed its depth in the win at Oklahoma State with Yates being forced to exit the game during the second quarter due to an injury. Redshirt sophomore Landen Livingston spelled him with WVU leading 17-0 at the time, and the Mountaineers put together an eight play, 87-yard drive that was capped by Greene’s 15-yard touchdown run for the third of West Virginia’s four straight touchdown drives.“He did a nice nob. We talk about this a lot — next man up. You better be ready so you don’t have to get ready,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of examples of that. Landon goes in and we go on a touchdown drive. It wasn’t just one play. It was six, seven, eight plays, and he played and executed and did a nice job. We have confidence in him.”Milum could hardly sense a difference when Livingston briefly took over for Yates.“He communicated very well,” Milum said, “and we didn’t miss a step.”Next comes one of the more imposing challenges all season for the offensive line, which will have its work cut out at 8 p.m. Saturday when the Mountaineers welcome No. 11 Iowa State.The Cyclones are sixth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 10 points on average to lead all Big 12 teams. Iowa State is also tops in the conference in total defense as it allows less than 272 yards on average, including only 133.6 yards through the air to rank No. 5 among FBS teams.“It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re ready for it,” Milum said. “Focus on doing little things, attention to details and worry about doing our jobs. It’s going to be a great game and we can’t wait for Saturday night.”</div></body>

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Offensive line looks to build momentum following strong showing in win at Oklahoma State

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia led all Power Conference teams in rushing last season with an average of nearly 229 yards per game. A mix of running backs Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson and mobile quarterback Garrett Greene running behind a productive offensive line allowed that to happen, though after securing a ninth win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina, it was time for the group up front to move forward without a pair of standouts.

Offensive line looks to build momentum following strong showing in win at Oklahoma State

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