The Mountaineers are already on their third punter!

Tyler Bitancurt, who had his seventh career field goal blocked in the first quarter, had his first college punt partially blocked in the second. He hadn’t punted in a game since he was a high school senior in 2007.

Who knows if this will stick, but I’d wager to say WVU has talked itself into trusting Bitancurt. And really, why not? After his issues against Texas, he stepped in and made two significant field goals in the second quarter. The coaches have seen Corey Smith and Michael Molinari goof up for a season and a half now without righting their respective ships.

Bitancurt doesn’t know if the job will remain his, but he doesn’t mind it, either. He said there’s no physical toll and he likes the added responsibility.

“I feel like it keeps me focused more,” he said. “In the game now, it’s not like, ‘Oh, this could be a punting situation. I’m not going in.’ They threw me out there for just field goals before, so this keeps me in the game. Mentally, it’s better for me.”