We saw a preemptive adjustment from West Virginia Saturday in advance of the next four opponents and the spread offenses Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU like to use. Shaq Riddick started at defensive end and Ed Muldrow started at Sam linebacker, and the latter moved Brandon Golson to situational defensive end. It was a test drive, but it’s going with the Mountaineers as they move forward.

“We had time during part of the off week, and I didn’t alert you for obvious reasons because we were preparing for an opponent and we didn’t want to tip them off,” Holgorsen said. “But moving forward, it’s something we’re interested in doing more.”

WVU only has seven sacks this season and the one by Wes Tonkery against Kansas came after a bad snap on third-and-4. Saturday’s experiment should make WVU more potent, which is needed.

Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU are spread offenses and send four or five receivers on a majority of the pass plays. WVU has to commit linebackers and defensive backs to covering the pass, but can’t give the quarterbacks time to watch the coverage deteriorate or to let receivers freelance. That means relying on the defensive line to create pressure.

“Brandon’s very explosive,” defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Tony Gibson said. “I think he gives us the best chance to get pressure on the quarterback when we only rush three or four.”