A game that was much closer than anticipated leaves many Mountaineer fans scratching their heads.

The past two weeks of lopsided scores in non-conference play may have covered up some of West Virginia’s shortcomings, but they were exposed Saturday in the opening Big 12 game of the year.

Here’s how the team graded in the 56-34 win over Kansas.

Offense – A-

Fifty-six points is nothing to scoff at. Well over 600 yards of offense isn’t either.

However, an ugly third quarter that allowed Kansas to get back in the game lowers the grade.

The good news is that Grier was fairly accurate most of the game; the running game was efficient per usual, with a pair of 100-yard rushers in Justin Crawford and Kennedy McKoy; and the offensive line played arguably its best game as a unit this season.

Attribute the third-quarter woes to this being just the second time this season the first-team offense was on the field past the mid-way part of the third quarter, but a potential lull like that in a game against stiffer competition is worrisome.

All in all, though, the Mountaineer offense looked good, especially given that starting field position in the first half was less than desirable.

Defense – D-

The only reason this unit doesn’t get an F is because WVU got the win.

But giving up 291 rushing yards to a single player, the most to one player in school history to an opposing rusher, is appalling.

Giving up over 550 yards to Kansas is not a good look. In all honesty, it’s laughable.

Kansas hasn’t gained that many yards in one game since last year’s season opener against Rhode Island.

Missed tackles, blown assignments, you name it, it happened.

Granted, the defense did have a couple big plays.

Mike Daniels had a pick-six, Lamonte McDougle forced a fumble and Al-Rasheed Benton also had an interception.

However, the Jayhawks were successful on both fourth down attempts, and converted on third down 44-percent of the time, which is a higher conversion rate than what they’ve been successful at so far this year.

This defensive unit must improve mightily over the next few weeks, or it will get gashed to a point that the talented WVU offense can not bail it out (i.e. OK-State – it’s going to get ugly folks)

Special teams – B-

The third kickoff out of bounds penalty on the year by Evan Staley knocks this grade down. Three such plays in just four games is concerning.

With that said, though, kickoffs were sailing to the end zone at seemingly a higher rate than they have so far in 2017. Staley booted six touchbacks.

It’s been a problem for the Mountaineers that seems to be moving in the right direction.

Coverage was largely good. Those six WVU kickoffs kneed down in the end zone is due, in part due to coverage.

Kansas averaged just 19 yards on kickoff returns, while West Virginia was slightly better at 22 yards per return on kicks that were brought out of the end zone.

Overall grade – C