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We finally know where Kenny Robinson will land.
Robinson, an All-Big 12 safety in 2018 with West Virginia, was one of the Mountaineer players who left the team this offseason and opted to explore his professional options. On Wednesday, Robinson was selected in the XFL draft by the St. Louis Battle Hawks.
Robinson played in 25 games in two seasons at WVU, starting 20 times. He ranked second in the Big 12 in 2018 with four interceptions in 12 starts at safety for the Mountaineers.
So far, four former West Virginia players have been selected by XFL teams — Dravon Askew-Henry (New York Guardians), Marquise Lucas (Tampa Bay Vipers) and Terence Garvin (St. Louis).
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WVU PASS OFFENSE VS IOWA STATE PASS DEFENSE
West Virginia had one of its best passing days in terms of production last week against Texas, but did throw four interceptions. The good news for WVU is freshman Sam James, the team’s leading receiver, is expected to play after leaving the Texas game with an injury. For Iowa State, senior safety Lawrence White is a tackling machine and has one interception and three pass break-ups so far this season.
EDGE: IOWA STATE
IOWA STATE PASS OFFENSE VS. WVU PASS DEFENSE
Cylcone quarterback Brock Purdy has been very good this season. The sophomore is on the short list of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks with 356.2 total yards per game and a league leading 315.6 passing yards per game. West Virginia has been decent against the pass despite depth issues in the secondary. Senior cornerback Keith Washington leads the conference in passes defended and is second in the Big 12 with three interceptions.
EDGE: IOWA STATE
WVU RUSH OFFENSE VS. IOWA STATE RUSH DEFENSE
The Mountaineers have not been able to establish much of a run game yet in game this season, though sophomore running back Leddie Brown has had some success moving the ball with a team-leading 5.2 yards per carry on just 25 attempts. Iowa State ranks third in the Big 12 in rush defense, allowing 113.6 yards per game. Cyclone linebackers are making a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage, led by sophomore O’Rien Vance 6.5 tackles for a loss.
EDGE: IOWA STATE
IOWA STATE RUSH OFFENSE VS. WVU RUSH DEFENSE
Purdy leads ISU in rushing with 203 yards and five touchdowns as the Cyclones continues to break in new featured running back Johnnie Lang, a sophomore. The Cyclones rank 8th in the conference at 159.6 rushing yards per game. West Virginia, meanwhile, is 7th in the league in rushing defense, allowing 181.2 yards per game. Junior defensive lineman Darius Stills is tied for 3rd in the Big 12 with 8.5 tackles for a loss this season.
EDGE: WEST VIRGINIA
SPECIAL TEAMS
West Virginia kicker Evan Staley’s up and down season continued in last week’s loss to Texas with two missed field goal attempts. Punter Josh Growden, however, has been very good with nine punts landing inside opponents’ 20 yard line. Iowa State kicker Conor Assaley is a perfect 23 of 23 on extra point attempts and has connected on 7 of 10 field goal attempts, with a long of 42 for the season.
EDGE: IOWA STATE
INTANGIBLES
Neal Brown and West Virginia had everything they wanted off the field working in their favor last week against Texas but still came up short against the Longhorns. Mountaineer fans will likely be out in full force again when Iowa State visits, but the home crowd only counts for so much. ISU coach Matt Campbell and the Cyclones haven’t been the same team away from Ames this season, but they don’t lose games in October — at least not in recent seasons.
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West Virginia University football coach Neal Brown cleared up the injury status of redshirt freshman Sam James during his Thursday evening radio show.
James, who left last week’s loss to Texas after hitting his head and neck hard on the Milan Puskar Stadium turf, is expected to play on Saturday when the Mountaineers host Big 12 rival Iowa State (4 p.m. on ESPN)
“Unless something changes in the next couple days, Sam will play,” Brown said.
James has been West Virginia’s top receiver so far in 2019 with 32 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns, including one prior to his exit against Texas.
“I’m excited about Sam this Saturday and for the next few years,” Brown said “I see him maturing before our eyes as a football player and a person. I think he’s going to be a big-time player.”
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West Virginia will be on national television against a Big 12 powerhouse again when the Mountaineers take on Oklahoma next week.
WVU’s Oct. 19 game will kickoff at noon and be televised on Fox.
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West Virginia’s young receiving corps might be a bit thinner next week when the Mountaineers host Iowa State.
Freshman Sam James left Saturday’s loss to Texas following the final play of the third quarter and did not return. WVU coach Neal Brown said James’ injury was, “a bit of an upper-[body] injury” and would be addressed in more detail at Brown’s Tuesday press conference in Morgantown. Against Texas, James finished with six catches for 66 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore Sean Ryan, a transfer from Temple, could be out for a while. Ryan, who had five receptions for 70 yards on Saturday, came down hard while hauling in a 39-yard pass in the fourth quarter and return to the field after. Brown did not get into the specific details of Ryan’s injury, but indicated the receiver will likely miss some time.
“Sean, it doesn’t look good,” Brown said. “I hate it for him, because he played really well. He had his best week of practice and a really good bye week. But it looks like he’ll be out for a few weeks.”
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