West Virginia University Football Team's 2023 Season Highlights and Key Player Stats
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As I sit down to reflect on West Virginia University's 2023 football season, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating opening round of the Del Monte JPGT Championship I recently read about. Just like those first-timers in the ICTSI Junior PGT Series who powered hopes for breakthrough performances, our Mountaineers had their own rising stars who completely transformed what many predicted would be a rebuilding year. I've followed WVU football for over fifteen years now, and what made this season particularly special was watching young talents emerge alongside established players - that same compelling mix of seasoned and emerging talents we saw in that junior golf tournament.
The season started with what I'd call cautious optimism. Most preseason projections had us finishing somewhere in the middle of the Big 12 pack, but having attended every home game and several away games, I could sense this team had something different brewing. Our offense, led by quarterback Garrett Greene, developed an identity early on that reminded me of those promising first-timers in the JPGT - fearless and playing with nothing to lose. Greene's statistics tell part of the story - he threw for 2,406 yards with 16 touchdowns and rushed for another 519 yards - but what the numbers don't capture is his leadership on third downs and in crucial moments. I remember specifically during the Backyard Brawl against Pitt, watching him convert three consecutive third-and-long situations that completely shifted the momentum in our favor.
What truly made this season memorable though was the emergence of our running back CJ Donaldson. Standing at 6'2" and 240 pounds, he ran with a combination of power and agility that we haven't seen in Morgantown in quite some time. His 798 rushing yards through the first eight games before his injury against UCF represented one of the most dominant stretches I've witnessed from a WVU running back. The way he developed throughout the season reminded me of those emerging talents in the Del Monte tournament - starting strong and building confidence with each performance. Losing him for the final four games was devastating, but it created opportunities for other players to step up, much like how new contenders emerged in later rounds of that golf championship.
Our defense had its moments of brilliance too, particularly from players like linebacker Lee Kpogba, who I believe was the heart of that unit. His 87 total tackles led the team, but more importantly, he was the defensive quarterback who made sure everyone was in the right position. Watching him develop from a transfer two seasons ago into the defensive leader he became this year has been one of the more rewarding aspects of following this team closely. The secondary, while inconsistent at times, made crucial improvements as the season progressed, reducing their passing yards allowed per game from 285 in the first half of the season to around 215 in the second half.
The turning point of our season, in my view, was that road victory against TCU in late October. Playing in Fort Worth is never easy, and coming off two consecutive losses, many had written us off. But the team showed incredible resilience, with Greene accounting for three touchdowns and the defense forcing two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter. That win sparked the four-game winning streak that ultimately defined our season and secured a respectable bowl appearance. It was one of those performances that separates good teams from great ones, and while we weren't quite great, we certainly exceeded expectations.
Special teams often don't get enough attention, but Michael Hayes' consistency as our placekicker deserves recognition. He converted 15 of his 18 field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder against Houston that proved to be the difference in a tight contest. In close games, having a reliable kicker is invaluable, and Hayes provided that security throughout the season. His performance reminded me of the importance of having specialists who can deliver under pressure, similar to how certain golfers in the Del Monte tournament excelled in specific aspects of their game while others struggled.
Looking back, what impressed me most about this team was their ability to overcome adversity. Between key injuries, tough road environments, and moments where the season could have unraveled, they consistently found ways to compete. The culture that Head Coach Neal Brown has been building finally seemed to click this year, with players buying into their roles and supporting each other through challenges. The 8-4 regular season record might not look spectacular on paper, but considering where this program was two years ago, it represents significant progress.
As we look ahead to the bowl game and next season, the foundation is clearly strengthening. The development of younger players like receiver Rodney Gallagher and defensive back Aubrey Burks gives me confidence that the program is building sustainable success. Much like how the Del Monte JPGT Championship revealed new talents who will likely dominate future tournaments, WVU football appears to be cultivating the next generation of Mountaineer stars. This season reminded me why I love college football - the unpredictability, the emergence of new heroes, and the way teams can come together to achieve more than the sum of their parts. While we didn't win the Big 12 championship or make a New Year's Six bowl, the 2023 season restored belief in the program's direction and provided plenty of memorable moments that will have Mountaineer fans excited for what's next.