MORGANTOWN -- Morgantown had a certain buzz on Sunday.Â
No, it wasn't from a hangover.
It's the aura surrounding West Virginia football that carried over from the Mountaineers' 31-24 overtime victory over Pitt on Saturday.
Here are some takeaways from the win over the Panthers, along with other important notes following WVU's 17-10 debacle against Ohio on Sept. 6.
Emergence of Tye Edwards
The big question I had heading into Saturday's contest was who was going to emerge as WVU's top running back following Jahiem White's injury versus the Bobcats.
Well, we got a performance that will be talked about for a while from Northern Iowa transfer Tye Edwards.
Edwards had played in WVU's first two contests, but he didn't record a single stat. But he was superb against the Panthers.
Edwards totaled 25 carries for 141 yards and three touchdowns, with one of the runs being for 12 yards.
The Backyard Brawl series has produced some of the Mountaineers' best individual performances, and Edwards cemented his name among those greats in the series.
One thing that isn't being talked about is his blocking ability. There were several times when he did a great job of protecting the trio of quarterbacks who took snaps for the Mountaineers on Saturday.
One last thing on Edwards. His game on Saturday is a testament to his mental strength. His season wasn't guaranteed, as he was one of four Mountaineers who fought for eligibility during the preseason and were granted an injunction.
Good for Edwards to keep his head on his shoulders and keep fighting. Heinz used an advertising slogan in the 1980s that's applicable: "The best things come to those that wait."
WVU's defense stepped up
WVU's defense has been its strong suit through its first three games, holding each of its three opponents below 30 points.
The Mountaineers, led by their defensive line, created a consistent flow of havoc on Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein.
WVU was credited with eight tackles for loss and six sacks on Saturday. Defensive lineman Edward Vesterinen's performance stands out, as he had four tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
This is also the third straight game we've seen a different leading tackler. The Robert Morris game was Chase Wilson, and the Ohio contest was Fred Perry.
Ben Cutter and Darrian Lewis were the Mountaineers' top two tacklers, as they each recorded eight tackles. Cutter added a tackle for loss. Lewis made his second interception in as many games, as he picked off Pitt's Eli Holstein in the red zone.
WVU will be going against another tough offense in Week 4, as the Mountaineers travel to Lawrence to face the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas ranks 48th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 36 points per game.
Just in the Nicco time
It can be easy for any player to hang his head and give up when he's pulled from a game.
That wasn't the case for WVU quarterback Nicco Marchiol. Marchiol started Saturday's contest, but wasn't given the nod to begin the second half, as he was replaced by Scotty Fox Jr.
Marchiol didn't get back into the action until the final 9:30 of the game, with WVU trailing 24-14. The Arizona native charged the 10-point comeback, capping it with a touchdown pass to Grayson Barnes with 11 seconds left.
The WVU quarterback completed 19 of 25 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. Marchiol also completed 9 of his final 11 passes.
Marchiol seems to play his best when he plays the Panthers, thinking back to the 2023 game, when he replaced an injured Garrett Greene and led the Mountaineers to victory.
Puskar Stadium was electric
Saturday's atmosphere was ringing -- before, during and after the game.
The final attendance number was 62,108 for a Stripe the Stadium theme.
Every third and fourth down for Pitt was felt by the Panthers offense, but also everyone else surrounding Milan Puskar Stadium, because the noise octane was vibrant.
That's what makes college football what it is, despite all the lingering issues.
Also, the moment Holstein threw his final incompletion in overtime, the immediate sound of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver brought unison to Mountaineer Nation.
Then, following "Country Roads," a familiar Neil Diamond song started play. Those who are aware of WVU fans' ad lib to the song part took part in it, which made the stadium very loud.
