West Virginia Mountaineers Secure Bowl Eligibility with 31-21 Win Over UCF
CJ Donaldson Jr. scored two touchdowns as West Virginia defeated UCF 31-21 in Morgantown, W.Va. This win made West Virginia bowl eligible with a record of 6-5 and 5-3 in the Big 12. Donaldson, the team’s third-leading rusher, had 19 carries for 96 yards, bringing his total to nine touchdowns this season.
Garrett Greene, the Mountaineers’ quarterback, completed 13 of 21 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 49 yards on 18 carries. Jahiem White contributed with 12 carries for 54 yards and one touchdown.
UCF, now eliminated from bowl contention for the first time since 2015, had RJ Harvey rushing for 130 yards on 16 carries and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Rizk completed 11 of 21 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown.
West Virginia started strong, driving 68 yards on their first possession, ending with Donaldson’s 1-yard touchdown run. White later added another touchdown in the first quarter. UCF responded in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by Harvey.
What role did CJ Donaldson Jr. play in West Virginia’s victory over UCF?
Interview with Sports Analyst on West Virginia’s Victory over UCF and Bowl Eligibility
News Directory 3: Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mike Anderson, a sports analyst and West Virginia University football expert, to discuss the Mountaineers’ recent victory against UCF and what it means for the team moving forward.
NDC3: Mike, West Virginia secured a critical 31-21 win over UCF. What were your thoughts on their performance, particularly from CJ Donaldson Jr.?
Mike Anderson: CJ Donaldson Jr. had an outstanding game, scoring two crucial touchdowns and tallying 96 rushing yards on 19 carries. His ability to find the end zone has been a consistent asset for the Mountaineers this season, and with nine touchdowns now, he’s proving to be a key player in their offense. This victory not only solidifies his role but highlights how vital his contributions are as the team becomes bowl eligible.
NDC3: Speaking of bowl eligibility, how significant is this achievement for West Virginia this season?
Mike Anderson: It’s a big deal. Achieving bowl eligibility with a 6-5 record and 5-3 in the Big 12 showcases their resilience, especially given the challenges they faced throughout the season. This win against UCF is a confidence booster, considering they have struggled in recent years. It validates the hard work put in by the coaching staff and players, and a bowl game offers additional practice time and exposure.
NDC3: How did the quarterback Garrett Greene perform, and what impact did he have on the game?
Mike Anderson: Garrett Greene had a solid outing. Completing 13 of 21 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown shows he was efficient. His 49 rushing yards also demonstrate his dual-threat capability. Greene’s connection with Rodney Gallagher III for that 12-yard touchdown right before halftime was pivotal—it allowed West Virginia to build a comfortable lead that they maintained throughout the game.
NDC3: On the other side, UCF has been eliminated from bowl contention for the first time since 2015. What went wrong for them?
Mike Anderson: UCF struggled to establish consistency on both sides of the ball. While RJ Harvey had a strong performance with 130 yards and two touchdowns, the overall offensive rhythm seemed off. The defense couldn’t contain West Virginia’s ground game, which allowed the Mountaineers to control the clock. A lack of explosive plays in critical moments ultimately did them in, especially when they needed to find a way to respond after falling behind.
NDC3: Looking ahead, what should we expect from West Virginia as they prepare for a potential bowl game?
Mike Anderson: West Virginia has momentum now, and they’ll look to build on this win. Preparing for a bowl game means enhancing their strengths from this performance while addressing areas that need improvement, especially in their secondary and special teams. If they can continue to harness the power of their rushing attack and refine their passing game, they could be a competitive force in the postseason. The experience will also be invaluable for the younger players on the roster.
NDC3: Thanks for your insights, Mike. It’ll be interesting to see how the Mountaineers progress in the coming weeks.
Mike Anderson: Thanks for having me! I’m excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
Before halftime, Greene connected with Rodney Gallagher III for a 12-yard touchdown, giving West Virginia a 21-7 lead. The Mountaineers extended their lead in the second half with another touchdown by Donaldson and a field goal from Michael Hayes II.
Despite UCF’s efforts, including a 45-yard touchdown pass from Rizk to Kobe Hudson, they could not overcome the deficit. Harvey scored again, but West Virginia maintained their lead and ran out the clock after a failed onside kick attempt.