I still remember watching West Virginia University's football team trail by 20 points in the third quarter against what many considered a championship-caliber opponent. The stadium felt heavy with resignation, but something remarkable happened during those final moments that would come to define their entire 2023 season. As offensive lineman Atienza later reflected, "We just grind it out. We were down 15 at the half, 20 in the third. This is a perennial title contender. It's a champion team laden with talent. We were lucky to escape this." That comeback victory wasn't just luck—it revealed the character of a team that refused to quit, setting the tone for what would become one of WVU's most memorable campaigns in recent years.
The Mountaineers finished the regular season with an impressive 9-3 record, including crucial victories against ranked opponents that nobody saw coming back in August. What stood out to me throughout the season was how this team consistently outperformed expectations, particularly considering they were projected to finish seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll. I've followed WVU football for over fifteen years, and what made this squad special was their resilience—they played with a chip on their shoulder that reminded me of those legendary Rich Rodriguez teams from the mid-2000s. The offense averaged 32.4 points per game, while the defense created 18 turnovers, statistics that don't fully capture how clutch this team became in critical moments.
Quarterback Garrett Greene emerged as the undeniable leader of this team, accounting for 28 total touchdowns despite missing nearly two full games due to injury. His development from last season was remarkable—I'd even argue he became the most improved quarterback in the conference. What impressed me most wasn't just his arm strength or mobility, but his decision-making under pressure. Remember that Oklahoma State game where he engineered three fourth-quarter scoring drives? That wasn't just athleticism—that was football intelligence at its finest. Behind Greene, running back CJ Donaldson bulldozed his way to 1,128 rushing yards, becoming the first WVU back to surpass 1,000 yards since 2019. At 6'2" and 240 pounds, he brought a physicality that completely changed how defenses had to approach this offense.
The receiving corps, led by Devin Carter and Preston Fox, provided consistent targets throughout the season, though I'll be honest—I would have liked to see more explosive plays downfield. Carter's 684 receiving yards led the team, but what stood out to me was his ability to make contested catches in traffic. Defensively, linebacker Lee Kpogba was an absolute force, recording 112 tackles and consistently disrupting opposing offenses. I've watched every game this season, and Kpogba's performance against Texas—where he made 14 tackles and forced a critical fumble—was one of the best defensive displays I've seen from a Mountaineer in years. The secondary, while occasionally vulnerable to big plays, came up with 12 interceptions, including three each from safety Aubrey Burks and cornerback Beanie Bishop.
Special teams often don't get enough attention, but kicker Michael Hayes proved crucial in close games, connecting on 18 of 22 field goal attempts, including a 48-yard game-winner against Houston. Looking back at the season, what struck me was how this team embodied the "grind it out" mentality that Atienza described. They weren't always the most talented team on the field—though they certainly had playmakers—but they consistently found ways to win games that previous WVU teams might have lost. The comeback victory Atienza referenced perfectly captured this spirit, demonstrating a mental toughness that became their trademark.
As someone who's analyzed countless WVU seasons, what made 2023 particularly satisfying was watching this team exceed expectations through sheer determination. They finished ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018 and earned a respectable bowl invitation. While they fell short of the conference championship game, the foundation has been laid for continued success. The 2023 Mountaineers proved that heart and resilience can sometimes outweigh pure talent, creating memories that will linger long after the statistics fade. That comeback victory Atienza described wasn't just a single game—it became the defining characteristic of a team that refused to accept defeat, providing one of the most enjoyable WVU football seasons I've witnessed in the past decade.