Jeff Weimer praises Scotty Fox after WVU’s late surge against TCU
West Virginia wide receiver Jeff Weimer discussed the Mountaineers’ second-half offensive spark and his connection with true freshman Scotty Fox Jr. in a postgame press conference following a 23-17 loss against TCU Saturday.
At halftime, WVU trailed 20-7, with just 141 yards of offense. The second half was a different story as the Mountaineers gained 201 and outscored TCU 10-3. Weimer said it took time to feel out the TCU defense, but in the second half, the offense found rhythm.
“Sometimes it’s just about getting more and more reps, getting a feel for their defense, kind of how they’re playing it and then executing on our end,” Weimer said. “Getting first downs is a big part of that, just continuing to move the ball, make completions, and get some yards up front with the run game. I think that’s all part of finding a rhythm. We found it a little later than we wanted to, but we found it.”
Scotty Fox Jr. made his second consecutive start at quarterback for the Mountaineers. He threw for 301 yards, going 28-for-41 with two touchdowns through the air. Weimer is not just impressed with Fox’s game performance, but how he prepares day in and day out.
“I’m impressed. I mean, it’s not even just, obviously, you guys see, like, how well he threw the ball today, but it’s about how well he’s been taking advantage of Sunday through Friday, you know? I mean, so it’s, I think I’ve been impressed with that. He’s going about this business very well, especially being new,” he said.
Fox connected with Weimer three times for 57 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown grab was Weimer’s first of the season. Weimer said he and Fox have built a strong relationship through studying film together.
“Me and Scotty been watching film together during the week and just trying to build that chemistry throughout the week, and I think we’ve been doing a good job of that,” Weimer said. “Obviously, we lost some plays out there, but so there’s a lot to build off of, which is a good thing.”
The touchdown grab from Weimer came with 3:15 remaining in the game, cutting WVU’s deficit to six points. The catch was made in the corner of the endzone, making Weimer have to toe drag with a defender on his back.
Weimer explained how, in those situations, you need to catch the ball first, then worry about getting your feet down in bounds.
“It’s catching the ball and then your feet. So it’s not if you reverse it, it’s not the best way of making the play, because you’re not confident seeing the catch,” he said.
Sitting at the bottom of the Big 12 at 0-5, WVU has seen an average losing margin of 27.6 points in conference play. Against TCU, the Mountaineers only lost by six points. Weimer was proud of the team’s fight, despite the game resulting in a loss.
“I think we collectively played better together as far as offense, defense and special teams,” Weimer said. “And I think that’s the most promising thing about tonight. Obviously, I think we were in it, and should have pulled away with it, in my opinion.”
With a five-game losing streak, Weimer said the team’s goal is to get better each week and stay mentally involved until the season ends.
“Right now, the tone is to get better each week and win each week,” he said. “You got to take it one week at a time and continue to get better at all phases of the game. So I think that’s priority for us right now, but I mean the confidence to win each game. I mean, why play if you don’t have that?”
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