WOAY – West Virginia football finishes its 2017 season 7-6 after losing 30-14 to Utah in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl.
In a game where the Mountaineers were without both Will Grier and Justin Crawford, the offense mostly struggled against the Utes defense, totaling 29 rushing yards. Quarterback Chris Chugunov completed nine passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions.
Utah quarterback Tyler Hundley had 222 yards of total offense with two rushing touchdowns, while Zack Moss ran for 150 yards and a score.
Kyle Whittingham’s team set the tone early, jumping out to a 17-3 lead at halftime. The Mountaineers gained great field position early in the third when the special teams forced a fumble on a Utah punt, but the offense was held to a field goal for the only points of the quarter.
Utah scored 13 straight points in the 4th, before West Virginia added a touchdown and two-point conversion late.
West Virginia is now 15-21 all-time in bowl games, having lost two straight. The Mountaineers begin the 2018 season September 1 in Charlotte against Tennessee.
