No. 19 West Virginia to display depth; RB Buie likely out, Trey Johnson back from injury

When Norfolk State makes the trip to Morgantown this weekend, it will be the first time the two programs face each other.

The Spartans, a Football Championship Subdivision school that competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, defeated Virginia State 37-3 last Saturday in the team's season debut.

Led by redshirt senior quarterback Chris Walley, NSU racked up 438 total yards on offense, including 255 through the air. Walley, who threw for two touchdowns in the game, also rushed for 42 yards.

On offense, the Spartans' scheme is a spread attack that uses a lot of pre-snap motion in an attempt to distract the opposing defense.

The Spartans boast an athletic team from all angles, including wide receiver. Redshirt senior Victor Harrison grabbed five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown against Virginia State. Alongside Harrison's performance in the game was junior Xavier Boyce, a Virginia Tech transfer, who tallied four catches for 30 yards and a score.

Defensively, Norfolk State employs a 3-3-5 similar to West Virginia's defense. Redshirt senior Corwin Hammond serves as the anchor for the defense, and tallied nine solo tackles in the victory over Virginia State.

Defensive tackle Josh Taylor, a 6-foot, 315-pound senior, earned all-MEAC honors the past two seasons.

The three points Norfolk State surrendered in the season opener were due largely in part to a long kickoff return by Virginia State that led to a field goal.

The Mountaineers may play the game without true freshman Andrew Buie, who suffered a bruised collarbone in a 15-carry effort against Marshall.

It appears true sophomore Trey Johnson will make his season debut after missing the Marshall game due to an injury. West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen believes the injuries to both players are not substantial, and the depth the team had at the position serves them well at a time like this.

"We were deep, which means if you get a few injuries, you're still in pretty good shape," he said. "Buie will be back, I don't know what the timetable is, we'll re-evaluate him today. Trey will be back, and we'll re-evaluate him today. It will be day-to-day with both of them."

Although the Mountaineers are evaluating Norfolk State on film, it would not surprise Holgorsen if the Spartans displayed a different strategy on the field Saturday.

"(Norfolk St.) may come out and do something completely different, which most teams do," Holgorsen said. "But it shouldn't be a problem figuring out what they're going to do based on the familiarity we have with our own defense."

Two members of the Norfolk State coaching staff are West Virginia alumni and former members of the football team.

Mark Thurston, the defensive line coach, was a three-time letter winner in the program between 1997-1999.

NSU head coach Pete Adrian graduated from West Virginia in 1970 and played in a limited role for three years on the football squad.

Adrian has been at the helm for six seasons, leading Norfolk State to a 6-5 record last year and 34-33 overall.