MEMPHIS – West Virginia coach Neal Brown knew he would use reserve quarterback Austin Kendall in the second half of Thursday’s Liberty Bowl. The redshirt senior ended up leading the Mountaineers to a victory.
Kendall threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Simmons with 5:10 left, and West Virginia held off the Black Knights, 24-21.
Brown said the decision to switch quarterbacks was made at halftime by the coaching staff after starter Jarret Doege struggled, particularly in the second quarter.
“Jarret has played very, very well all year, but for whatever reason, he didn’t see it well,” Brown said, adding: “I thought (Kendall) came in in relief and did a nice job.”
Army (9-3) had a chance to tie it with 1:50 left, but Quinn Maretzki’s 39-yard field-goal try was wide left. Josh Chandler ended the Black Knights’ final possession with an interception and led the Mountaineers (6-4) with 13 tackles.