T.J.

Simmons Jr.

Credit goes to Simmons for hauling in West Virginia’s go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. With the ball snapped on the 20-yard line, Simmons (6'2/198) worked himself open on a corner route to the right side of the end zone, giving QB Austin Kendall an easy target for the score. Simmons also brought in a five-yard score earlier in the game from QB Jarret Doege before WVU made a switch at QB. Simmons finishes his junior season with four touchdowns.

Simmons, a transfer from Alabama, hasn’t been as involved with the offense as had been hoped when he shipped over from the Crimson Tide in 2017, with relatively modest showings of 28 and 35 receptions, respectively, in 2018 and 2019. This year started even slower, with only seven receptions through the team’s first six games. But he’s posted a cumulative 8-161-2 line the last two weeks, first emerging in last week’s 17-13 loss to Texas. Today, he had multiple impressive catches, and showed off his athleticism besides. Simmons has surely carved a larger market share out for himself inside the Mountaineers’ attack down the stretch.

WVU WR T.J. Simmons is the most notable name among the 11 reportedly suspended, here, but obviously this stretches a ways beyond just Mr. Simmons, himself. Among the other players in HC Neal Brown’s doghouse on Saturday, two members of the starting offensive line -- T Junior Uzebu and C Chase Behrndt -- as well as a pair of tight ends in Mike O’Laughlin and T.J. Banks. The other five players nixed appear to be backups and depth pieces. Casazza hears that these are not suspensions related to COVID-19 in any way, but rather disciplinary action for a past incident. These suspensions, according to Casazza, will be lifted after Saturday’s contest.

While Simmons (6'3/199), who has missed each of West Virginia’s last two games, is likely to make his return. That being said, he may not be 100% according to WVIllustrated.com writer Nick Farrell. Simmons, who was injured during the loss to Baylor Halloween night, has appeared in eight games this season and caught 31 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns.

Simmons (6'3/199) will miss a second straight game due to the leg injury, which he suffered during the Mountaineers’ loss at Baylor on Halloween. The redshirt junior has caught 31 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns this season. With Simmons out, George Campbell is one player who should get more opportunities in the passing game.

Simmons (6'3/199) was unlikely to play after getting the doubtful designation on Wednesday, and it’s now confirmed. Georgia Campbell and Isaiah Esdale will likely split time at the wideout position with the Alabama transfer officially out against the Red Raiders.

Simmons (6'2/199) has played in all eight of WVU’s games to date, posting a 31-409-4 receiving line in that space. Should the redshirt junior end up nixed for Saturday -- we’ll keep an eye on him up until kickoff -- George Campbell and Isaiah Esdale could potentially be in for expanded roles versus the Red Raiders.

Simmons basically kept the Mountaineers in the game in the first half, picking up the only two touchdowns for West Virginia. The talented former Alabama player has really picked things up as of late, and he’s now scored in three straight contests. Expect Simmons to get plenty of targets the rest of the year, with his next chance of reaching the end zone coming on October 31 against Baylor.

Simmons (6'2/199) has now caught touchdown passes in back-to-back contests after going the first month without finding the end zone. He’ll carry a 25-335-2 receiving line into next weekend’s road showdown with Oklahoma.

We’ve been waiting for Simmons to have a breakout game, and although it comes in a losing effort, this counts. The former Alabama transfer has an easy career-high in catches and receiving yards, and he adds his first touchdown with the Mountaineers for good measure. If West Virginia is going to compete with the better Big 12 teams, they need Simmons (6'2/199) to have more games like this. Another chance comes next Saturday against Iowa State.