By JONATHAN WEAVER
The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia University Mountaineers football fans are gearing up for Tuesday’s Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl, which will be against the University of Utah Utes.
Brandon Collins of Fairmont hopes to watch the game with his brother Ben, as well as other family members and friends. Both attended WVU, with Brandon graduating in 2005.
Ben, who is a year older than Brandon, played linebacker for the Mountaineers and also played in at least two bowl games — including the 49-38 victory against the Ole Miss Rebels during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville in December 2000. Brandon remembered being “freezing cold” in the stands during the game.
“It’s tough without the quarterback,” Brandon said. “It’ll be a close one.”
WVU starting quarterback Will Grier dislocated his middle finger and broke a bone in his hand in the 28-14 loss to the University of Texas Longhorns Nov. 18. While he will not play Tuesday, Grier will return to Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium next season.
William Taylor and Linda Hicks, both of Oak Hill, are WVU fans, but won’t be able to watch the game Tuesday.
“It’s in the middle of the day — we gotta work,” Taylor said. “Why would they have the game when most West Virginia fans will be working?”
The bowl game kicks off at 1:20 p.m. from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Staff Writer Jonathan Weaver can be reached at (304) 626-1446 or [email protected]. Follow me on Twitter @jweaver_theet
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