Geno Smith Reaches 100th Career Start as WVU Alumni Dominate Week 2
Nine former Mountaineers took the field in NFL Week 2, headlined by Geno Smith’s historic milestone and strong performances across the league.
Key points
- Geno Smith made his 100th career NFL start for the New York Jets in Week 2.
- Nine former Mountaineers saw action across nine different NFL teams during the week.
- Five other former players were listed on injured or reserve lists, missing the action.
The stadium lights hummed as the ball snapped, and in that instant, history settled onto Geno Smith’s shoulders. It was his 100th career start, a milestone etched not in gold but in the sheer weight of 14 seasons and 111 games. He stood in the pocket, surveying the field, his 14th year in the league finally aligning with the mark he has chased for a decade. The air was thick with expectation, a tangible pressure that only a veteran can feel in his bones.
Across the country, eight other former Mountaineers joined him on the field, their combined efforts scattered across nine different teams. From the rain-slicked turf of Seattle to the dry heat of Arizona, the West Virginia stamp was visible in every snap. It was a collective display of endurance, with players from their second year to their eleventh all finding their rhythm in the chaos of Week 2.
Smith Marks Century With Precision
The Jets faced the Packers in a tight contest, and Smith answered with surgical accuracy. He completed 27 of 41 passes for 247 yards, finishing with a 90.2 QBR that spoke to his command of the offense. One touchdown strike cut through the defense, while five rushes added 17 yards of grit to his stat line. He played on all 74 offensive snaps, his legs moving with the same purpose as his arm, a testament to a career built on longevity and consistency.
Defensive Line Holds The Line
In Seattle, Dante Stills brought his physicality to the line against the Seahawks. The defensive end recorded seven tackles, two of them solo, in 41 defensive snaps. His presence was a constant threat, disrupting the rhythm of the opposing offense. Meanwhile, Rasul Douglas in Washington added three tackles to his ledger, his 11th year of experience showing in his positioning and anticipation. The defensive frontlines of these teams carried the weight of the game, their blocks and tackles the invisible architecture of the contest.
Special Teams And Injury Lists
Not all contributions were on offense or defense. Rex Sunahara and Austin Brinkman, both long snappers, saw action on nine special teams plays each, their precision the quiet backbone of their teams’ kickoffs and punts. Gary Jennings, in his second year, downed a punt for the Chargers, a small but vital act in the flow of the game. Yet, the week also brought a somber note for others. Tony Fields II, Michael Coats Jr., Doug Nester, Garrett Greene, and David Sills V remained on injured or reserve lists, their names listed in the silence of the locker room, waiting for their turn to return to the field.
