# West Virginia football performance decline > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/west-virginia-football-performance-decline > Updated: 2026-10-21T04:03:15.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 7. The West Virginia Mountaineers football team has experienced a decline in performance following a 3-0 start to the season. The team suffered a 41-24 home loss to Oklahoma State, where the defense surrendered 609 total yards. Following that defeat, head coach Rich Rodriguez noted the need for a better game plan, stating, ‘I got to have a better plan.’ Subsequent losses to Iowa State have resulted in a 0-2 record in Big 12 conference play. The program is facing scrutiny regarding its rebuilding progress under Rodriguez, with critics highlighting a defense that the coach described as ‘atrocious.’ Despite roster investments via the transfer portal, the team’s inability to win against programs led by first-year coaches has caused doubt among the fan base. Recent data shows the defensive struggles have persisted, with the unit ranking 133rd out of 138 FBS teams in total defense, allowing an average of 456.6 yards per game. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley expressed frustration after the Iowa State game, in which the defense allowed 45 points and 577 yards, stating his intention to change his approach and return to basics like stopping the run. Despite these struggles, Rodriguez has expressed public support for Alley, citing his successful track record at Oklahoma. Alley has indicated the staff is looking at personnel changes and positional shifts, prioritizing athleticism and versatility in the secondary to address issues with effort and execution. Coach Rodriguez has attributed ongoing difficulties to high roster turnover. To mitigate the impact of the transfer portal and NIL era, Rodriguez announced plans to use the upcoming bye week to negotiate multi-year contracts with key players to secure them long-term. Following a 52-31 loss to Arizona, the Mountaineers have extended their losing streak to three games. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: West Virginia University football focuses on player contracts and roster availability WVU coach Rich Rodriguez aims to sign players to multi-year deals during the upcoming bye week to prevent transfers, while the team manages roster availability ahead of their game against TCU. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-university-football-focuses-on-player-contracts-and-roster-availability ### 2026-10-13: West Virginia coach supports Zac Alley amid defensive struggles West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez is backing defensive coordinator Zac Alley despite recent defensive struggles, as the staff considers personnel changes to improve performance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-coach-supports-zac-alley-amid-defensive-struggles ### 2026-10-10: West Virginia Mountaineers face offensive pressure amid defensive struggles West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez noted heightened pressure on his offense following a 52-31 loss to Arizona, as defensive struggles force the team to score on nearly every possession. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-mountaineers-face-offensive-pressure-amid-defensive-struggles ### 2026-10-07: West Virginia University football faces pressure under Rich Rodriguez West Virginia University football faces pressure under head coach Rich Rodriguez following a 3-2 start and recent losses, with significant focus on defensive development and player updates. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-university-football-faces-pressure-under-rich-rodriguez ### 2026-10-07: West Virginia football staff seeks solutions for struggling defense West Virginia University football coaches Rich Rodriguez and Zac Alley are working to fix a defense that ranks 133rd in the FBS, citing roster turnover and the need for better player positioning. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-football-staff-seeks-solutions-for-struggling-defense ### 2026-10-04: West Virginia football faces scrutiny after Big 12 losses West Virginia football has struggled in Big 12 play, suffering consecutive losses to first-year head coaches at Oklahoma State and Iowa State despite an early-season winning streak. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-football-faces-scrutiny-after-big-12-losses ### 2026-09-27: West Virginia football loses 41-24 to Oklahoma State West Virginia football lost 41-24 to Oklahoma State after allowing 609 yards. Coach Rich Rodriguez admitted to game plan flaws following the defensive collapse. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-virginia-football-loses-41-24-to-oklahoma-state --- Cite as: West Virginia football performance decline. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/west-virginia-football-performance-decline