West Virginia defender accuses Penn State football of lacking ‘respect’ for its opponents

Penn State football and West Virginia may have only renewed their series for a two-year stint after a three-decade hiatus, but there’s still no love lost between these two border-state rivals. Though the battle on the gridiron is two weeks off, the war of words is already fully underway. Mountaineers defensive back Garnett Hollis Jr. didn’t pull any punches when discussing his views of the Nittany Lions with the West Virginia media this week.

A graduate transfer from Northwestern, the 2024 season opener will be the first time Garnett Hollis participates in the rivalry between the Nittany Lions and Mountaineers. But the fifth-year cornerback carried some bad blood over from his time in the Big Ten, as he made clear when previewing the game on Friday.

“I wouldn’t say it’s too much of a difference,” Hollis replied when asked if he could offer his Mountaineer teammates a different opinion on Penn State from his days as a conference opponent. “I would just say, with them playing last year, they [Penn State] kind of did some of the similar stuff that they ran against Northwestern and how they ran against them [West Virginia] in Week 1. So, I think they’re the same team; they don’t show too much respect for their opponents unless it’s Michigan or O-State [Ohio State].

“So I think that’s something that’s similar when they played each other. And I think it’s just going out there and outplaying them. I think that’s the main key is, don’t give them the game. That’s what they want. That’s what they think every team is going to do is give them the game. But I think when we go out there and punch them in the mouth, and we take the life from them, I think that’s going to be the difference, for sure.”

Garnett Hollis recorded one tackle and a forced fumble in the Nittany Lions’ 17-7 victory over Northwestern in Beaver Stadium during the 2022 season. Last year in Evanston, he tallied five total tackles in a 41-13 Penn State win. Much like last season’s 38-15 victory over West Virginia, the game against the Wildcats drew criticism from some for late scores by the Nittany Lions once the win appeared to be secured.

“The last two years, I lost against them,” Garnett Hollis added on Friday. “And they both been close enough games where we could have pulled it out. So being on a team now where we have that chance, you know. We got the quarterback to do it. We got the offense to put up points against those guys. And then we got the defense to shut them down on [offense]. I’m ready to go against them, for sure.”

West Virginia’s Neal Brown: “Our best is going to be required” to beat Penn State football

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side of the spectrum, Neal Brown has been highly complimentary of James Franklin and Penn State football this offseason. That trend continued on Saturday when the West Virginia head coach appeared on the SEC Network’s Marty & McGee.

“Well, it’s going to be a special atmosphere two weeks from today right here. We play a 12 noon kickoff, and we play Penn State,” Brown said. “And our fans are ready. If they opened up the tailgate lots right now, they’d be here. They’d be here, and it’d be a two-week shindig getting ready for that.

“So, it’s going to be electric. The challenge for our football team is to be at our best. Because our best is going to be required on August 31. Penn State rolls in with all new coordinators but with a lot of talent. Probably as talented as anybody in the country. And [I] really respect what James has done there. But it’s a challenge, but it’s a great opportunity for us on a national scene against a premier opponent.

“It’s a rivalry game in one sense, but it’s a rivalry that hasn’t gone West Virginia’s way very often. And this is the second game, the final game of the series, and there’s nobody that our fans would rather beat than Penn State.”

On #MartyndMcGee a GREAT chat w @NealBrown_WVU
(I believe WVU could make CFP if they play to their ability)
•Deep importance of @WVUfootball to folks in Wild Wonderful.
•Great rivalries w PennSt/Pitt
•9-4 in 2023. What now?
•QB Garrett Greene 🚀
•Jogger pants?
•Dirty Myrtle pic.twitter.com/ulT2wbd8gi

— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) August 17, 2024

Penn State football is 17-6-1 against West Virginia in Morgantown since 1904, including a 5-2 record since Milan Puskar Stadium was built in 1980. Per DraftKings Sportsbook, the Nittany Lions are a 10-point favorite for Week 1’s contest against the Mountaineers, which will be broadcast on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation! Please follow us on all of our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube) and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media.