4 West Virginia players ruled ineligible for Cactus Bowl
Four West Virginia players will miss the team’s bowl game due to academics.
Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen announced Tuesday that junior cornerback Daryl Worley, senior defensive end Eric Kinsey, freshman wideout Jovon Durante and freshman safety Kevin Williams will all be unavailable for the Jan. 2 Cactus Bowl against Arizona State.
The loss of Worley is the most impactful for the Mountaineers. The junior was a first-team All-Big 12 selection this season with 49 tackles, six interceptions and two tackles for loss.
Per WVSports.com, Holgorsen said Worley’s absence is a “different situation” compared to the others.
“It’s more of a timing issue. Daryl is a good student and Daryl is eligible. But because his classwork was late getting in, he failed to meet the NCAA Bowl certification timeline,” Holgorsen said.
Durante was the Mountaineers’ fourth-leading receiver as a true freshman. He totaled 24 catches for 378 yards and five touchdowns. He played in every game and made nine starts.
Kinsey has been a career backup for WVU and finishes his career with 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack. Williams took a redshirt this season.
The 7-5 Mountaineers and 6-6 Sun Devils will square off in Phoenix on Saturday night.
For more West Virginia news, visit WVSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
