MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Geno Smith passed for 216 yards and two scores and Noel Devine rushed for 111 yards Saturday in West Virginia's 31-0 pounding of Coastal Carolina.
Smith finished 20-of-27 in his first collegiate start, lifting the Mountaineers (1-0) to a victory in their first game of the season.
Co-24th-ranked West Virginia exploded in the second half after only leading 10-0 at the break. A third-quarter touchdown toss from Smith to Jock Sanders and a scoring plunge by Ryan Clarke turned the game into a rout and the Mountaineers won their ninth straight at home.
West Virginia also got five catches for 86 yards from Tavon Austin.
Zach MacDowall went 13-of-26 for 119 yards and Eric O'Neal ran for 33 yards for the Chanticleers (0-1).
