West Virginia overcame the sloppy conditions as well as a sloppy performance to pick up their first win of 2011, downing Michigan State 20-17 Saturday in Morgantown.

In a game played in heavy rain throughout most of the day, the WVU run game just couldn't get going. Not good news for Mountaineer fans looking for a replacement for Noel Devine. Of course it wasn't all the running backs' faults. Up front, the OL was having all kinds of issues with the Spartan front seven. Luckily though, Geno Smith had a solid, if not spectacular game. Smith finished with 211 yards on 19 of 25 passing. The junior threw a 41 yard strike to Mark Rodgers for a touchdown but also had one pick.

Defensively the Mountaineers proved too much for the Spartans. Safeties Robert Sands and Sydney Glover led the way with a combined 13 tackles on the day. Sands also intercepted on pass.

WVU will be home again next week as the take on #5 LSU. Kickoff is scheduled for noon with ESPN providing coverage to a national television audience.