KU coach Charlie Weis said he was going to use two quarterbacks against West Virginia, but his choice of senior Dayne Crist to start stemmed from his desire to stretch the field in the passing game on the opening series. Crist had not started since KU played host to Oklahoma State on Oct. 13.

“We knew they were gonna spend a week loading up the box against us,” Weis said.

Crist completed just one of five pass attempts for 41 yards, a final chapter in what turned into a disappointing season at Kansas after transferring from Notre Dame last winter. After five seasons at two schools, Crist said it had not hit him that his college career was over.

“It will set in, I’m sure, when I get on the bus,” Crist said. “But it is what it is, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity to play college football.”

• Weis found West Virginia receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey after the game and delivered a quick message. Austin finished with four catches for 110 yards, while Bailey had 11 catches for 159 yards.

“I grabbed them both, and I said ‘You guys both have a chance of being special players, but don’t rest on your laurels and push yourselves to be better,’ ” Weis said.

“… And I did tell them they were a pain in the butt, and you can change the phrase if you’d like to.”