Photo courtesy of Dale Sparks/WVU athletics WVU safety Darrian Lewis (24) brings down Robert Morris running back Donta Whack during West Virginia’s 45-3 victory on Saturday.

MORGANTOWN — After four seasons at Akron, safety Darrian Lewis had enough. Lewis won 10 games in four years, and won only two games in three-straight years. Lewis wanted to feel what it was like to win and needed a new change of scenery.

But Lewis grew up in Akron, Ohio, so his dream was to play for the Zips.

“Leaving was really hard, but when we finally made that decision, we just wanted for me to take this last year to really open our minds,” Lewis said. “Trying to reach our highest potential was something that I was missing. Just being at home with distractions and little things like that, was trying to get away from it.”

But the biggest reason to leave was to win.

“At Arkon U, we didn’t win much,” Lewis said. “Three, four years, maybe won a total of five games max. That was really crazy. Tired of losing, for sure, it gets to a point. It does.”

Lewis couldn’t further his playing career at Akron, so he entered the transfer portal in the spring. He wasn’t the only Akron player to jump ship. 23 Akron players entered the portal, including current WVU corner Devonte Golden-Nelson.

Gold-Nelson transferred to WVU in January, so he was already at Morgantown, and started recruiting Lewis to join. Jacksonville State transfer Fred Perry was also welcoming when Lewis was on his visit. He also really enjoyed what defensive coordinator Zac Alley had planned for him in his defense.

Lewis was convinced and picked WVU.

“Really got a real close, good relationship with those two guys,” Lewis said. “Then I met Coach Alley, and his genius mind. If you ever got to talk to Coach Alley, he’s just a genius mind.”

Now that Lewis is at WVU, he has the chance to win, and started off hot with a dominant victory over Robert Morris. However, it’ll be more challenging against Ohio in Week 2.

Lewis is familiar with the Bearcats, who were in the MAC with Akron. He doesn’t have the best memories, though.

Ohio won 10-plus games over the last three seasons. For the last seven years, Ohio beat Akron every year, including the whole time Lewis was there.

“We didn’t play them well,” Lewis said. “We played them a couple of times, but they actually got the upper hand on us the last time I played them.”

Most of Ohio’s 2024 offense is back for 2025. Lewis faced this same offense last year. Obviously, it wasn’t fun for Lewis, but he knows what to expect, especially when dealing with dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro.

“They take their time,” Lewis said. “Their offensive coordinator will try to pick the best play versus the defense that he’s seen. One thing that we didn’t do really well at Akron U was show them what we wanted to show them…Yeah, I’m very aware of [Navarro]’s skills.”

It’ll be a close game Saturday. WVU is only a favorite by a couple of points. The stadium is sold out, whether that’ll be green or gold and blue, it’s yet to be seen.

Lewis said the place will be a “tough environment,” but won’t have the “juice” like Milan Puskar Stadium. Lewis will have some juice Saturday to hopefully break his losing streak against the Bobcats.

“I absolutely did not get a chance to beat them at all,” Lewis said. “This is a game that I’m excited for sure. It’s a lot personal, but I don’t worry about that part of it. It’s going to be a very good experience. Can’t wait for it.”