West Virginia 34, Syracuse 13

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

First Quarter: Syracuse shot themselves in the foot right at the start of this football game. On the opening drive, the Orange marched down the field for 34 yards on six plays—running backs Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Averin Collier all touched the football and gained chunks of yardage. But on a third-and-short screen pass, quarterback Greg Paulus would float a ball toward Carter despite four West Virginia defenders draping the running back. Sophomore Josh Taylor intercepted the ill-fated pass and WVU would start at the Syracuse 11-yard line, which led to a receiving touchdown by junior tailback Noel Devine. After a three-and-out, it was the Syracuse defense that would give the Mountaineers the next gift. A costly hands-to-the-face penalty by freshman Brandon Sharpe negated a third and long incompletion by West Virgnia quarterback Jarrett Brown and extended the possession. Later on the drive, with West Virginia lined up for a 40-yard field goal, two Syracuse defensive linemen jumped offside to give WVU another first down by the way of the flag. West Virginia would take advantage; Ryan Clarke recorded his fourth touchdown of the season from one yard out. Score: West Virginia 14, Syracuse 0

Second Quarter: Things would just get worse for Syracuse in the second stanza. While the offense could only pick up one first down in the entire quarter, Brown picked apart the defense. The senior completed nine of his eleven passes for 135 yards, while connecting with seven different receivers. On a touchdown drive that began the quarter, the WVU signal caller completed four straight passes, including a 27-yard strike to Bradley Starks and a 33-yard play to fullback Will Johnson. Meanwhile, Paulus was five-of-nine for 30 yards and his offense gained a total of 77 yards. Before the half ended, sacks by Syracuse’s Arthur Jones and Doug Hogue pushed West Virginia out of field goal range and salvaged the slightest bit respectability. Score: West Virginia 27, Syracuse 0

Third Quarter: With the game all but decided, Syracuse showed a little bit a life sparked by Derrell Smith on the first possession of the half. The hard-hitting linebacker would force and recover a fumble to give his offense good field position. Later in the quarter, freshman backup quarterback Ryan Nassib would connect with playmaking wide out Mike Williams for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The Orange defensive line and linebackers did a good job of taking away the short passing game in this period. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t build on their defense or the long score. Score: West Virginia 27, Syracuse 6

Fourth Quarter: It was all Devine on a touchdown drive that started late in the thirdquarter and spilled into the fourth. On six carries, the junior gained 27 yards including a four yard score, his second of the game. Nassib showed some signs of promise, as he connect with sophomore Marcus Sales for a 24-yard touchdown, but it was way too little, too late for the 'Cuse. Final Score: West Virginia 34, Syracuse 13

Turning Point: The Orange were underdogs at home and needed to come out to a strong start. It looked like on the first drive they were going to put up some points and take an early lead. Instead, a pass that should have never been thrown was picked off and returned deep into Syracuse territory. What added even more momentum to the big play was the fact that the man who intercepted the pass, fumbled the ball on his return. For a brief moment it appeared as if the Orange might catch a break and regain possession. Instead the ball was scooped up by West Virginia linebacker Lazear, who returned it near the goal line.

Analysis: Even though they’ve only won two games this season, there was some cause for optimism coming into the battle for the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy for Syracuse. All week leading up tot he game, players and coaches talked about remaining confident and getting back to five hundred. But the first half performance was utterly embarrassing. The combination of mental errors, penalties and unfortunate breaks left the players looking dejected and West Virginia took advantage by putting the game away early. Paulus has taken the blunt of the blame by the locals; he’s already thrown ten interceptions, which is tied for the most in the nation. But after the game, despite benching his quarterback, head coach Doug Marrone announced that Paulus will remain the starter. The Mountaineers did an outstanding job on offense, behind the efficient passing of Brown, who finished with 244 yards passing. His leading receiver was Jock Sanders, who grabbed nine balls for 67 yards and had a touchdown run on a draw play. Against a solid run defense, Devine was still able to rush for 91 yards, averaging 4.1 yards a carry. The nifty runner broke about a dozen tackles in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, West Virginia singled in on Williams other then the 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter, Williams was held in check, even though the Orange tried everything to get him the ball. Sidney Glover led the team with six tackles, and both J.B Lageman and Jorge Wright each recorded a sack.

Photos Courtesy of WVU Sports Communication,Syracuse University Athletics

Big East: Week Two Review

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

We take a look back on a record set, a game-losing safety, and the week that was in the Big East.

Game of the Week: Sloppy field, sloppy offenses, and a sloppy finish. That’s the best way to describe Connecticut’s 12-10 loss to 16th ranked North Carolina in a game that saw the deciding points come on a safety. Neither team ran or passed the ball well, and each gave up two turnovers. The Tar Heels’ valiant fourth quarter comeback was sparked by the offensive line winning the battle in the trenches. Running back Ryan Houston’s clutch 30 yards on six carries led North Carolina on a game-tying touchdown drive. The player of the game was Lindsey Witten. The 6’ 4” senior sacked the quarterback 3.5 times and is the conference leader with a seven on the season. Unfortunately for the Huskies, a holding penalty in the end zone committed by Dan Ryan was just enough for North Carolina to grab the win.

Team of the week: This is cautious praise because it was against Buffalo, but this week Pittsburgh did something they rarely did last year—looked good on offense. Quarterback Bill Stull threw for three touchdowns for the first time in his career. The 54-27 win was charged by true freshman Dion Lewis. If his debut wasn’t impressive enough—20 carries for 137 yards and a pair of TDs versus Youngstown St.—this week he put on a clinic, rushing for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Four Buffalo turnovers left them with little chance to match the Panthers’ firepower. When was the last time you heard that? It’s the most points Pittsburgh has scored since 1999. The only blemish in the win was Pitt’s inability to stop Buffalo wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt, who racked up 157 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns.

Record Setter: Congratulations to Matt Grothe for passing Pat White as the all-time Big East career yardage leader. Grothe broke the record on a 12-yard scramble in the Bulls’ 35-13 victory over Western Kentucky. The senior threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

Don't Forget About: Jarrett Brown was just too much for East Carolina to handle, as the West Virginia quarterback threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns in the Mountaineers 35-10 win. A key hookup with wide receiver Alric Arnett for a touchdown put the game away in the third quarter.

Freshman Watch: A win over Howard isn’t likely to stem the tide of panic at Rutgers just yet, but quarterback Tom Savage surely gave Knights fans something to smile about. The true freshman threw for 223 yards and displayed a cannon of an arm. He connected twice with Tim Brown on big plays, including a 49-yard bomb on his first throw of the day.

Wide Out Week: Four different Big East wide receivers put up big performances in week two: The 'nice hands award' goes to Jock Sanders (West Virginia) for the second consecutive week. The Mountaineer led all wide outs in receptions, pulling down nine balls for 99 yards. In the ‘it’s been a while’ category, Carlton Mitchell (South Florida) hit the century mark (130 yards) for the first time since his freshman year (2007). You can call Tim Brown (Rutgers) ‘Big Plays’. He led the conference in yards, racking up 132 for the Scarlet Knights on just three catches. Finally, it should come as 'no surprise' that Marshwan Gilyard (Cincinnati), had his way with SE Missouri State, posting 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Photo Courtesy of USF Athletics Communications

BCS Busters Week Two Preview

Game of the Week: East Carolina @ West Virginia

The first test for the Pirates will be a hard one. Morgantown is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney needs to get over his week one performance and play the way a veteran quarterback of his caliber can play if ECU is to beat a good West Virginia team. They will also need to stop the Mountaineers’ potent rushing attack led by running back Noel Devine, who rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown on just 17 attempts against Liberty. Mountaineer quarterback Jarrett Brown will be hard to contain due to his ability to get out of the pocket and run. He rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown while going 19-of-26 for 243 yards. If they can contain these two playmakers of West Virginia and limit their turnovers on offense, they should leave Morgantown with a win.

Players to Watch: East Carolina: QB Patrick Pinkney, RB Dominique Lindsay, DE C.J. Wilson

Players to Watch: West Virginia: QB Jarrett Brown, RB Noel Devine, CB Robert Sands

Prediction: West Virginia 27, East Carolina 20

Other Games to Watch:

TCU @ Virginia: The Frogs get a lowly ACC opponent in Virginia who is coming off a loss to William & Mary. This should be a good way for the Frogs to get into the swing of things to start their season. Look for Jerry Hughes to get into the backfield and disrupt the offense of Virginia.
Prediction: TCU 24, Virginia 17

Fresno State @ Wisconsin: Fresno State is coming off an offensive outburst against UC Davis, led by a number of backs who are able to carry the ball effectively. They now have to get the ground game going against a much tougher Wisconsin defense if they want to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Fresno State 21

Colorado @ Toledo: After carrying the ball only 22 times and throwing 69 times against Purdue, the Rockets will need to find their run game if they are to have a chance against Colorado.
Prediction: Colorado 39, Toledo 14

Kansas @ UTEP: The Miners will need to slow down the Jayhawks’ offense and succeed in their balanced attack—as they did against Buffalo—in order to come out of this one with a win.
Prediction: Kansas 31, UTEP 20

Photos Courtesy of East Carolina University Athletic Media Relations, TCU Athletics Media Relations

Q&A: Bill Stewart, Head Coach, WVU

College Football Insiders Coaches Corner interview with West Virginia Head Coach Bill Stewart. Hosted by Daniel Mogollon. Click to listen.


Coach Stewart is 10-4 as head coach at WVU, including bowl wins over a Bob Stoops-led Oklahoma team and Butch Davis' North Carolina squad. So how are things in Morgantown?

Stewart: It’s going really well Daniel. Thank you for having us on and thanks for your interest in Mountaineer football. We had our meeting last night, at six o’clock we met. We made sure they're all back safe and sound. Classes just began after a week of spring break, it’s always nice for these lads to get out and enjoy themselves. We had lifting this morning as usual. We’re going to lift on Monday’s and Thursday’s, generally. We’re going to practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday so we’ll meet today at four for a short meeting and we’ll practice tomorrow and Wednesday, then we’ll lift again on Thursday and practice on Friday and Saturday and that will conclude week number one. We’re excited about spring practice. This is a great time and the sun is out in Morgantown, how about that? Spring is here and I hope it’s here to stay.

Since this is the eve of spring football at West Virginia, what are your goals for the spring, other than staying healthy, of course?

Stewart: Well, first and foremost we want to stay healthy. We want to have fun, but we work really hard. We had something all winter. Phase one is the winter conditioning and it's tough. We call it “another level”, 6 am workouts. Some people call it “4th quarter”, some people call it whatever...but we call it another level because we have to pick up our game and elevate it to another level. We have been doing that with eight, 6 am workouts, four weeks, two a week. Then we have had very hard and strenuous lifting, much running, much agility, much strength. We did yoga, which was really great. That’s phase one. Now it’s phase two, coming in, that’s spring ball. That’s the time when you get to work on your skills, holding up your game, try to improve the squad for next year and try to formulate the plan. Trying new things, new wrinkles, that’s what we are excited about now. But what we’re going to do is first...offensively, we need to get better on third downs, although we weren’t as bad as people think. Just statistically, we just lost key situations in a couple games but we need to improve our third downs offensively and by that I mean a short-yardage package. I really want to haul in on that. I still want to push the ball vertically down the field number two, because we think we have a strong-armed quarterback coming back in Jarrett Brown, so we really want to push that ball vertically downfield. Then we want to take advantage of all of our skills...we need to spread the wealth. With Patrick White gone, number three, we need to spread the wealth. So number one, improve short yardage, number two, push the ball vertically down the field and number three, spread the wealth since Pat’s departure. That’s offensively. Defensively, Daniel, we need to get off the field. We were not good, we were the number one team in America last year in the red zone—you know, keeping people out of the end zone—but not we were not good at time of possession or getting off the field. So first and foremost, I want to really stress three-and-outs, three-and-outs. We are going to hammer that and pound it into our guys' heads. Three-and-out, three-and-out, because we have to get off the field. Offensively we averaged 53 snaps a game last year, but we should be in the 60’s. That’s the defense. Offensively we had some drives, but the defense has to get off the field and give us the ball. So we really need to stress that. We also need to get a better blitz package. When you get a better blitz package, number three then, you’re going to have to play man-to-man coverage better. On defensive we're going to have to get three-and-outs and get off the field, develop a more consistent and more fun fire zone blitz package and number three, improve our man coverage. We have some good guys that can do it, we have some guys that are great at it but we've all got to get great at it so we can blitz more, that’s our forte. Kicking, we need to replace Pat McAfee, but how do you replace a guy that has done all that he has done? On kick-off coverage, we were number two in the nation, Daniel, on punts and number 117 out of 119 on kick-offs. I’m the guy coaching both of them so I should get a raise for one and probably knocked on the head for the other one.

(Laughs) How important is this spring to Jarrett Brown, both as a passer and in terms of taking over that leadership role after four seasons of winning under Pat White?

Stewart: He is up against it. It is his ball. It’s his job to lose, he’s earned that right. I coached him here for three years before I became the head coach. All he’s ever done when he has gone in is won. Every game that he has started for Patrick White he has won. He has watched a lot of games for three years, studying Patrick's play. Really, for four years, but who knew Pat was going to be that good for four years when Jarrett came? I compliment him for staying, I compliment him for persevering. He is not Patrick White, he is a different player than Patrick White. But he is good leader, he leads in his own way. This is going to be a big spring for him.

Let’s get to the soap opera part of the segment. According to reports from Pro Day, you told teams Pat White would be a quarterback, so teams did not ask him to run routes. White said he didn’t run routes because he wasn’t asked to. What happened that day?

Stewart: Pat White is a quarterback. Patrick White is a quarterback and that is what he’s going to be. He was pitching and catching, and being worked out and did a good job. I didn’t what him to pull anything, so if someone wanted him to run routes then they can come on in and work him out. All I know is he's going to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick and to those people who don’t think he can play quarterback, I just hope he never plays against them because he will beat them. I run this ship in Morgantown, and I had one guy come up to me and say they were looking at him as their third quarterback. I looked over at him and wanted to say, “Have you ever seen your first and second quarterback play?” But that’s not my role. They’ve got their job, I’ve got my job. My job is to protect my players. We have had the Denver Broncos in here to work Patrick out, and he ran routes for them after he threw. We had the New England Patriots in here, and he ran routes for them after he threw. But I’m not going to get that kid throwing and running all these drills, exhausting himself or hurting himself trying to be a receiver when he is a quarterback. I’ll say it again: people who don’t think he’s a quarterback, I hope you never have to play against him because he will beat you. That’s the end of the story.

I guess I don’t need to ask you what’s your take on the whole Pat White debate?

Stewart: All these guys who sit in these TV booths, and there a lot of great guys many of whom are my friends, who keep on saying he’d be better as a receiver, they have never been on the sidelines and seen that fire in his eyes. I guess as long as they never have to play against him and lose, they never have to be accountable. I’m telling you guys, he’s a quarterback. He is the greatest winner in college football today. There are some NFL teams that agree with me and we’ll see when the Draft comes.

Tell me more about his intangibles. His leadership skills, I think because he is not that demonstrative and kind of quiet that gets overlooked a little bit.

Stewart: I’ll tell you what. I don’t know about NFL locker rooms, but I know some NFL coaches really well. I have worked with some NFL coaches and I know they win because they have great locker rooms. First and foremost, before Patrick White even goes to the field, he will always be a positive influence in the locker room. Second, he will always be a positive influence in the community. Thirdly, he will be a great role model in society because he is a powerful man of faith. Now, with all that is going on in the world today, why somebody wouldn’t want this guy in the locker room, quarterback or receiver, I don’t get it. All I can tell is what he did for us. He is the greatest winner I've ever been around in my 37 years of coaching. He is the only guy that has won four college football games and three MVPs. He is a four-time bowl winner, and in three of them, he was MVP.

Kenny Britt had 12 for 151 yards, you held Donald Brown to a season low 82 yards, LeSean McCoy ran for 183 yards and Hakeem Nicks had his memorable performance with eight catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns. I can bring these up because you went 3-1 in those games. Who was the most impressive player you went up against?

Stewart: You talk about Kenny Britt, Mike Teel and those kids are great. Kenny Britt, I love watching him play, but didn’t like playing against him. Man he can play. He is going to have a great future. Donald Brown, what can you say about that guy? LeSean McCoy, holy cow! You talk about great backs, I mean, they are great backs. Hakeem Nicks, you know what I told the defense at halftime? You want to hear some great coaching, Daniel? I’m at halftime in Charlotte. I walk in, I never say much to the defense. I tell them, “Fellas, that number 88 out there, Hakeem Nicks, you don’t have one guy, two guys, or probably three guys that can cover him.” Then I looked at them and said, “Good luck.” We had to get him off the field somehow, then offensively we need to spread out wealth, have to stay out there on third downs and that makes us the better football team. Daniel, it’s all about intangibles. The great ones are always going to take it to you, the Britts, Browns, McCoys and Nickes. Matt Grothe, I just love watching him play. I don’t like playing against him but my God, the kid just wins. There are so many great players in the Big East, Tony Pike is another one. There are just so many great players that scare us tremendously. I have such great respect for these people. Then you look at Dan Hawkins, the quarterback out there in Colorado, I’m already thinking about him. There are so many great players we’re going to play this year, it’s scary. We have to step our game up. We have to take better control of the ball. We have to stay on the field offensively and get off the field defensively and try to play field position. We are not there yet either. We’re going to be a young football team, we’re going to be very young. We’re not nearly there. I think 2010, 2011, and 2012 are going to be very exciting for West Virginia football. Daniel, I’m telling you the God’s truth, I’m worried about 2009 because of how many new players in key positions we have, if that makes sense.

Back in 1995 you gave a kid named Mike Tomlin his first job in the coaching business at the Virginia Military Institute. What do you remember from your first impressions of meeting the now Super Bowl winning head coach?

Stewart: I played against him in 1994. I have a warm spot in my heart for William & Mary because I coached there in 1981, 1982, and 1983, Michael was a senior captain with Shawn Knight on that 1994 William & Mary team that went to the playoffs. I was building the VMI program that first year. All I saw was a classy young man who could catch balls, block like Hines Ward, and played with such tenacity. He is just so tough, so dependable and just had fun. I watched him on film up to a game, after a game and I told my players, “You should just play like this guy”. Lo and behold, I got wind that he may want to go into coaching or law school, so I called up Jimmye Laycock, my old boss, and told him to tell me all about him. He told me, “Billy he’s everything you saw”. I told him to come up and visit me, so he came up and I talked him out of law school for a year and his Mother just about killed me, God bless her. She hugs me today for it today. I told him, “Come up here to VMI and coach for us”. I told him, “You’re going to be a coach”. First meeting, I come down there in the spring or fall, he’s 23 years old now and just played against these guys for four years. He said, “Coach, do I meet in there with coach Sherman?“, our quarterbacks coach, I said, “No Michael, you have your own room”. All I did was pat him on the backside and told him to make them play like you did. Let me tell you, I have walked by that meeting room, never had to poke my head in, never wanted to poke my head in because I wanted to give him that security. That guy coached back then exactly how he does now. A ball of fire, enthusiastic, a guy who knew what he was talking about. The best the receivers ever played at Virginia Military Institute was when Mike Tomlin was coaching them in 1995. We beat some good teams that year, including a big upset at Liberty. We beat some really good teams. Michael Tomlin was one of the reasons for that and I will forever be grateful. I told Hines Ward one day after a practice in camp, “If he had your God-given speed, he’d still be playing and you’d be coaching”. That’s how good Michael Tomlin was. A tremendous competitor and that’s why Mike Tomlin is successful with the Steelers and a great fit for the greatest organization in football. It’s a great marriage. But that’s why Mike Tomlin is who he is, and he’s just been that way since he was a young fella and I’m just so lucky to be a part of his life. I gave a guy a job and the rest is history. I’m proud to know him and honored to be his friend.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

All Access: Pat White QB Or Not QB

As NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche wrote last week, Pat White drew 25 NFL teams to West Virginia’s pro day workout. White said he would run pass routes and go through receiver drills upon request, but no teams requested. Now it looks like teams were waiting for their own private individual workouts to see White in other capacities. White worked out with the New England Patriots on Wednesday, spending the majority of the workout on wide receiver drills, and worked out with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, according to league sources.

Mancini's Take: It looks as though, White is finally coming around to running routes. The college quarterback can say all he wants about wanting to play his original position, but, at some point, economics have to enter the equation. White will be drafted higher as a receiver than he will as a signal caller, and therefore stands to make more money that way. The problem with the former Mountaineer as a quarterback has never been his arm, but his lack of size. White is about 6' tall...maybe, and rail thin. Why doesn't he throw on some weight, you ask? Well, that might be counterproductive in that more bulk might compromise his speed. I don't know about about you, great oracle, but I don't want to see a muscle-bound Pat White bouncing around out there like Donovan McNabb. I'd rather see him be a sleek, multi-purpose speedster.

Mandel's Take: I'm with you, Reverend. In my mind, White is going to be Slash 2.0. Remember that scene in Trading Places when people start to notice the Duke brothers are trying to corner the orange juice market? Then all of the other traders pile on, thinking that if the Dukes are investing, there must be something to it? Well, the Patriots are the Duke brothers. They do everything within the law--and sometimes outside the law--to ensure their own success and are envied and loathed by everyone else. If they think Pat White can be a useful player, the rest of the league is going to come around to that line of thinking, and they should. White can be a wildcat/WR at the very least and until he proves he can't play some QB in certain situations, he should be given a shot there too. When his name is announced, it should sound something like this, "The New England Patriots select...Pat White...Football player...West Virginia." I'd take him on my team any day. The game is evolving. Teams that recognize it will corner the orange juice market.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

Coaches Corner: HC Bill Stewart, WVU

Coach Stew is 10-4 as headman of the West Virginia Mountaineers out of the BIG EAST, including Bowl wins over a highly touted Oklahoma Sooners team led by Bob Stoops in his first games in the Fiesta Bowl as WVU's head coach and a thrilling victory over Butch Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Stewart joins College Football Insiders founder Daniel Mogollon in this CFI Coaches Corner on the eve of West Virginia Spring Football, filling us in on what the Mountaineers hope to accomplish this spring, as well as giving insight on several players heading into the 2009 NFL Draft, including his take on the great Pat White debate. What happened at the Mountaineer's Pro Day? Is Jarrett Brown ready to take over the reigns? How impressed was he with the likes of Kenny Britt, Donald Brown, Shady McCoy and Hakeem Nicks?

Click to find out and much more, including the lowdown on Mike Tomlin as a rookie coach fresh out of college back in 1995. 19 Min.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

OT RYAN STANCHECK On All Access Radio

Ryan Stancheck was among the most productive offensive lineman in the nation over the past three years in Morgantown, earning All-Big East honors all three seasons and All-American honors as a junior and a senior. Playing in West Virginia’s spread attack allowed Stancheck’s strengths to come to the forefront, as he was one of the more mobile and athletic college linemen during his career. The former Mountaineer is also known for his character, leadership skills, work ethic and understanding of the game. Stancheck joins Player Spotlight host John Sears to talk about his college career, preparing for the draft and his upcoming Pro Day at West Virginia where he hopes to impress scouts and earn a draft spot.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

This Date in College Football History

Aug. 30, 1997: In Morgantown, West Virginia defeats Marshall 42-31 in the first meeting between the intrastate rivals since 1923. The Thundering Herd, led by future Heisman trophy finalists Randy Moss and Chad Pennington (1999 NFF Draddy Trophy winner) are turned away in the team's return to Division I-A.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

CFI RANKINGS: #11 WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

2007 RECORD: 11-2; ACC: 5-2
Won Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma 48-28
LOCATION: Morgantown, West Virginia
STADIUM: Mountaineer Field (60,000)
HEAD COACH: Bill Stewart
OVERALL: 9-25 (3 seasons)
AT WEST VIRGINIA: 1-0 (0 seasons)

WVU enters the season having won 11 games for three straight years, including two Big East Championships and a pair of BCS upsets—over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Not only have they overcome traditional powers from the big bad SEC and the Big 12, but doubters from sea to shining sea as well. Now they must conquer what may be their biggest challenge—replacing Rich Rodriguez, the man who brought WVU to the mountaintop.

WHEN THE MOUNTAINEERS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Mullen (1st Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
KEY LOSSES: Steve Slaton, Owen Schmitt, Darius Reynaud

The architect of WVU’s spread offense may be gone, but the Mountaineer faithful remain calmly in their seats because the captain of their ship returns. It’s no coincidence that the Mountaineers’ run has coincided with Pat White’s tenure as quarterback. White may be the most dynamic player with the football in his hands, regardless of position. When he is on the field, the Mountaineers are capable of wracking up points against any defense in the nation. Making this backfield a dynamic duo is sophomore TB Noel Devine, an absolute blur in the open field. Devine figures to put up monster numbers, however how many times can the 170-pounder carry the pigskin? While the focus is on speed, the Mountaineer playmakers will benefit from a stellar offensive line, which features All-Big East candidates OT Ryan Stancheck and OG Greg Isdaner. White has improved his skills as a passer, but they will have to replace Darius Reynaud who caught 44 percent of White’s completions and 86 percent of his touchdown passes. Don’t be surprised if Mr. White catches a touchdown pass or two with Jarrett Brown triggering the offense sometime this season.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) QB Pate White (SR), 2) RB Noel Devine (SO)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Casteel (7th Season/8th at West Virginia)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Marc Magro, Ryan Mundy, Eric Wicks, Antonio Lewis, Johnny Dingle, Keilen Dykes

They return three players who can hit and stop the run in a pair of senior backers, MIKE Reed Williams and SAM Mortty Ivy, and junior Bandit Quinton Andrews. Williams and Andrews were their top two tacklers last season, but they must replace eight of their top 11 tacklers from a year ago. On the defensive line, the player they need to step up the most is sophomore DT Scooter Berry. Andrews is the lone returning starter in a secondary that features five players in West Virginia’s base defense. The troika of Ryan Mundy, Eric Wicks and Antonio Lewis has moved on—each had three interceptions while no other Mountaineer posted even two in 2007. Their pass rush is also depleted with their top two sackers Johnny Dingle (9 sacks) and Marc Magro (6 sacks) having moved on as well. Ivy did have six sacks, but Andrews’ 1.5 is the second most among the returnees.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) SS Quinton Andrews (JR), 2) DT Scooter Berry (SO)

THE SCHEDULE

The Mountaineers play a couple of intriguing out of conference games on Thursday nights. First they fly out to Boulder in September to take on the Buffs and take a closer look at the Rockies. Then, the Auburn Tigers come to the highlands of West Virginia for a rare late October inter-conference battle between what should be ranked foes. If they get by the SEC West giant, WVU’s national title hopes could come down to their final two games as they make a trip north over the border to face rival Pittsburgh, the club that spoiled their chances last season. If they get past the Panthers, WVU must then overcome South Florida, who has handed them two of their last three losses.

PIVOTAL POINT

Reload: As long as Pat White is in shotgun, they are in win now mode, but is there enough talent for the Mountaineers to simply reload? Steve Slaton led WVU running backs in rushing three years in a row. Reynaud has led the team in receptions the last two years and receiving touchdowns in two of the past three. Their losses on the defensive side of the ball have already been documented. If the Mountaineers are to continue their run of 11 wins and take home another Big East title, they will need several players to step up and make an impact.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

From an individual talent perspective, WVU has not been overly impressive…one only needs to check the last couple of NFL Drafts—it’s not loaded with players from the Mountain State. They have been the ultimate team—better than the sum of their parts—and isn’t that what college football is all about? With so many players gone from last season, the Mountaineers need everyone to play their part more than ever. The base is there with White, Devine and the offensive line, the other pieces will decide whether they reach their peak.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication

White's Late TD Lifts No. 6 Mountaineers

By JOHN RABY
AP Sports Writer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Pat White scored on a 50-yard run with 1:36 remaining and also threw two touchdown passes to help No. 6 West Virginia beat Louisville 38-31 on Thursday night.

Brian Brohm brought Louisville from 17 points down in the second half, with the Cardinals tying it on Art Carmody's 37-yard field goal with 3:05 left. White then capped a 65-yard drive with his scoring run up the left sideline.

Brohm, who broke his own Big East record with his seventh 300-yard game of the season, threw a desperation pass that Antonio Lewis intercepted at the West Virginia 7.

The win allowed West Virginia (8-1, 3-1 Big East) to remain on Connecticut's heels for a berth in the Bowl Championship Series with three games left, including a key matchup next week at Cincinnati.

Louisville (5-5, 2-3 Big East) was eliminated from the conference title chase. The Cardinals need a win either at South Florida or at home against Rutgers to become bowl eligible for a 10th straight season.

White ran 24 times for 147 yards and threw for 181 more in his third straight stellar game against the Cardinals.

Brohm completed 27 of 46 passes for 345 yards, but was intercepted twice and sacked four times.

Louisville held the nation's third-best rushing attack to 216 yards and leading rusher Steve Slaton had just 60 yards on 17 carries, his second-lowest total of the season.

White and Slaton fumbled the ball away a combined three times in the second half to help Louisville get back into the game and the Mountaineers, the least penalized team in the Big East, were flagged 11 times for 116 yards.

White fumbled on West Virginia's first possession of the third quarter, but Brohm was hit going back to pass by John Holmes. Eric Wicks scooped up the ball and ran 44 yards for a TD to give the Mountaineers a 31-14 lead.

After Slaton's fumble gave Louisville the ball at the West Virginia 46 late in the third quarter, a pass-interference call on Ryan Mundy gave Louisville the ball at the 2. Brock Bolen scored from there to pull Louisville to 31-21.

A pass-interference call on Ellis Lankster gave Louisville a first down at the West Virginia 12, and Brohm found Mario Urrutia in the end zone on the next play over an outstretched Lankster to bring the Cardinals to 31-28 with 10:32 left.

They were the first points given up by West Virginia's defense in the fourth quarter in five games.

Penalties against West Virginia on consecutive plays put Louisville in field goal range for Carmody's tying kick.

West Virginia is 51-1 since 2000 when scoring at least 30 points.

Darius Reynaud caught first-quarter TD passes of 7 and 9 yards, the latter after a fumble recovery, and Reynaud's 23-yard catch set up a short TD run by Slaton midway through the second for a 21-7 lead.

West Virginia mustered little offense on its final two drives of the half, enabling Louisville to move closer. Brohm hit George Stripling with a 44-yard screen pass to set up Brohm's 1-yard TD sneak late in the half.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communications