Post by elp525 on Sept 17, 2011 4:04:00 GMT -5
Saturday, September 17, 2011
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Today, West Virginia's defense will find out just how tough it is.
The Mountaineers take on Maryland at noon at Byrd Stadium in College Park, their first crack at a high-tempo, dynamic offense with legitimate playmakers.
Despite holding its first two opponents to just six field goals and no touchdowns, defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel said his defense has a lot of room for improvement.
"We have a long way to go," he said. "We're really not very consistent. We're a work in progress."
Paramount on his mind is a lack of forced turnovers -- the defense created none against Marshall and Division I-AA Norfolk State.
Against Norfolk, the Mountaineers nearly had a chance to recover a fumble but didn't when the ball took a fortuitous bounce toward a Spartans player.
"We've got to force turnovers," he said. "We're not doing that. ... We work on it every day ... we've just got to continue to work on it."
The defense has shown dominance on third down, allowing the Spartans to convert just 4 of 11 on third down and Marshall 7 of 14.
But Maryland is a different animal.
"This defense really has something to prove," linebacker Doug Rigg said. "Maryland will be the best team we've played so far. Even though we haven't let up that many points so far the big question is 'Well you didn't play quality opponents.' This is the real true test to see if this defense is the real deal or just an average old defense."
The Terrapins debuted with a 32-24 win against Miami two weeks ago, showcasing an offense with a lot of playmakers.
The Terrapins spread the field, use a lot of short, quick screen passes and run it when need be under first year coach Randy Edsall, the former coach at Connecticut.
"They've balanced in terms of the run and the pass," said Casteel. "They get the ball out of the hands, use a lot of screens and that slows you down a little bit in terms of the pass rush."
Bruce Irvin, who had three sacks against Maryland last year, will be trying to get to quarterback Danny O'Brien, who threw for 348 yards against Miami, including a 52-yarder, and is a very strong passer when he has time to plant and throw.
"He's good," said Irvin. "That's our biggest thing. You've got to let him feel you. You've got to get pressure on the quarterback."
Maryland running back Davin Meggett amassed 126 all-purpose yards against Miami and tight end Matt Furstenberg had four receptions for 68 yards, all for first downs.
West Virginia produced one of the best defenses in the country a year ago, ranking No. 2 against the run and in sacks. The unit was a question to begin the season because so few starters returned.
Today, they will start to answer some of the bigger questions.
"Maryland's got good players, good scheme," said Casteel. "You're going to have to play well to beat them."
•
NOTES -- Maryland receivers Ronnie Tyler and Quintin McCree were suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules late Thursday. They are key to the passing attack.
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Today, West Virginia's defense will find out just how tough it is.
The Mountaineers take on Maryland at noon at Byrd Stadium in College Park, their first crack at a high-tempo, dynamic offense with legitimate playmakers.
Despite holding its first two opponents to just six field goals and no touchdowns, defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel said his defense has a lot of room for improvement.
"We have a long way to go," he said. "We're really not very consistent. We're a work in progress."
Paramount on his mind is a lack of forced turnovers -- the defense created none against Marshall and Division I-AA Norfolk State.
Against Norfolk, the Mountaineers nearly had a chance to recover a fumble but didn't when the ball took a fortuitous bounce toward a Spartans player.
"We've got to force turnovers," he said. "We're not doing that. ... We work on it every day ... we've just got to continue to work on it."
The defense has shown dominance on third down, allowing the Spartans to convert just 4 of 11 on third down and Marshall 7 of 14.
But Maryland is a different animal.
"This defense really has something to prove," linebacker Doug Rigg said. "Maryland will be the best team we've played so far. Even though we haven't let up that many points so far the big question is 'Well you didn't play quality opponents.' This is the real true test to see if this defense is the real deal or just an average old defense."
The Terrapins debuted with a 32-24 win against Miami two weeks ago, showcasing an offense with a lot of playmakers.
The Terrapins spread the field, use a lot of short, quick screen passes and run it when need be under first year coach Randy Edsall, the former coach at Connecticut.
"They've balanced in terms of the run and the pass," said Casteel. "They get the ball out of the hands, use a lot of screens and that slows you down a little bit in terms of the pass rush."
Bruce Irvin, who had three sacks against Maryland last year, will be trying to get to quarterback Danny O'Brien, who threw for 348 yards against Miami, including a 52-yarder, and is a very strong passer when he has time to plant and throw.
"He's good," said Irvin. "That's our biggest thing. You've got to let him feel you. You've got to get pressure on the quarterback."
Maryland running back Davin Meggett amassed 126 all-purpose yards against Miami and tight end Matt Furstenberg had four receptions for 68 yards, all for first downs.
West Virginia produced one of the best defenses in the country a year ago, ranking No. 2 against the run and in sacks. The unit was a question to begin the season because so few starters returned.
Today, they will start to answer some of the bigger questions.
"Maryland's got good players, good scheme," said Casteel. "You're going to have to play well to beat them."
•
NOTES -- Maryland receivers Ronnie Tyler and Quintin McCree were suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules late Thursday. They are key to the passing attack.
