Post by elp525 on Sept 24, 2011 6:16:08 GMT -5
Saturday, September 24, 2011
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia's football team gets its chance to show America what it is when the lights come up at Mountaineer Field tonight.
The No. 16 Mountaineers take on No. 2 LSU in a prime-time national television game that feels far more important than the usual contest slated for the fourth week of the season.
"This is our chance. Our shot to prove West Virginia is just as good as any other school," said defensive end Bruce Irvin. "This is probably the biggest game of my life right here. It's what it's all about."
Setting aside conference-realignment talk, the fate of West Virginia athletics and ESPN College GameDay buzz, it is time for football.
All week, the Mountaineers have heard about the Tigers' nationally ranked defense -- the secondary that has allowed just two gains of 15-yards or longer, the blitz, the depth, the overwhelming speed.
"They man you up," said quarterback Geno Smith. "They feel their athletes will beat your athletes. We look forward to playing good teams, tough opponents. We'll be ready."
How the offensive line handles LSU's defensive front, an aggressive, antagonizing lot, will go a long way in determining how successful Smith and his offense can be.
"I'm quite sure [Smith] will be the best quarterback they've seen," said WVU receiver Stedman Bailey. "I know they're big and aggressive, but we have pretty talented guys."
LSU's defensive backfield is as daunting as the line.
Five defensive backs lead the team in tackles. Cornerback Tyrann Mathie has 24 through three games.
Mountaineers playmakers will have to perform well, and protection of the ball will be paramount. Depth might also be a factor.
"This offense, they don't know who's getting the ball," said WVU receiver Tavon Austin.
LSU's offense is balanced: The Tigers run the ball for 166 yards a game and pass for 178.
Quarterback Jarrett Lee, filling in for suspended Jordan Jefferson, will look to drop back and throw often.
"This is football right here. Backyard, smashmouth, downhill football," said Irvin. "Ain't none of that spreading it out, two-, three-, four-wide. They're coming right at you. You've got to play your assignment. You've got to get under them big boys."
Irvin said the defense will not be able to focus too much on getting to the quarterback because the LSU offensive line is big and poses a threat.
"You've got to worry about the O-line before you worry about him," said Irvin. "We've got to worry about getting past them big boys to get to him. Jarrett Lee is a good quarterback. He's not looking to run the ball, he's looking to throw. He's a good quarterback. Hopefully, we can get past those guys and get to him."
Players believe confidence will be a factor, too.
Last year, West Virginia lost, 20-14, at Baton Rouge.
"I want to win. I want to do something big for the state of West Virginia," said Bailey. "If we were to knock off the No. 2 team in the country, there's no telling."
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Today
•Game: No. 16 West Virginia (3-0) vs. No. 2 LSU (3-0), 8 p.m. Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, W.Va. LSU is favored by 6.
•TV, Radio, Internet: WTAE, WBGG-AM (970), Sirius Channel 91, MSNsportsNET.com.
•West Virginia: Coming off a 37-31 win at Maryland. ... Quarterback Geno Smith completed 36 of 49 passes with one interception for 388 yards and 1 TD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia's football team gets its chance to show America what it is when the lights come up at Mountaineer Field tonight.
The No. 16 Mountaineers take on No. 2 LSU in a prime-time national television game that feels far more important than the usual contest slated for the fourth week of the season.
"This is our chance. Our shot to prove West Virginia is just as good as any other school," said defensive end Bruce Irvin. "This is probably the biggest game of my life right here. It's what it's all about."
Setting aside conference-realignment talk, the fate of West Virginia athletics and ESPN College GameDay buzz, it is time for football.
All week, the Mountaineers have heard about the Tigers' nationally ranked defense -- the secondary that has allowed just two gains of 15-yards or longer, the blitz, the depth, the overwhelming speed.
"They man you up," said quarterback Geno Smith. "They feel their athletes will beat your athletes. We look forward to playing good teams, tough opponents. We'll be ready."
How the offensive line handles LSU's defensive front, an aggressive, antagonizing lot, will go a long way in determining how successful Smith and his offense can be.
"I'm quite sure [Smith] will be the best quarterback they've seen," said WVU receiver Stedman Bailey. "I know they're big and aggressive, but we have pretty talented guys."
LSU's defensive backfield is as daunting as the line.
Five defensive backs lead the team in tackles. Cornerback Tyrann Mathie has 24 through three games.
Mountaineers playmakers will have to perform well, and protection of the ball will be paramount. Depth might also be a factor.
"This offense, they don't know who's getting the ball," said WVU receiver Tavon Austin.
LSU's offense is balanced: The Tigers run the ball for 166 yards a game and pass for 178.
Quarterback Jarrett Lee, filling in for suspended Jordan Jefferson, will look to drop back and throw often.
"This is football right here. Backyard, smashmouth, downhill football," said Irvin. "Ain't none of that spreading it out, two-, three-, four-wide. They're coming right at you. You've got to play your assignment. You've got to get under them big boys."
Irvin said the defense will not be able to focus too much on getting to the quarterback because the LSU offensive line is big and poses a threat.
"You've got to worry about the O-line before you worry about him," said Irvin. "We've got to worry about getting past them big boys to get to him. Jarrett Lee is a good quarterback. He's not looking to run the ball, he's looking to throw. He's a good quarterback. Hopefully, we can get past those guys and get to him."
Players believe confidence will be a factor, too.
Last year, West Virginia lost, 20-14, at Baton Rouge.
"I want to win. I want to do something big for the state of West Virginia," said Bailey. "If we were to knock off the No. 2 team in the country, there's no telling."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today
•Game: No. 16 West Virginia (3-0) vs. No. 2 LSU (3-0), 8 p.m. Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, W.Va. LSU is favored by 6.
•TV, Radio, Internet: WTAE, WBGG-AM (970), Sirius Channel 91, MSNsportsNET.com.
•West Virginia: Coming off a 37-31 win at Maryland. ... Quarterback Geno Smith completed 36 of 49 passes with one interception for 388 yards and 1 TD.
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