Post by rainman on Sept 20, 2007 5:54:36 GMT -5
Magro: ‘D’ ahead of 2006 pace
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Linebacker Marc Magro thinks No. 5 West Virginia’s defense is better now than it was after the first three games of last season.
“There are many reasons for that,” said the 6-3, 240-pound senior from Morgantown. “Guys have been in the system longer. They understand where everybody is supposed to be on the field.
“We’re executing better as a unit. And I think we’re getting bigger plays. Our goal always is to stop the run and control the pass.”
In posting decisive victories over Western Michigan, Marshall and Maryland, the Mountaineers have given up 20.3 points, 80.7 yards rushing, 230.3 yards passing and 311.0 yards in total offense per game.
Offensively, WVU is averaging 47.0 points, 343.7 yards rushing, 156.7 yards passing and 500.3 yards in total offense per game.
“An opposing team doesn’t really know exactly who’s going to come at them on blitzes,” Magro said. “We’ve got three down linemen, but there could be a number of factors with linebackers and D-backs. So it’s hard for them to know who’s coming.
“From our perspective, we don’t know exactly how they’re going to be blocking us.”
That’s why WVU will vary defensive schemes, depending on the situation.
West Virginia plays East Carolina at noon on Saturday before a sold-out crowd of more than 60,000 at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium.
“(The Pirates) certainly are going to try to run the ball and also pass it,” Magro said. “They have some great athletes, just like we do. Patrick Pinkney is one of the best quarterbacks we’ve faced.
“He’s very athletic. He’s elusive. So we’re really going to have to try to shut him down. He’s looking really good. We’re going to have to study more film on him.”
Magro, who’s the team’s third-leading tackler 21, said it’s best to keep the quarterback in the pocket.
“You don’t want to let him get outside and run away from you,” he stressed.
“Their offensive schemes allow him to get into position to make plays. And they put him in open field, too.”
Magro said the players don’t really worry much about the national rankings. WVU slipped from third to fifth after its last two victories, other teams moving up with wins over stronger teams.
“We try to approach every game the same,” he noted. “It’s a long season, and you want to win every game to accomplish their goals. So we have to play this game like each of the others. This is one of the better teams we play.”
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Linebacker Marc Magro thinks No. 5 West Virginia’s defense is better now than it was after the first three games of last season.
“There are many reasons for that,” said the 6-3, 240-pound senior from Morgantown. “Guys have been in the system longer. They understand where everybody is supposed to be on the field.
“We’re executing better as a unit. And I think we’re getting bigger plays. Our goal always is to stop the run and control the pass.”
In posting decisive victories over Western Michigan, Marshall and Maryland, the Mountaineers have given up 20.3 points, 80.7 yards rushing, 230.3 yards passing and 311.0 yards in total offense per game.
Offensively, WVU is averaging 47.0 points, 343.7 yards rushing, 156.7 yards passing and 500.3 yards in total offense per game.
“An opposing team doesn’t really know exactly who’s going to come at them on blitzes,” Magro said. “We’ve got three down linemen, but there could be a number of factors with linebackers and D-backs. So it’s hard for them to know who’s coming.
“From our perspective, we don’t know exactly how they’re going to be blocking us.”
That’s why WVU will vary defensive schemes, depending on the situation.
West Virginia plays East Carolina at noon on Saturday before a sold-out crowd of more than 60,000 at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium.
“(The Pirates) certainly are going to try to run the ball and also pass it,” Magro said. “They have some great athletes, just like we do. Patrick Pinkney is one of the best quarterbacks we’ve faced.
“He’s very athletic. He’s elusive. So we’re really going to have to try to shut him down. He’s looking really good. We’re going to have to study more film on him.”
Magro, who’s the team’s third-leading tackler 21, said it’s best to keep the quarterback in the pocket.
“You don’t want to let him get outside and run away from you,” he stressed.
“Their offensive schemes allow him to get into position to make plays. And they put him in open field, too.”
Magro said the players don’t really worry much about the national rankings. WVU slipped from third to fifth after its last two victories, other teams moving up with wins over stronger teams.
“We try to approach every game the same,” he noted. “It’s a long season, and you want to win every game to accomplish their goals. So we have to play this game like each of the others. This is one of the better teams we play.”
