Post by rainman on Oct 6, 2007 6:18:04 GMT -5
No. 13 WVU hopes to rebound today at Syracuse
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
SYRACUSE, N.Y.— West Virginia University’s football team tries to rebound from its 21-13 loss at South Florida by beating underdog Syracuse here Saturday.
The 13th-ranked Mountaineers (4-1, 0-1) and the Orange (1-4, 1-0) are featured as the Big East Game of the Week. The kickoff is set for noon.
ESPN Regional will televise the action. WVU is listed as a 27-point favorite.
A much smaller crowd than usual is expected in the Carrier Dome because Syracuse has been struggling steadily under third-year head coach Greg Robinson.
Even SU fans with season’s tickets reportedly are not using them, despite the Orange’s amazing 38-35 upset of then-nationally-ranked Louisville on Sept. 22 in Kentucky.
Patrick White is expected to start at quarterback for WVU, although coach Rich Rodriguez has said it will be a game-day decision.
The outstanding junior suffered a bruised thigh against USF. But he was back on the field and practiced as early as last Tuesday.
Sophomore Jarrett Brown, who played the second half of last week’s loss, and senior Adam Bednarik also will be available if needed.
“Hopefully, we learned from the USF game and will be ready for another challenge on the road,” said Rodriguez, who’s seeking the 100th victory of his coaching career.
Coach Robinson said, “A good start against West Virginia would be very, very helpful. Losing to Miami (Ohio) last week wasn’t good. But I think our guys are looking forward to playing this game.”
Andrew Robinson, the Orange’s first-year starting quarterback, has been impressive. He has completed 78 of 140 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns.
He has thrown just one interception.
Wide receivers Tau Smith (19-342-3) and Mike Williams (16-260-3) lead Syracuse in receptions. Smith is a 6-1 junior and Williams a 6-2 sophomore.
Tailback Curtis Brinkley, a 5-9, 203-pound junior, is SU’s top rusher with a net 183 yards on 71 carries. He also has caught nine passes for 149 yards.
WVU All-America tailback Steve Slaton remembers what it’s like to play in the Carrier Dome.
“I’ve been there before (in 2005) and I think I can prepare for the noise,” he said earlier in the week. “So it’s going to be like any other game, except it’s in the Dome.
“I watched some of Syracuse on film and also the Louisville game on TV. So I’ve looked at their defense.”
Slaton needs just one more rushing touchdown to break the career record of 42. It was set by Ira Errett Rodgers (1915-16-17-19) and tied by Avon Cobourne (1999-2002).
With 556 yards and nine touchdowns on 97 rushing plays, Slaton ranks among the nation’s Top 5 in most offensive categories.
White has passed for 717 yards and six scores (61-87-1) and added 322 yards and six TDs on 55 keeper plays.
WVU eked out a 15-7 decision on its last visit to Syracuse. Last year’s 41-17 decision in Morgantown ran the school’s series win streak to five.
Linebacker Marc Magro recalled, “I remember that the 2005 game up there was low-scoring. Defensively, we played pretty well. It was the season’s opening game.”
Eric Wicks also recalls that trip. “We were struggling, and I ended up getting a big play...,” he recalled. “I hope to get another one this week.”
Indeed, the senior safety intercepted a pass and returned it 31 yards for the team’s only touchdown.
Pat McAfee, then a freshman, kicked field goals of 33 and 26 yards. The other two points came on a safety.
“I remember the Carrier Dome was rocking,” he said. “It was my first time in there and my first game.
“A little nervous at the start, but that didn’t last long. It really was wild in the Dome, though.”
This is WVU’s fourth game on the road at the halfway mark of the season. The Mountaineers finally will have an open date next week.
Mississippi State visits Morgantown on Saturday, Oct. 20, for a non-conference game. Syracuse will stay home to meet Rutgers next Saturday.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
SYRACUSE, N.Y.— West Virginia University’s football team tries to rebound from its 21-13 loss at South Florida by beating underdog Syracuse here Saturday.
The 13th-ranked Mountaineers (4-1, 0-1) and the Orange (1-4, 1-0) are featured as the Big East Game of the Week. The kickoff is set for noon.
ESPN Regional will televise the action. WVU is listed as a 27-point favorite.
A much smaller crowd than usual is expected in the Carrier Dome because Syracuse has been struggling steadily under third-year head coach Greg Robinson.
Even SU fans with season’s tickets reportedly are not using them, despite the Orange’s amazing 38-35 upset of then-nationally-ranked Louisville on Sept. 22 in Kentucky.
Patrick White is expected to start at quarterback for WVU, although coach Rich Rodriguez has said it will be a game-day decision.
The outstanding junior suffered a bruised thigh against USF. But he was back on the field and practiced as early as last Tuesday.
Sophomore Jarrett Brown, who played the second half of last week’s loss, and senior Adam Bednarik also will be available if needed.
“Hopefully, we learned from the USF game and will be ready for another challenge on the road,” said Rodriguez, who’s seeking the 100th victory of his coaching career.
Coach Robinson said, “A good start against West Virginia would be very, very helpful. Losing to Miami (Ohio) last week wasn’t good. But I think our guys are looking forward to playing this game.”
Andrew Robinson, the Orange’s first-year starting quarterback, has been impressive. He has completed 78 of 140 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns.
He has thrown just one interception.
Wide receivers Tau Smith (19-342-3) and Mike Williams (16-260-3) lead Syracuse in receptions. Smith is a 6-1 junior and Williams a 6-2 sophomore.
Tailback Curtis Brinkley, a 5-9, 203-pound junior, is SU’s top rusher with a net 183 yards on 71 carries. He also has caught nine passes for 149 yards.
WVU All-America tailback Steve Slaton remembers what it’s like to play in the Carrier Dome.
“I’ve been there before (in 2005) and I think I can prepare for the noise,” he said earlier in the week. “So it’s going to be like any other game, except it’s in the Dome.
“I watched some of Syracuse on film and also the Louisville game on TV. So I’ve looked at their defense.”
Slaton needs just one more rushing touchdown to break the career record of 42. It was set by Ira Errett Rodgers (1915-16-17-19) and tied by Avon Cobourne (1999-2002).
With 556 yards and nine touchdowns on 97 rushing plays, Slaton ranks among the nation’s Top 5 in most offensive categories.
White has passed for 717 yards and six scores (61-87-1) and added 322 yards and six TDs on 55 keeper plays.
WVU eked out a 15-7 decision on its last visit to Syracuse. Last year’s 41-17 decision in Morgantown ran the school’s series win streak to five.
Linebacker Marc Magro recalled, “I remember that the 2005 game up there was low-scoring. Defensively, we played pretty well. It was the season’s opening game.”
Eric Wicks also recalls that trip. “We were struggling, and I ended up getting a big play...,” he recalled. “I hope to get another one this week.”
Indeed, the senior safety intercepted a pass and returned it 31 yards for the team’s only touchdown.
Pat McAfee, then a freshman, kicked field goals of 33 and 26 yards. The other two points came on a safety.
“I remember the Carrier Dome was rocking,” he said. “It was my first time in there and my first game.
“A little nervous at the start, but that didn’t last long. It really was wild in the Dome, though.”
This is WVU’s fourth game on the road at the halfway mark of the season. The Mountaineers finally will have an open date next week.
Mississippi State visits Morgantown on Saturday, Oct. 20, for a non-conference game. Syracuse will stay home to meet Rutgers next Saturday.
