Post by rainman on Sept 11, 2007 5:57:59 GMT -5
White says strong start is vital
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Quarterback Patrick White thinks it’s very important that No. 4-ranked West Virginia (2-0) get off to a strong start on Thursday night against upset-minded Maryland (2-0) at College Park, Md.
“We definitely have to put points on the board, and I’m sure their defense will be ready,” he said Monday night. “It’s a big game and we’re going into one of the louder places. The crowd definitely will get into the game.”
The Terps like to control the ball and are No. 1 in the nation in time of possession. They have allowed just 50.5 plays and an average of 24 minutes per game.
“I’m in the Big East and I enjoy playing Big East teams,” White said. “This ACC team is pretty good competition. But this is another week of football, and it doesn’t really matter who we’re playing.”
WVU, which leads the all-time series by 22-21-2, defeated Maryland in the last three meetings. A fourth consecutive victory would be a “first” for the Mountaineers in this border-state rivalry.
“If we can beat an ACC team, we’ll get a little more respect,” White suggested. “How are we going to do it? By playing Mountaineer football for four quarters.”
He said the quick turnaround from last Saturday’s 48-23 win at Marshall does require him to do a little bit of cramming. “You also have less time to get ready,” he continued. “But we should be all right.
“We’ll get into the film room and study tapes. If you’re not prepared, you will lose.”
He said it takes two or three days for his body to be ready to go again after a game. But when he’s on the field and the juices are flowing, he doesn’t think about bumps, bruises or pain.
For the first two games, White has completed 23 of 36 passes (63.9 percent) for 341 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, he has netted 222 yards rushing on 26 keeper plays and scored three touchdowns.
The Mountaineers exploded for 42 points in the second half after trailing Marshall at halftime by 13-6.
Time Change
The starting time for West Virginia’s home football game with East Carolina on Saturday, Sept.. 22, has been changed from 3:30 p.m. to noon to accommodate television.
WVU officials said the contest will be nationally televised by either ESPN or ESPN2. A decision on which network will air it is to be made early next week.
Weekly Awards
Meantime, WVU coaches named these weekly award winners for last week’s 48-23 victory over Marshall:
Offensive champion, Darius Reynaud; defensive champion, Ryan Mundy; special teams champion, none.
Scout champions: Phil Conroy (offense), defensive champions Julian Miller and Jim Lewis (defense), and Evan Rodriguez (special teams champion).
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Quarterback Patrick White thinks it’s very important that No. 4-ranked West Virginia (2-0) get off to a strong start on Thursday night against upset-minded Maryland (2-0) at College Park, Md.
“We definitely have to put points on the board, and I’m sure their defense will be ready,” he said Monday night. “It’s a big game and we’re going into one of the louder places. The crowd definitely will get into the game.”
The Terps like to control the ball and are No. 1 in the nation in time of possession. They have allowed just 50.5 plays and an average of 24 minutes per game.
“I’m in the Big East and I enjoy playing Big East teams,” White said. “This ACC team is pretty good competition. But this is another week of football, and it doesn’t really matter who we’re playing.”
WVU, which leads the all-time series by 22-21-2, defeated Maryland in the last three meetings. A fourth consecutive victory would be a “first” for the Mountaineers in this border-state rivalry.
“If we can beat an ACC team, we’ll get a little more respect,” White suggested. “How are we going to do it? By playing Mountaineer football for four quarters.”
He said the quick turnaround from last Saturday’s 48-23 win at Marshall does require him to do a little bit of cramming. “You also have less time to get ready,” he continued. “But we should be all right.
“We’ll get into the film room and study tapes. If you’re not prepared, you will lose.”
He said it takes two or three days for his body to be ready to go again after a game. But when he’s on the field and the juices are flowing, he doesn’t think about bumps, bruises or pain.
For the first two games, White has completed 23 of 36 passes (63.9 percent) for 341 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, he has netted 222 yards rushing on 26 keeper plays and scored three touchdowns.
The Mountaineers exploded for 42 points in the second half after trailing Marshall at halftime by 13-6.
Time Change
The starting time for West Virginia’s home football game with East Carolina on Saturday, Sept.. 22, has been changed from 3:30 p.m. to noon to accommodate television.
WVU officials said the contest will be nationally televised by either ESPN or ESPN2. A decision on which network will air it is to be made early next week.
Weekly Awards
Meantime, WVU coaches named these weekly award winners for last week’s 48-23 victory over Marshall:
Offensive champion, Darius Reynaud; defensive champion, Ryan Mundy; special teams champion, none.
Scout champions: Phil Conroy (offense), defensive champions Julian Miller and Jim Lewis (defense), and Evan Rodriguez (special teams champion).
