Post by cviller on Sept 28, 2007 7:49:46 GMT -5
By Mike Casazza
Daily Mail sportswriter
MORGANTOWN -- Even though he is one half of what may now be the premier matchup of quarterbacks in the Big East, it's unfair to ask West Virginia's Patrick White his opinion of his Friday night counterpart, South Florida's Matt Grothe.
"When I'm watching South Florida," White said, "I'm watching the defense."
Fortunately, there is one person who has watched both players. WVU quarterbacks coach Rod Smith was at USF the previous six years, the final two as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, meaning he was with Grothe from his first day on campus to Smith's last.
"Pat is a much more athletic quarterback," Smith said. "I think Pat throws the ball extremely well and I think Pat runs the ball extremely well. I think Pat White is the best quarterback in the country."
Just when it seemed neutrality had escaped the conversation like White escapes the grasp of defenders, Smith went back to his former pupil who leads the No. 18 Bulls (3-0) as they play host to No. 5 WVU (4-0) in Friday's 8 p.m. ESPN2 game inside sold out Raymond James Stadium.
"I think Matt Grothe is a very good quarterback as well," Smith sad. "I think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country. They have similar strengths. Matt's a guy who understands football and has a great savviness to him. He's a great competitor. You can say the same things about Pat."
There is no disputing White and Grothe are similar players in similar offenses. Yet among the likenesses, there are slight differences that serve to separate the two. White, 6-feet and 185 pounds, is faster. Grothe, 6-feet and 200 pounds, is bigger. Grothe is more likely to make a play with a pass, White with a run. White was the Big East's offensive player of the year in 2006, Grothe the rookie of the year.
It goes on and on.
"Grothe has a different style," WVU safety Quinton Andrews said. "He's a quarterback who wants to throw. He has the ability to run, but he runs more when the pocket collapses so he can still make plays for his team. He's really intelligent when he makes those decisions. Pat is faster and more of an elusive runner who mostly runs on plays called for him."
Grothe is 58-for-96 for 652 yards and four touchdowns. He's run 38 times for 88 yards and one score.
White is 49-for-69 for 617 yards and six touchdowns. He's run 46 times for 287 yards and six touchdowns.
"It's a similar offense," WVU defensive end Johnny Dingle said, "but Grothe does it his way and Pat does it his way."
The variations end, though, when the comparisons converge with one significant characteristic. Both White and Grothe are the most important players on offense -- and these are ranked teams known for their offensive prowess.
"He's the key, maybe not just to the offense, but to their entire team," WVU Coach Rich Rodriguez said. "You can tell he's their emotional leader. He's a tough guy, he runs, he throws, and he kind of does whatever it takes. He's a lot like Pat White."
Many Mountaineers were asked to compare the quarterbacks and a lot of meaningful words were used to make the evaluation. One seemed to pop up more than others.
Winners.
"Grothe is one," WVU cornerback Vaughn Rivers said, "but I think Pat may be more competitive than anyone else in the country."
White is 19-2 as a starter and was named Gator Bowl MVP last season. Grothe is 10-4 as a starter. Neither has a turnover this season, and while both avoid errors that contribute to losses, they make plays that help their teams win.
"It might be a guy ho doesn't have the strongest arm or isn't the fastest guy, but they have the will to win and they'll do anything to find a way somehow," Rivers said. "That can be dangerous, especially in tight games and tight situations from the perspective that he's a guy who wants to make plays no matter the cost."
