Post by cviller on Sept 24, 2007 10:54:09 GMT -5
Shawn Falkenstein
Morgantown, W.Va.
Friday's game against South Florida will be the biggest test for an otherwise untested West Virginia offense. The Mountaineers are used to having their way with teams rolling up an average of 357 yards rushing per game, but this game could be a little different because the Bulls defense ranks in the top ten nationally in four defensive categories and is 13th in scoring defense and 13th in rushing defense, giving up just 79 yards per game on the ground.
South Florida's defense is led by defensive end George Selvie who was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his three sacks and five tackles for a loss against North Carolina. Selvie has 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in just three games this season.
This is the second time this season a South Florida defender won national honors. Free safety Nate Allen was named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Nagurski Award and FWAA for his performance against Auburn. He collected an interception, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in that game.
The Bulls also sport two cornerbacks with NFL potential. Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins are both seniors and each have an interception. Williams has six pass breakups wit Jenkins' five.
The Bulls are fifth in the nation in turnover margin, forcing 11 turnovers this season while only giving the ball away five times. Last year the Bulls forced four turnovers by the Mountaineers.
On offense, the Bulls aren't as high among the national rankings , but are very talented. West Virginia's will see the first really good pass-run quarterback in Matt Grothe who is throwing for 217 yards and rushing for 29 yards per game. Grothe has completed 60 percent of his passes, but has yet to throw an interception. Last year the 2006 Big East Rookie of the Year threw for 279 yards against the Mountaineers. He threw two interceptions early on in the game last year, but rebounded to complete 22 of 30 passes including a touchdown to beat the #7 ranked Mountaineers.
Just a sophomore this year Grothe is the undisputed leader of the team, displaying outstanding leadership and is unflappable. While West Virginia's defense has improved its pass rush over the past two games they will find it hard to disrupt Grothe.
On the ground South Florida employs a two back system. Mike Ford and Benjamin Williams each have 30 carries with Ford totalling 170 yards over three games to Williams' 117. Ford is averaging more than five yards per carry with four touchdowns.
South Florida has three speedsters at receiver. Taurus Johnson leads the team with 13 receptions for 150 yards. Amari Jackson leads the team with two touchdown grabs. He and Jessie Hester each have ten catches. In all 14 players have caught passes for the Bulls this season.
South Florida's defensive rankings:
**13th in scoring defense, giving up just 15.3 points per game
**13th in rush defense 79 yards per game
**3rd in pass efficiency defense--
**7th in total defense
**5th in turnover margin 2 to 1
**6th in sacks with four per game