Post by rainman on Sept 30, 2007 7:46:47 GMT -5
Rod: No finger-pointing
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
TAMPA, Fla.— “We’re not going to point any fingers,” coach Rich Rodriguez said late Friday night after No. 18 South Florida (4-0, 1-0) knocked No. 5 West Virginia (4-1, 0-1) out of the undefeated ranks, 21-13.
“We’re just going to work hard and get back to start playing at a high level again.”
That most certainly was one of the poorest, rhythm-lacking offensive performance since he took up the reins in 2001. WVU came within less than six minutes of failing to score a touchdown for the first time since that year.
Miami mauled the 2001 team by 45-3 in the Orange Bowl on Oct. 25, 2001.
“We were trying to get into a rhythm on offense, but we couldn’t get any rhythm at all the whole game,” Rodriguez said of Friday night’s mistake-marred contest.
The major reason was that WVU couldn’t muster sustained drives, despite the fact it finished with a season’s high 86 plays to 58 and 437 yards in total offense to 274.
While the defense forced four turnovers, all in the first half, the offense would turn around and cough up the ball six times on fumbles or interceptions.
“I won’t know until I watch the film whether (the fumbling) was just fundamentals or good hits,” Rodriguez said. “But those really hurt.
“I thought the defense did a great job giving the offense a lot of possessions. But our execution offensively was about as bad as you could play.
“We’re very disappointed. I thought we had a good week of practice. You’ve got to give (South Florida) credit, though.
“Obviously, they did a good job. But most of it (WVU misplays) resulted from a lack of execution.”
Rodriguez emphasized that it is a long, 12-game season and that certainly the Big East conference race is not over yet. He remains confidence that his team will be able to bounce back.
“This (the league loss) puts us behind a little bit,” he readily admitted. “But we’ve got to get back to work on Sunday.”
He explained that All-America tailback Steve Slaton was cramping up a little and didn’t get a lot of reps. USF limited him to just 54 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Quarterback Patrick White suffered a helmet hit on his thigh, preventing him from playing in the second half because of a deep bruise.
“I didn’t see whether it was a late hit or not,” the veteran coach said. “I don’t know how long he might be out.”
WVU, now 4-1 and 0-1 in the Big East, goes on the road again Saturday for a conference game against Syracuse (1-3, 1-0).
“I thought Jarrett (Brown) competed well (replacing White),” Rodriguez said. “He made a few mistakes. He scrambled around and made some plays.
“I was proud of the way he competed. But he can play better.”
Rodriguez acknowledged that there were some bad snaps by WVU center Mike Dent. That contributed to the inability to get productive drivers going.
“You’ve got to give (the Bulls) credit, but it does hurt more when you have six turnovers,” he said. “You don’t execute some plays.
“It starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job. I really thought we were ready. But, for whatever reason, we just didn’t move the ball well enough.”
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
TAMPA, Fla.— “We’re not going to point any fingers,” coach Rich Rodriguez said late Friday night after No. 18 South Florida (4-0, 1-0) knocked No. 5 West Virginia (4-1, 0-1) out of the undefeated ranks, 21-13.
“We’re just going to work hard and get back to start playing at a high level again.”
That most certainly was one of the poorest, rhythm-lacking offensive performance since he took up the reins in 2001. WVU came within less than six minutes of failing to score a touchdown for the first time since that year.
Miami mauled the 2001 team by 45-3 in the Orange Bowl on Oct. 25, 2001.
“We were trying to get into a rhythm on offense, but we couldn’t get any rhythm at all the whole game,” Rodriguez said of Friday night’s mistake-marred contest.
The major reason was that WVU couldn’t muster sustained drives, despite the fact it finished with a season’s high 86 plays to 58 and 437 yards in total offense to 274.
While the defense forced four turnovers, all in the first half, the offense would turn around and cough up the ball six times on fumbles or interceptions.
“I won’t know until I watch the film whether (the fumbling) was just fundamentals or good hits,” Rodriguez said. “But those really hurt.
“I thought the defense did a great job giving the offense a lot of possessions. But our execution offensively was about as bad as you could play.
“We’re very disappointed. I thought we had a good week of practice. You’ve got to give (South Florida) credit, though.
“Obviously, they did a good job. But most of it (WVU misplays) resulted from a lack of execution.”
Rodriguez emphasized that it is a long, 12-game season and that certainly the Big East conference race is not over yet. He remains confidence that his team will be able to bounce back.
“This (the league loss) puts us behind a little bit,” he readily admitted. “But we’ve got to get back to work on Sunday.”
He explained that All-America tailback Steve Slaton was cramping up a little and didn’t get a lot of reps. USF limited him to just 54 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Quarterback Patrick White suffered a helmet hit on his thigh, preventing him from playing in the second half because of a deep bruise.
“I didn’t see whether it was a late hit or not,” the veteran coach said. “I don’t know how long he might be out.”
WVU, now 4-1 and 0-1 in the Big East, goes on the road again Saturday for a conference game against Syracuse (1-3, 1-0).
“I thought Jarrett (Brown) competed well (replacing White),” Rodriguez said. “He made a few mistakes. He scrambled around and made some plays.
“I was proud of the way he competed. But he can play better.”
Rodriguez acknowledged that there were some bad snaps by WVU center Mike Dent. That contributed to the inability to get productive drivers going.
“You’ve got to give (the Bulls) credit, but it does hurt more when you have six turnovers,” he said. “You don’t execute some plays.
“It starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job. I really thought we were ready. But, for whatever reason, we just didn’t move the ball well enough.”
