Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 31, 2007 13:31:32 GMT -5
By JOHN RABY, AP Sports Writer
August 31, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia's high-powered and fast-paced offense is looking for ways to become even more potent.
"You didn't hear it, about the wishbone?" Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez joked. "How many people sent me letters about going to the wishbone, so I said ... I'm going to do it."
Actually, it's not that extreme, but Rodriguez plans to occasionally move around some of his best athletes to maximize the number of times they touch the ball while keeping defenses guessing.
When No. 3 West Virginia meets Western Michigan on Saturday, All-American running back Steve Slaton might line up at wide receiver at times, along with third-string quarterback Adam Bednarik. Fullback Owen Schmitt has practiced at tight end.
What's next, run-happy quarterback Pat White throwing more than 15 times a game?
Maybe.
"Let's not get away from what we do well, what our quarterbacks do well, what our backs and receivers do well. We want to try to put our guys in position to make plays," Rodriguez said. "There won't be a whole lot changed in it, but there's a few things we're going to try experimenting with."
Change isn't necessary with a backfield that averaged 303 yards rushing, second best in the nation a year ago. But strictly running against Western Michigan might not work. The Broncos return eight starters on a defense that allowed only 76 yards per game on the ground.
"These guys strain as well as anybody in America, strain to get off blocks, strain to make tackles. They're very active," Rodriguez said. "I'm sure they're confident defensively that they'll have a good plan and be able to execute it."
Rodriguez doesn't need to be reminded about his team's struggles at home against defenses geared toward stopping the run.
South Florida ended West Virginia's BCS hopes last season, holding Slaton to his worst game as a starter and the Mountaineers to 132 yards rushing in the Bulls' 24-19 win. Two years ago the Mountaineers failed to score in the second half against East Carolina and limped to a 20-15 win.
If Western Michigan is successful stopping the run, West Virginia doesn't have the proven weapons at wide receiver. Starters Darius Reynaud and Dorrell Jalloh had only two touchdowns combined a year ago.
"I think our receivers are starting to develop," Rodriguez said. "The key is can we execute it and can we spread the wealth when they defend everyone in the box against Steve and against Patrick."
West Virginia doesn't have a history of pummeling Mid-American Conference opponents under Rodriguez. The Mountaineers allowed Central Florida (2003) and Ohio (2001) to stay close for three quarters and overcame lots of penalties and fumbles to outlast Kent State in 2001.
West Virginia's pass defense, one of the nation's worst a year ago, should get a test from sophomore quarterback Tim Hiller, the 2005 MAC freshman of the year. The 6-foot-5 Hiller threw 20 TD passes with just three interceptions before tearing knee ligaments in the 2005 season finale that forced him to sit out the following season.
The MAC has a long history of nonconference upsets, including Western Michigan's win at Virginia last year. But that tradition isn't something coach Bill Cubit instills in his players.
"We really don't talk to them that much about it. If we get too ahead of ourselves, we've got some issues. We're not good enough to do that," he said. "All I'm trying to do is really tell the kids, whatever you've got to do, you've got to make sure you do it correctly on that day, that hour.
"I think we'll play up to our potential. If West Virginia plays up to its potential, it will be a big issue for us."
August 31, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia's high-powered and fast-paced offense is looking for ways to become even more potent.
"You didn't hear it, about the wishbone?" Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez joked. "How many people sent me letters about going to the wishbone, so I said ... I'm going to do it."
Actually, it's not that extreme, but Rodriguez plans to occasionally move around some of his best athletes to maximize the number of times they touch the ball while keeping defenses guessing.
When No. 3 West Virginia meets Western Michigan on Saturday, All-American running back Steve Slaton might line up at wide receiver at times, along with third-string quarterback Adam Bednarik. Fullback Owen Schmitt has practiced at tight end.
What's next, run-happy quarterback Pat White throwing more than 15 times a game?
Maybe.
"Let's not get away from what we do well, what our quarterbacks do well, what our backs and receivers do well. We want to try to put our guys in position to make plays," Rodriguez said. "There won't be a whole lot changed in it, but there's a few things we're going to try experimenting with."
Change isn't necessary with a backfield that averaged 303 yards rushing, second best in the nation a year ago. But strictly running against Western Michigan might not work. The Broncos return eight starters on a defense that allowed only 76 yards per game on the ground.
"These guys strain as well as anybody in America, strain to get off blocks, strain to make tackles. They're very active," Rodriguez said. "I'm sure they're confident defensively that they'll have a good plan and be able to execute it."
Rodriguez doesn't need to be reminded about his team's struggles at home against defenses geared toward stopping the run.
South Florida ended West Virginia's BCS hopes last season, holding Slaton to his worst game as a starter and the Mountaineers to 132 yards rushing in the Bulls' 24-19 win. Two years ago the Mountaineers failed to score in the second half against East Carolina and limped to a 20-15 win.
If Western Michigan is successful stopping the run, West Virginia doesn't have the proven weapons at wide receiver. Starters Darius Reynaud and Dorrell Jalloh had only two touchdowns combined a year ago.
"I think our receivers are starting to develop," Rodriguez said. "The key is can we execute it and can we spread the wealth when they defend everyone in the box against Steve and against Patrick."
West Virginia doesn't have a history of pummeling Mid-American Conference opponents under Rodriguez. The Mountaineers allowed Central Florida (2003) and Ohio (2001) to stay close for three quarters and overcame lots of penalties and fumbles to outlast Kent State in 2001.
West Virginia's pass defense, one of the nation's worst a year ago, should get a test from sophomore quarterback Tim Hiller, the 2005 MAC freshman of the year. The 6-foot-5 Hiller threw 20 TD passes with just three interceptions before tearing knee ligaments in the 2005 season finale that forced him to sit out the following season.
The MAC has a long history of nonconference upsets, including Western Michigan's win at Virginia last year. But that tradition isn't something coach Bill Cubit instills in his players.
"We really don't talk to them that much about it. If we get too ahead of ourselves, we've got some issues. We're not good enough to do that," he said. "All I'm trying to do is really tell the kids, whatever you've got to do, you've got to make sure you do it correctly on that day, that hour.
"I think we'll play up to our potential. If West Virginia plays up to its potential, it will be a big issue for us."
