Post by rainman on Sept 16, 2007 9:02:30 GMT -5
Maryland win was sugar-sweet for Schmitt
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— No one could have been happier than West Virginia fullback/tight end/slot receiver Owen Schmitt after last Thursday night’s 31-14 football victory over Maryland.
“It felt real good,” he said before the Mountaineers left College Park, Md. “I have a lot of friends and family here, so I am glad they got to enjoy this game as well.”
Schmitt, a 6-3, 260-pound senior from Fairfax, Va., was invited to a game there during his senior year at Fairfax High. But the Terps’ coaching staff did not offer him a scholarship.
So he wound up wound up spending a year at Wisconsin-River Falls before transferring to WVU in 2004. He did not play that year, but had a hand in victories over UM the following three seasons.
Schmitt carried the ball just four times last week for 46 yards, including a 44-yard run to the Maryland 23 in the second quarter. But WVU failed to capitalize as Pat McAfee was wide left on a 33-yard field goal attempt.
Of his long run, he said: “It’s always fun to break one of those, especially (in College Park). A lot of buddies came up for the game and my mom did, too. It was nice for them to see it.
“I am happy where we are (as a team, 3-0),” he said. (But) we have a lot of work to do. It’s tough playing away. It was loud tonight and it was hard to hear the snap count at times.
“East Carolina will be a tough team (at home next Saturday). (The Pirates) always play us tough.”
Like other teammates, Schmitt is delighted with the strong start by highly rated freshman running back Noel Devine.
“I am sure it’s hard (for opponents) to see him behind the line, because he’s only 5-8,” he said.
“But he can move. It’s fun for me to watch him.”
For the Mountaineers’ three victories, Schmitt has rushed 11 times for 72 yards. He also has caught one pass for 16 yards.
All-America Steve Slaton has 392 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 carries, Devine 256 yards and three scores on just 17 totes, and quarterback Patrick White a net 244 yards rushing and four scores on 37 keeper plays.
White has completed 31 of 49 passes (63.3 percent) for 436 yards and four TDs.
Darius Reynard is the leading receiver with 18 catches, 281 yards and two scores.
Team-wise, WVU is averaging 47.0 points, 343.7 yards rushing and 500.3 yards in total offense per game. The defense is allowing 20.3 points, 80.7 rushing yards and 311 total yards per game.
The East Carolina contest is a 60,000-seat sellout. It will begin at noon, with either ESPN or ESPN2 televising the action.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— No one could have been happier than West Virginia fullback/tight end/slot receiver Owen Schmitt after last Thursday night’s 31-14 football victory over Maryland.
“It felt real good,” he said before the Mountaineers left College Park, Md. “I have a lot of friends and family here, so I am glad they got to enjoy this game as well.”
Schmitt, a 6-3, 260-pound senior from Fairfax, Va., was invited to a game there during his senior year at Fairfax High. But the Terps’ coaching staff did not offer him a scholarship.
So he wound up wound up spending a year at Wisconsin-River Falls before transferring to WVU in 2004. He did not play that year, but had a hand in victories over UM the following three seasons.
Schmitt carried the ball just four times last week for 46 yards, including a 44-yard run to the Maryland 23 in the second quarter. But WVU failed to capitalize as Pat McAfee was wide left on a 33-yard field goal attempt.
Of his long run, he said: “It’s always fun to break one of those, especially (in College Park). A lot of buddies came up for the game and my mom did, too. It was nice for them to see it.
“I am happy where we are (as a team, 3-0),” he said. (But) we have a lot of work to do. It’s tough playing away. It was loud tonight and it was hard to hear the snap count at times.
“East Carolina will be a tough team (at home next Saturday). (The Pirates) always play us tough.”
Like other teammates, Schmitt is delighted with the strong start by highly rated freshman running back Noel Devine.
“I am sure it’s hard (for opponents) to see him behind the line, because he’s only 5-8,” he said.
“But he can move. It’s fun for me to watch him.”
For the Mountaineers’ three victories, Schmitt has rushed 11 times for 72 yards. He also has caught one pass for 16 yards.
All-America Steve Slaton has 392 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 carries, Devine 256 yards and three scores on just 17 totes, and quarterback Patrick White a net 244 yards rushing and four scores on 37 keeper plays.
White has completed 31 of 49 passes (63.3 percent) for 436 yards and four TDs.
Darius Reynard is the leading receiver with 18 catches, 281 yards and two scores.
Team-wise, WVU is averaging 47.0 points, 343.7 yards rushing and 500.3 yards in total offense per game. The defense is allowing 20.3 points, 80.7 rushing yards and 311 total yards per game.
The East Carolina contest is a 60,000-seat sellout. It will begin at noon, with either ESPN or ESPN2 televising the action.
