Post by rainman on Oct 7, 2007 6:49:50 GMT -5
Slaton held under 100 yards and without a TD again
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
SYRACUSE, N.Y.— Steve Slaton was held somewhat short of 100 yards rushing Saturday for the second time in as many games.
During that span, West Virginia’s All-America running back also has failed to score a career record-breaking 43rd rushing touchdown.
But Slaton said following the 13th-ranked Mountaineers’ 55-14 victory over Syracuse, that doesn’t frustrate him in the least.
“It’s only frustrating when we lose,” he said. “Teams can key on me, but we have other options (such as fullback Owen Schmitt who scored twice) because this team has a lot of weapons.
“When we play like this, we’re pretty good.”
Slaton netted 69 yards on 15 carries against Syracuse. He had 54 yards on just 13 totes in the 21-13 upset loss at South Florida eight days earlier.
WVU quarterback Patrick White was knocked out of the Syracuse game in the third quarter. He said he dropped to the turf after a 27-yard run because he was in pain.
That gave reliever Jarrett Brown a few minutes to get ready. Adam Bednarik later took a short turn at the controls.
White agreed with coach Rich Rodriguez that he played pretty well.
“I was glad we even got the fourth quarterback (Markell Harrison) in for a little bit,” he said.
White’s injury was reported to be a strained chest muscle.
“We’ve got an open week and he should be fine,” Rodriguez said.
Jeff Casteel, WVU’s defensive coordinator, thought his players performed very well against the Orange.
“We have put four good games back to back, and now we have a chance to catch our breath,” he said of the stopper unit.
“(Defensive end) Johnny Dingle has made a lot of plays, and so has Keilein Dykes, who doesn’t really get noticed.
“Dykes’ interception for a touchdown was huge, and so was Ryan Mundy’s interception which enabled us to jump on Syracuse early.
“Our guys played hard, but so did Syracuse.”
Dingle, who forced two fumbles, said everyone was determined that WVU would bounce back in a big way.
“I like the way we’re playing overall,” he added. “We got the job done. We’re just moving around and flying around.
“I’ve been here four years. I know what to do and what it takes to win.”
Dykes said, “It’s great that we got the job done. I think we’ve gotten better (defensively) every week.”
On his interception and 19-yard return for a touchdown, he commented: “I was tired after that runback. It was our first (pick for TD) in two years.”
Fullback Owen Schmitt, who scored two touchdowns, said, “It felt great to bounce back like we did today and get a solid victory.
“Now we have some time off (before getting ready to play Mississippi State at home Oct. 20).”
Pat McAfee, who kicked two field goals and six extra points, recalled that he made his Mountaineer debut in this same Carrier Dome in a 15-7 win two years ago.
“I enjoy kicking in here,” he said. “No wind.”
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
SYRACUSE, N.Y.— Steve Slaton was held somewhat short of 100 yards rushing Saturday for the second time in as many games.
During that span, West Virginia’s All-America running back also has failed to score a career record-breaking 43rd rushing touchdown.
But Slaton said following the 13th-ranked Mountaineers’ 55-14 victory over Syracuse, that doesn’t frustrate him in the least.
“It’s only frustrating when we lose,” he said. “Teams can key on me, but we have other options (such as fullback Owen Schmitt who scored twice) because this team has a lot of weapons.
“When we play like this, we’re pretty good.”
Slaton netted 69 yards on 15 carries against Syracuse. He had 54 yards on just 13 totes in the 21-13 upset loss at South Florida eight days earlier.
WVU quarterback Patrick White was knocked out of the Syracuse game in the third quarter. He said he dropped to the turf after a 27-yard run because he was in pain.
That gave reliever Jarrett Brown a few minutes to get ready. Adam Bednarik later took a short turn at the controls.
White agreed with coach Rich Rodriguez that he played pretty well.
“I was glad we even got the fourth quarterback (Markell Harrison) in for a little bit,” he said.
White’s injury was reported to be a strained chest muscle.
“We’ve got an open week and he should be fine,” Rodriguez said.
Jeff Casteel, WVU’s defensive coordinator, thought his players performed very well against the Orange.
“We have put four good games back to back, and now we have a chance to catch our breath,” he said of the stopper unit.
“(Defensive end) Johnny Dingle has made a lot of plays, and so has Keilein Dykes, who doesn’t really get noticed.
“Dykes’ interception for a touchdown was huge, and so was Ryan Mundy’s interception which enabled us to jump on Syracuse early.
“Our guys played hard, but so did Syracuse.”
Dingle, who forced two fumbles, said everyone was determined that WVU would bounce back in a big way.
“I like the way we’re playing overall,” he added. “We got the job done. We’re just moving around and flying around.
“I’ve been here four years. I know what to do and what it takes to win.”
Dykes said, “It’s great that we got the job done. I think we’ve gotten better (defensively) every week.”
On his interception and 19-yard return for a touchdown, he commented: “I was tired after that runback. It was our first (pick for TD) in two years.”
Fullback Owen Schmitt, who scored two touchdowns, said, “It felt great to bounce back like we did today and get a solid victory.
“Now we have some time off (before getting ready to play Mississippi State at home Oct. 20).”
Pat McAfee, who kicked two field goals and six extra points, recalled that he made his Mountaineer debut in this same Carrier Dome in a 15-7 win two years ago.
“I enjoy kicking in here,” he said. “No wind.”
