Post by rainman on Sept 4, 2007 6:18:46 GMT -5
Should Rod play White, Slaton more to boost stats?
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— West Virginia University has never had a Heisman Trophy winner in its history.
So to have two legitimate candidates for college football’s most prestigious award on this year’s team not only is a “first” for the school, but also a rare treat enjoyed by very few NCAA Division I-A institutions.
With that in mind, a Pittsburgh columnist asked Coach Rich Rodriguez Monday whether it ever ran through his mind to play Steve Slaton and Patrick White longer in blowouts such as the 62-24 victory over Western Michigan?
“It never has and it never will,” he replied.
“Our philosophy is that we’re going to play our best players as long as needed to make sure the game is won. And after that, once we have the game secure, then we substitute. But we’ve always done that and always will do that.”
Rodriguez certainly showed such intent by pulling both of his superstars at the end of the third quarter with WVU leading Western Michigan by 49-21.
Slaton, a consensus All-America running back, had rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 61 yards and a fourth score.
White, the 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, passed for 192 yards and two TDs and added 97 yards rushing and scored twice more.
Together, they combined for 464 yards and eight touchdowns.
Rodriguez said, “I think the players feel the same way (as the coaches do). I don’t think we have anybody that’s concerned about numbers or stats. They’re more concerned about what we need to do to win games.”
o Like any head coach, Rodriguez is more interested in promoting his own program and keeping it on a high plain than he is about any other school’s program.
But he never fails to boost the Big East Conference whenever he has the opportunity.
Noting that seven of the league’s eight teams won season’s openers, Rodriguez said the Big East certainly got off to another good start.
“I think it showed throughout the country that we’re not a big league as far as numbers go, but that we are a very, very quality league.”
o A highly rated quarterback by the name of Star Jackson was among recruiting prospects on the sidelines for WVU’s victory over Western Michigan.
He’s a 6-3, 185-pound senior at Fort Worth High in the West Palm Beach, Fla., area.
Jackson has narrowed his choice of colleges to Alabama, Auburn and West Virginia. He is expected to announce a decision on Tuesday,
Recruiting gurus think he’s leaning toward Alabama.
Jackson guided Lake Worth to a 41-6 victory over J.I. Leonard High last Friday night, then caught an early Saturday flight to his West Virginia visit.
He passed for more than 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. He also rushed for some 750 yards.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— West Virginia University has never had a Heisman Trophy winner in its history.
So to have two legitimate candidates for college football’s most prestigious award on this year’s team not only is a “first” for the school, but also a rare treat enjoyed by very few NCAA Division I-A institutions.
With that in mind, a Pittsburgh columnist asked Coach Rich Rodriguez Monday whether it ever ran through his mind to play Steve Slaton and Patrick White longer in blowouts such as the 62-24 victory over Western Michigan?
“It never has and it never will,” he replied.
“Our philosophy is that we’re going to play our best players as long as needed to make sure the game is won. And after that, once we have the game secure, then we substitute. But we’ve always done that and always will do that.”
Rodriguez certainly showed such intent by pulling both of his superstars at the end of the third quarter with WVU leading Western Michigan by 49-21.
Slaton, a consensus All-America running back, had rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 61 yards and a fourth score.
White, the 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, passed for 192 yards and two TDs and added 97 yards rushing and scored twice more.
Together, they combined for 464 yards and eight touchdowns.
Rodriguez said, “I think the players feel the same way (as the coaches do). I don’t think we have anybody that’s concerned about numbers or stats. They’re more concerned about what we need to do to win games.”
o Like any head coach, Rodriguez is more interested in promoting his own program and keeping it on a high plain than he is about any other school’s program.
But he never fails to boost the Big East Conference whenever he has the opportunity.
Noting that seven of the league’s eight teams won season’s openers, Rodriguez said the Big East certainly got off to another good start.
“I think it showed throughout the country that we’re not a big league as far as numbers go, but that we are a very, very quality league.”
o A highly rated quarterback by the name of Star Jackson was among recruiting prospects on the sidelines for WVU’s victory over Western Michigan.
He’s a 6-3, 185-pound senior at Fort Worth High in the West Palm Beach, Fla., area.
Jackson has narrowed his choice of colleges to Alabama, Auburn and West Virginia. He is expected to announce a decision on Tuesday,
Recruiting gurus think he’s leaning toward Alabama.
Jackson guided Lake Worth to a 41-6 victory over J.I. Leonard High last Friday night, then caught an early Saturday flight to his West Virginia visit.
He passed for more than 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. He also rushed for some 750 yards.
