The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 1: Western Michigan
June 27, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007062627

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of previews on Marshall and West Virginia football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Sept. 1, time TBA
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Bill Cubit (3rd year, 15-9; 8th year overall, 52-27-1)

Checking them out

Remember all the jokes people used to make about Don Nehlen always scheduling a Mid-American Conference team to open the season? And every year Nehlen would pull out his speech about how the opponent had a beautiful campus and 85 scholarships, just like West Virginia.

Then Nehlen would beat them 44-3.

Well, here’s another MAC team, although this one was scheduled just a few months ago. Western Michigan was handed to WVU by the MAC as a replacement for the original MAC team scheduled in the spot, Ball State.

As it turns out, Western Michigan is an upgrade. Ball State can be a MAC contender this year, but WMU is one of the league’s favorites. And with good reason. Eight defensive starters return and there’s plenty of offensive playmakers around from a team that finished 8-5 and lost to Cincinnati in the inaugural International Bowl. This is also the team that nearly won at Florida State late last year, losing 28-20 when a touchdown pass was called back for holding in the final seconds.

The Broncos lost their quarterback, Ryan Cubit, to graduation, but there are plenty of potential replacements. Senior Thomas Peregrin was a junior college transfer who backed up Cubit and was 2-0 as a starter last season. And 6-foot-5, 228-pound sophomore Tim Hiller started five games and was the MAC freshman of the year after throwing for 20 touchdowns and three interceptions as a true freshman in 2005. He missed last season with a knee injury. Redshirt freshman Drew Burdi can’t be dismissed, either. All three saw time with the No. 1 offense in the spring.

If you include Hiller, there are nine starters back on offense, including leading receivers Jamarko Simmons and Brandon Ledbetter and leading rushers Mark Bonds and Brandon West. The offensive line is expected to be among the best in the MAC.

Defensively the Broncos were first in the league last year and the only big losses were two outside linebackers. The secondary was talented enough to pick off 24 passes and everyone returns.

All-conference candidates

Offense: C Robbie Krutilla, WR Jamarko Simmons, TE Brandon Ledbetter, RB Mark Bonds, QB Tim Hiller
Defense: CB Londen Fryar, DT Nick Varcadipane, DE Zach Davidson, S C.J. Wilson
Special teams: KR Brandon West

Notes

If Western Michigan’s 2006 quarterback, Ryan Cubit, sounds familiar he was the starting QB at Rutgers in 2001 and 2002 and his dad was the offensive coordinator there. Bill Cubit left Rutgers for Stanford, then was reunited with Ryan when he got the job at WMU. ... The Broncos have just as much depth at running back as they do at QB. Bonds was a 1,000-yard rusher last season and didn’t play in the International Bowl because he was suspended. West (633 yards) isn’t far behind him. And Glenis Thompson is probably just as talented as the others, but fumble prone. ... Florida State wasn’t the only ACC school WMU gave fits last season. The Broncos beat Virginia at the Cavaliers’ homecoming game.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 at West Virginia DNP
Sept. 8 Indiana L 20-39
Sept. 15 at Missouri DNP
Sept. 22 Central Conn. State DNP
Sept. 29 at Toledo* W 31-10
Oct. 6 Akron* W 17-0
Oct. 13 at Northern Illionois* W 16-14
Oct. 20 Ball State* W 41-27
Oct. 27 at Eastern Michigan* W 18-15
Nov. 6 Central Michigan* (Fri.) L 7-31
Nov. 17 at Iowa DNP
Nov. 24 Temple* W 41-7

* Mid-American Conference games

2006 record: 8-5 overall, 6-2 MAC (lost to Cincinnati 24-27, in the International Bowl)
Dropped: Virginia (W 17-10), Ohio University (L 20-27), Miami, Ohio (W 27-24), Florida State (L 20-28)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 2: Marshall
June 29, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007062851

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of previews on Marshall and West Virginia football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Sept. 8, 11:10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Site: Joan C. Edwards Stadium (38,019, FieldTurf), Huntington
Coach: Mark Snyder (3rd year, 9-14)

Checking them out

Thundering Herd fans 30 and younger have ventured into unfamiliar territory — their team has suffered through two losing seasons and three non-winning campaigns in a row. It’s not the ’70-style futility older fans remember, but it’s unwelcome for green-clads young and old.

As Snyder enters his third year, there are many beacons of hope. But there are plenty of question marks as the Herd faces another rugged first-half schedule — and they start right behind dependable center Doug Legursky.

Bernard Morris (1,346 yds, 8 TDs, 12 int) is the incumbent at QB, but he has been plagued the past two seasons by (a) an erratic arm and (b) “turf toe” and other injuries which have robbed him of running prowess at inopportune times. He developed a “bombs away” rapport with new WR Darius Passmore in the spring, but he still must fight off Brian Anderson and maybe newcomer Chris Smith to keep his job.

Ahmad Bradshaw’s early departure for the NFL threw the running game into limbo. Chubb Small is back and Kelvin Turner is eager to press him, but they could be challenged by Darius Marshall, Terrell Edwards or JoJo Cox (though Cox appears to be a nonqualifier).

The line has a solid anchor in Legursky and guard Brian Leggett. David Ziegler is a veteran at the other guard if his shoulder heals, but bigger questions must be answered at tackle — fifth-year senior John Inman takes his first snaps on the left side, while 6-9 Daniel Baldridge or Morgantown native Joe Bragg will be first-time players on the right.

The receivers could make Morris (or whoever) a much better passer — and Passmore may not be the only deep threat. Courtney Edmonson played as a true freshman, and ’06 nonqualifier Travius Thompson may press for a starting spot as well. And, oh yeah, sophomore Cody Slate (43-684, 6 TDs) could be an All-American tight end before he leaves town.

New coordinator Steve Dunlap will try to make the rest of MU’s defense somewhat worthy of DE Albert McClellan. The junior’s 111/2 sacks and 19 tackles for loss earned him defensive player of the year honors from the Conference USA media. If John Jacobs continues to rise at the other end and Michael Janac fulfills his promise, the front four could be stout.

So could the linebacking corps — if SLB Ian Hoskins recovers from his knee injury and WLB Maurice Kitchens continues to progress. In the middle, Josh Johnson showed hints of dominance, but must show more.

Behind them is a young secondary which was ranked 93rd in pass defense efficiency. CB Ashton Hall and S C.J. Spillman will need to blossom, among others.

And, in the kicking game, so will K Anthony Binswanger. He went 5-for-13 on field goals, never a good sign in a conference loaded with quality kickers. The punting game is an even bigger concern after 2005 starter Marty Biagi blew out his knee in a spring scrimmage.

All-conference candidates

Offense: C Doug Legursky, TE Cody Slate, any of a number of wide receivers
Defense: DE Albert McClellan, LB Josh Johnson
Special teams: PR Emmanuel Spann

Notes

Thanks in large part to the first home game against WVU in 92 years, season-ticket sales have surged past the 17,000 mark, well beyond the old record. Those sales will be capped at 23,000, if need be.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 at Miami DNP
Sept. 8 West Virginia L 10-42
Sept. 15 New Hampshire DNP
Sept. 22 at Cincinnati DNP
Oct. 2 at Memphis (Tue.)* W 41-27
Oct. 13 at Tulsa* DNP
Oct. 21 Southern Miss (Sun.)* L 7-42
Oct. 27 Rice* DNP
Nov. 3 at Central Florida* L 22-23
Nov. 10 East Carolina* L 20-33
Nov. 17 at Houston DNP
Nov. 24 UAB* W 31-24

* Conference USA games

2006 record: 5-7 overall, 4-4 C-USA
Dropped: Hofstra (W 54-31), Kansas State (L 7-23), Tennessee (L 7-33), SMU (L 21-31), Tulane (W 42-21), UTEP (W 49-21)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 3: Maryland
July 06, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2007070119

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of previews on Marshall and West Virginia football opponents.

Date with WVU: Thursday, Sept. 13, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Site: Byrd Stadium (51,500, grass), College Park, Md.
Coach: Ralph Friedgen (7th year, 50-24)

Checking them out

There are reasons for the Terrapins to be optimistic on both offense and defense this year, but there are also just enough reasons to wonder if all the pieces are really there.

Take the offense, for example. Leading rushers Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore both return, along with a terrific blocking fullback in Morgantown’s Cory Jackson. All three are huge, too, with the tailbacks both at 223 pounds and Jackson at over 250. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is a budding star and has plenty of speed to go along with his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame and tight end Joey Haynos is a monster at 6-8 and 260. In all, Maryland returns 94 percent of its rushing yards and 97 percent of its receiving. The line, as always, is huge, anchored by 301-pound All-ACC guard Andrew Crummey.

Here’s the question mark, though: No quarterback on the roster has ever completed a pass. Sam Hollenbach had his detractors, but he was generally consistent, if not spectacular. The likely successor to Hollenbach is 6-1, 209-pound junior Jordan Steffy, but watch out for 6-4, 210-pound Josh Portis, who transferred from Florida after playing in six games there as a true freshman in 2005.

On defense, the linebacking corps needs to be rebuilt, but the Terps’ best player provides a foundation — junior Erin Henderson, the brother of former Butkus Award winner E.J. Henderson. End Jeremy Navarre and tackle Dre Moore anchor the line. There are no real stars in the secondary, but plenty of talent and experience.

The special teams, though, need some work. Kicker Dan Enis and punter Adam Podlesh were rocks and must be replaced, and kick returner Josh Wilson is gone.

All-conference candidates

Offense: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, TE Joey Haynos, G Andrew Crummey
Defense: LB Erin Henderson, DT Dre Moore, DE Jeremy Navarre

Notes

Maryland has already taken a couple of hits along the offensive line, beginning when the starter at left guard, Donnie Woods, decided to give up football for the Army. Then last week 6-9, 350-pound junior tackle Jared Gaither was declared academically ineligible and applied for entry into the NFL supplemental draft. Gaither was held out of the starting lineup for the team’s bowl game last December and then missed spring ball because of academics. The line was probably the one place the Terps didn’t have much depth. ...

Woods wasn’t the only Maryland starter to give up the game prematurely. Linebacker Wesley Jefferson graduated in January and decided to become a state trooper. ...

Maryland ranked No. 90 in the nation in turnover margin last season, a statistic that wasn’t helped at all by five turnovers in an ugly 45-24 loss at WVU. ... And yes, Maryland has a former WVU quarterback on its roster again. Bobby Sheahin was a walk-on here in 2004.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 Villanova DNP
Sept. 8 at Florida Int’l W 14-10
Sept. 13 WVU (Thur.) L 24-45
Sept. 22 at Wake Forest* L 24-38
Sept. 29 at Rutgers DNP
Oct. 6 Georgia Tech* L 23-27
Oct. 20 Virginia* W 28-26
Oct. 27 Clemson* W 13-12
Nov. 3 at North Carolina* DNP
Nov. 10 Boston College* L 16-38
Nov. 17 at Florida State* W 27-24
Nov. 24 at N.C. State* W 26-20

* Atlantic Coast Conference games

2006 record: 9-4 overall, 5-3 ACC (beat Purdue 24-7 in the Champs Sports Bowl)
Dropped: William & Mary (W 27-14), Middle Tennessee (W 24-10), Miami (W 14-13)

I'm rearranging the order, so you can read 'em in the order they're supposed to be in. It's still a project in the works though, as you can see, game #4 should go here...

West Virginia game 4: East Carolina

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 5: South Florida
July 06, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007070550

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the eighth in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Friday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
Site: Raymond James Stadium (65,657, grass), Tampa, Fla.
Coach: Jim Leavitt (11th year, 70-43)

Checking them out

Quarterback Matt Grothe turned out to be one of the best freshmen in the country last season and South Florida’s defense was good enough to hold West Virginia to 19 points and 132 yards rushing. So what’s stopping the Bulls from joining Rutgers and challengers to WVU and Louisville for Big East supremacy?

Well, nothing actually. In any conversation around the country about programs on the cusp of doing big things, South Florida is always mentioned. With all of that high school talent to choose from in their own back yard, the Bulls have all the pieces and just need to keep putting them together.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, though. That defense that was so outstanding last season (second overall in the league) has some huge holes to fill in what was one of the best linebacking corps in the country. Stephen Nicholas and Pat St. Louis are gone, but Ben Moffitt returns in the middle, where he was eighth in the Big East in tackles. The cornerbacks, Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins, are two of the best in the Big East. And George Selvie is the best of a four-man line that isn’t big but is very athletic.

On offense, Grothe is the difference maker. The 6-foot sophomore was the Big East freshman of the year in 2006 and led all freshmen in total yards in the regular season. He wasn’t even the starter when the season began, but took over when Pat Julmiste was injured in the first half of the first game and never gave up the job.

The rest of the offense doesn’t have many stars, but it doesn’t matter because Grothe will help them make plays. The offensive line is big and strong and tailback Benjamin Williams was the No. 2 rusher (behind Grothe). Standout receiver and return star Ean Randolph is gone, but Amarri Jackson and Taurus Johnson lead a balanced receiving corps.

All-conference candidates

Offense: QB Matt Grothe, OL Mark Dile
Defense: CB Mike Jenkins, CB Trae Williams, LB Ben Moffitt

Notes

Raymond James Stadium was rated the best playing surface in the NFL in a poll of league players. The stadium will play host to the Super Bowl in February of 2009. ... Grothe became the first USF player ever named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top player. ... The Sporting News ranks USF No. 21 in its preseason ratings. ... The Bulls and Miami have finalized a six-year home-and-home contract that began with USF’s game in Miami in 2005. The teams will play in Tampa in 2009 and then will alternate sites the following four years on Thanksgiving weekend.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006

Sept. 1 Elon DNP
Sept. 8 at Auburn DNP
Sept. 22 North Carolina W 37-20
Sept. 28 West Virginia* W 24-19
Oct. 6 at Florida Atlantic DNP
Oct. 13 Central Florida W 24-17
Oct. 18 at Rutgers* L 20-22
Oct. 27 at Connecticut* W 38-16
Nov. 3 Cincinnati* L 6-23
Nov. 10 at Syracuse* W 27-10
Nov. 17 Louisville* L 8-31
Nov. 24 at Pitt* W 22-12

* Big East games

2006 record: 9-4 overall, 4-3 Big East (Beat East Carolina 24-7 in Papajohns.com Bowl)
Dropped: McNeese State (W 41-10), Florida International (W 21-20), Kansas (L 7-13)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 6: Syracuse
July 09, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007070817

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 11th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Oct. 6, time TBA
Site: Carrier Dome (49,262, FieldTurf), Syracuse, N.Y.
Coach: Greg Robinson (3rd year, 5-18)

Checking them out

Give third-year coach Greg Robinson credit for one thing: He is trying to build from the bottom up with his own recruits to fit a West Coast offense and an attacking defensive style. But after winning just five games in his first two seasons (four of them last year) the Orange faithful may not be willing to give him much more time if there isn’t significant progress this year.

And that might be asking too much. Syracuse lost seven starters on defense, although considering that this is the team that gave up a staggering 457 yards rushing to West Virginia (including 247 by QB Patrick White), is that such a bad thing? And on offense there’s a new quarterback to break in and running back Delone Carter is out for the year with a hip injury. But considering this offense was by a landslide the worst in the Big East last year (17.4 points and 264 total yards) aren’t changes good there, too?

The new quarterback is 6-foot-3, 222-pound sophomore Andrew Robinson, who is the first starter coach Robinson has had who is actually adept at running the West Coast offense. If he can handle the job, receivers Taj Carter and Mike Williams will make him look even better. Running back Curtis Brinkley was supposed to split time with Carter, but now he’ll probably have to be more of a workhorse, that is if he’s recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery. The offensive line is a work in progress and it needs a lot of work after allowing 45 sacks last season.

On defense, Syracuse only did one thing well last season — get to the quarterback. The line will again be good at that, led by Jameel McClain and Tony Jenkins, but losing three starting linebackers isn’t going to help a rushing defense that was last in the league. In the secondary both safeties return, including former QB Joe Fields, but replacing two cornerbacks is a huge task.

All-conference candidates

Offense: WR Taj Smith, WR Mike Williams
Defense: DL Jameel McClain
Special teams: K Patrick Shadle

Notes

You have to love one of Syracuse’s backup receivers, just from the standpoint of his name: Rice Moss. ... Morgantown’s Patrick Shadle is as solid as a rock at kicker, hitting 16-of-18 field goals as a sophomore. He’ll be hard-pressed to make the All-Big East team, though, because of Groza Award winner Art Carmody, who is still at Louisville. ... SU’s backup QB going into the fall is Cameron Dantley, the son of former NBA star Adrian Dantley. Cameron walked on in 2005, earned a scholarship and, besides starter Robinson, was the only other QB on the spring roster.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Aug. 31 Washington (Fri.) DNP
Sept. 8 at Iowa L 13-20 (2ot)
Sept. 15 Illinois W 31-21
Sept. 22 at Louisville* L 13-28
Sept. 29 at Miami (Ohio) W 34-14
Oct. 6 West Virginia* L 17-41
Oct. 13 Rutgers* L 7-38
Oct. 20 Buffalo DNP
Nov. 3 at Pitt* L 11-21
Nov. 10 South Florida* L 10-27
Nov. 17 at Connecticut* W 20-14
Nov. 24 Cincinnati* L 3-17

* Big East Conference games

2006 record: 4-8 overall, 1-6 Big East
Dropped: Wake Forest (L 10-20), Wyoming (W 40-34, 2ot)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 7: Mississippi State

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007071040

July 11, 2007

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 13th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Oct. 20, noon
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Sylvester Croom (4th year, 9-25)

Checking them out

This was a different team over the last half of the 2006 season that it was in the first half. In the first six games the Bulldogs were beaten by Tulane, needed overtime to get by Alabama-Birmingham and were trounced 34-0 by Auburn, 48-17 by LSU and 42-14 by West Virginia. In the last six games MSU won just twice, but beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and lost to Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Kentucky by a total of just 19 points.

If Sylvester Croom is going to keep that surge going he’ll have to do it without some key components, most significantly all-everything linebacker Quinton Culberson and five other defensive starters. But the offense has a few nice parts and so maybe the Bulldogs will be able to outscore some people.

That offense is in place with a veteran line, a deep group of receivers and a talented backfield. Running back Anthony Dixon and freshman recruit Robert Elliott will form a nice one-two running punch, but quarterback Michael Henig has to stay healthy. Henig was one of three starters at the position last season, but he broke his collarbone twice and played in just seven games, completing only 43 percent of his passes. If he stays healthy it will be a great comfort to the Bulldogs.

The defense is going to struggle, though, without Culberson and five other starters. But in end Titus Brown and free safety Derek Pegues (moved from corner, where he returned two picks for scores last year) the Bulldogs have two NFL-caliber talents who provide a pass rush and a center fielder, and that’s a good place to start.

Pegues is also one of the best punt and kick returners around, but that’s about it as far as special teams.

All-conference candidates

Offense: RB Anthony Dixon, TE Eric Butler, C Royce Blackledge
Defense: S Derek Pegues, DE Titus Brown
Special teams: KR Derek Pegues - advertisement -

Notes

How’s this for a lousy way to start the season: The Bulldogs open at home against LSU and two weeks later go to Auburn. With Tennessee, Arkansas and West Virginia, that’s nearly half the schedule made up of potential top-10 teams. ... If nothing else, Mississippi State has been fairly consistent of late, winning three games every year but one since 2000. The other year the Bulldogs won two.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Aug. 30 LSU* (Thur.) L 17-48
Sept. 8 at Tulane L 29-32
Sept. 15 at Auburn* L 0-34
Sept. 22 Gardner Webb DNP
Sept. 29 at South Carolina* L 0-15
Oct. 6 Alabama-Birmingham W 16-10 (ot)
Oct. 13 Tennessee* DNP
Oct. 20 at West Virginia L 14-42
Oct. 27 at Kentucky* L 31-34
Nov. 10 Alabama* W 24-16
Nov. 17 at Arkansas* L 14-28
Nov. 23 Mississippi* (Fri.) L 17-20

* Southeastern Conference games

2006 record: 3-9 overall, 1-7 SEC
Dropped: Jacksonville State (W 35-3), Georgia (L 24-27)

NOTE: In this Gazette article somebody missed the fact that the Rutgers game is game #8. The original headline lists it as game #7. I fixed that here...

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 8: Rutgers
July 13, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007071253

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 15th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Oct. 27, time TBA
Site: Rutgers Stadium (42,000, FieldTurf), Piscataway, N.J.
Coach: Greg Schiano (7th year, 30-41)

Checking them out

OK, so was this the real deal or just some strange anomaly? That’s without a doubt the most intriguing question in the Big East this season and one of the most interesting in all of college football.

There’s no question Rutgers was for real in 2006. A fluke doesn’t wind up winning 11 games, beating Louisville, nearly winning at West Virginia and winning a bowl. But can a program that has been so bad for so long (12 straight non-winning seasons before a 7-5 breakthrough in 2005) really turn things around that quickly and make it last?

There is certainly enough talent returning to make a run at it, starting with tailback Ray Rice, who ran for almost 1,800 yards as a sophomore, just ahead of Steve Slaton. Rice, though, won’t have fullback Brian Leonard to take off some of the pressure this year, and that certainly won’t help.

There are no other really crucial losses on the offense. Quarterback Mike Teel is hot and cold, but he got the job done and should be more consistent now. There is a solid group of receivers and an experienced, talented offensive line that could be the best in the Big East.

On defense, pass rusher Ramel Meekins and most of the linebacking corps is gone, but six starters are back from a group that was fourth in the country in total defense (252 yards allowed per game). The group includes a terrific secondary of safeties Ron Girault and Courtney Green, along with returning corner Jason McCourtey on one side and probably his twin brother Devin on the other.

The kicking is in very capable hands with Jeremy Ito, but all-league punter Joe Radigan will be missed, as will returner Willie Foster. Ito may pull double duty as the kicker and punter.

All-conference candidates

Offense: RB Ray Rice, OL Pedro Sosa, OL Jeremy Zuttah
Defense: DL Eric Foster, S Courtney Greene, DL Jamaal Westerman, S Ron Girault
Special teams: K Jeremy Ito

Notes

If Rutgers doesn’t repeat its success it sure won’t be the fault of the schedule, which includes just four road games. The Scarlet Knights will have played only one road game by the time they play host to West Virginia on Oct. 27 — their seventh home game. And of the four road games, only one is against a team that had a winning record last year — the season finale at Louisville.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Aug. 30 Buffalo (Thur.) DNP
Sept. 7 Navy (Fri.) W 34-0
Sept. 15 Norfolk State DNP
Sept. 29 Maryland DNP
Oct. 6 Cincinnati* L 11-30
Oct. 13 at Syracuse* W 38-7
Oct. 18 South Florida* (Thur.) W 22-20
Oct. 27 West Virginia* L 39-41 (3ot)
Nov. 3 at Connecticut* W 24-13
Nov. 9 at Army (Fri.) DNP
Nov. 17 Pitt* W 20-10
Nov. 29 at Louisville* (Thur.) W 28-25

* Big East Conference games

2006 record: 11-2 overall, 5-2 Big East (Beat Kansas State 37-10 in the Texas Bowl)
Dropped: North Carolina (W 21-16), Illinois (W 33-0), Ohio (W 24-7), Howard (W 56-7)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 9: Louisville
July 16, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007071515

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 17th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Steve Kragthorpe (1st year; 4th year overall, 29-22)

Checking them out

How much did Bobby Petrino mean to the Cardinals? Well, now that he’s taken the NFL money and run off to the Atlanta Falcons, we’re about to find out.

Tulsa’s Steve Kragthorpe was hired in what seemed like a matter of minutes after Petrino bolted, so obviously Louisville thinks it got its man. And it’s not as if Kragthorpe has a lot of rebuilding to do. He has Brian Brohm, Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia back as the core of the nation’s No. 2 offense (475 yards per game) and some young talent on defense.

The strength here, of course, is the offense. Brohm passed up the NFL draft to return for his senior season and he and more-than-capable backup Hunter Cantwell combined — get this — to complete 40 of 73 passes for 523 yards in the spring game. Douglas and Urrutia ranked 1-2 in the Big East in receiving yards and while two all-league linemen are gone, three starters return. Junior George Stripling and sophomore Anthony Allen combined for almost 900 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing last year, so that’s not likely to be a problem even with the loss of Kolby Smith and Michael Bush.

On defense just five starters are back and among the missing is first-round draft pick Amobe Okoye. But tackle Earl Heyman and sophomore end Peanut Whitehead could both be all-conference players and Malik Jackson is clearly the best returning linebacker in the league. The biggest problem on defense will be in the secondary, where only strong safety Latarrius Thomas returns

Groza Award winner Art Carmody gives Louisville almost automatic points even on the few occasions when the offense might bog down, but the Cardinals need a lot of help elsewhere on special teams, where they were near the bottom of the Big East in punting, punt returns and kickoff returns.

All-conference candidates

Offense: QB Brian Brohm, WR Mario Urrutia, WR Harry Douglas, C Eric Wood, OL George Bussey
Defense: LB Malik Jackson, DE Peanut Whitehead
Special teams: K Art Carmody

Notes

Attendance for Louisville’s spring game was 28,000. The defense beat the offense 51-45 when linebacker Preston Smith intercepted a Brohm pass in overtime. ... If Louisville is going to contend in the Big East and nationally again this year, the first nine games of the season are merely a warm-up. In the final three weeks the Cardinals play at West Virginia, at South Florida and home against Rutgers.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Aug. 30 Murray State (Thur.) DNP
Sept. 6 Middle Tennessee (Thur.) W 44-17
Sept. 15 at Kentucky W 59-28
Sept. 22 Syracuse* W 28-13
Sept. 29 at N.C. State DNP
Oct. 5 Utah (Fri.) DNP
Oct. 13 at Cincinnati* W 23-17
Oct. 19 at Connecticut* (Fri.) W 48-17
Oct. 27 Pitt* W 48-24
Nov. 8 at West Virginia* (Thur.) W 44-34
Nov. 17 at South Florida* W 31-8
Nov. 29 Rutgers* (Thur.) L 25-28

* Big East Conference games

2006 record: 12-1 overall, 6-1 Big East (Beat Wake Forest 24-13 in the Orange Bowl)
Dropped: Temple (W [i]62-0), Miami (W 31-7), Kansas State (W 24-6)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 10: Cincinnati
July 05, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/200707048

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Nov. 17, time TBA
Site: Nippert Stadium
Coach: Brian Kelly (first year at UC; 17th year overall, 137-51-2)

Checking them out

A 7-2 finish — West Virginia and Louisville providing the losses — allowed Bearcats coach Mark Dantonio to punch his ticket for the Big Ten and Michigan State. The UC administration then plucked Brian Kelly away from Central Michigan, where he led the Chippewas to a Mid-American Conference title.

That will present a potentially drastic change in the program, as Kelly will open up a typically blue-collar offense. And to challenge incumbent QB Dustin Grutza (1,632 yards, 9 TDs, 13 interceptions), Kelly lured Ben Mauk from Wake Forest. Mauk, who erased J.R. House’s national records as an Ohio schoolboy, transferred under the now-rescinded post-graduate rule.

Mauk’s arrival could mean big things for WRs Derrick Stewart and Dominick Goodman. The Bearcats will have to replace stud tight end Brett Celek (35-481, 3 TDs), and face another year of running back by committee. Whether Greg Moore or any other backs can catch passes is uncertain; none caught more than 12 last year.

Dantonio built a respectable defense, but Kelly will have to find replacements for All-Big East players LB Kevin McCullough and S Dominic Ross. But DT Terril Byrd and three other linemen are back on a unit that held seven teams under 100 yards rushing, and CB Mike Mickens has been in the top 10 in passes defended the past two years.

The Bearcats must replace both starting kickers, but punter Kevin Huber did have two 50-yard punts in the International Bowl after not playing in the regular season.

All-conference candidates

Offense: G Trevor Canfield, T Jeffrey Linkenbach, WR Derrick Stewart
Defense: DT Terrill Byrd, CB Mike Mickens

Notes

The bulk of Kelly’s head coaching work is a 118-35-2 mark in 13 seasons at Grand Valley State, including 2002 and 2003 Division II titles. One of his quarterbacks, Curt Anes, won a Harlon Hill Award, the division’s “Heisman.” After his successes at Grand Valley, he went to Central Michigan, where he led the Chippewas to a 9-4 mark in 2006. ... After a 47-year bowl drought, the Bearcats have made six appearances in the past decade.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 SE Missouri State (Thur.) DNP
Sept. 6 Oregon State (Thur.) DNP
Sept. 15 at Miami (Ohio) W 24-10
Sept. 22 Marshall DNP
Sept. 29 at San Diego State DNP
Oct. 6 at Rutgers* W 30-11
Oct. 13 Louisville* L 17-23
Oct. 20 at Pittsburgh* L 15-33
Nov. 3 at South Florida* W 23-6
Nov. 10 Connecticut* W 26-23
Nov. 17 West Virginia L 24-42
Nov. 24 at Syracuse* W 41-7

* Big East games

2006 record: 8-5 overall, 4-3 Big East (defeated Western Michigan 27-24 in the International Bowl)
Dropped: Eastern Kentucky (W 31-0), Ohio State (L 7-37), Virginia Tech (L 13-29), Akron (W 20-14)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 11: Connecticut
July 18, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007071733

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 19th in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Nov. 24, noon
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Randy Edsall (9th year, 41-51)

Checking them out

Almost every team in the Big East has benefited or been a contributor to the league’s resurgence in the past two years. Aside from the current Big Four of West Virginia, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida, even programs like Pitt, Cincinnati and Syracuse appear to be making progress.

The same can’t be said for Connecticut, though, and that’s a bit strange considering that when the Big East reorganized after the departure of Miami & Co. the Huskies were one of the conference’s poster programs. Yet since winning the Motor City Bowl in 2004, UConn is just 9-14, and five of those nine wins have come at the expense of Buffalo, Liberty, Army (twice) and Rhode Island.

Granted, injuries and off-field problems have crippled UConn, but the bottom line is that Randy Edsall’s job is probably there for the taking if something significant isn’t shown this season. And that’s not good news considering that the Huskies are building for the future, what with just six seniors on the two-deep. In other words, Edsall may be hard-pressed to still be around when the youth matures.

No position has been more troublesome than quarterback. It can be argued that Dan Orlavsky was the rock around which Connecticut’s promise was built, and since he graduated to the NFL the talent just hasn’t been the same. Tyler Lorenzen, a 6-foot-5 junior-college quarterback, might be the answer, but he’s still battling with Dennis Brown for the starting job. D.J. Hernandez, who almost single-handedly beat Pitt in two overtimes but also lost some games with interceptions, is out of the mix, having been moved to receiver.

If Lorenzen is the real deal he’ll have some help because he has a running game with sophomore tailback Donald Brown, who ran for almost 200 yards against Rutgers. The line has to be better because injuries made it horrible last season, but there’s not much depth at receiver.

On defense, LB Danny Lansanah is among the best in the Big East and corners Tyvon Branch and Darius Butler are solid. But the line is still porous.

The good news is Larry Taylor is a great returner if UConn can make anyone punt.

All-conference candidates

Offense: RB Donald Brown
Defense: LB Danny Lansanah, CB Darius Butler
Special teams: PR Larry Taylor

Notes

Here’s another sign of UConn’s fall from grace. Remember the last few years when the Huskies were moving games to every day of the week to get on TV? This year there’s only one TV game on the schedule so far, a Friday-nighter against Louisville. ... Four of UConn’s first five games are against lightweights Duke, Maine, Temple and Akron. ... The Huskies play only one team this season that they beat last year — Pitt.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 at Duke DNP
Sept. 8 Maine DNP
Sept. 15 Temple DNP
Sept. 22 at Pitt* W 46-45 (2ot)
Sept. 29 Akron DNP
Oct. 13 at Virginia DNP
Oct. 19 Louisville* (Fri.) L 17-48
Oct. 27 South Florida* L 16-38
Nov. 3 Rutgers* L 13-24
Nov. 10 at Cincinnati* L 23-26
Nov. 17 Syracuse* L 14-20
Nov. 24 at West Virginia* L 11-37

* Big East Conference games

2006 record: 4-8 overall, 1-6 Big East
Dropped: Rhode Island (W 52-7), Wake Forest (L 13-24), Indiana (W 14-7), Navy (L 17-41), Army (W 21-7)

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:West Virginia game 12: Pittsburgh
July 20, 2007

http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/WVU/2007071945

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.

Date with West Virginia: Saturday, Dec. 1, time TBA
Site: Mountaineer Field (60,000, FieldTurf), Morgantown
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (3rd year, 11-12)

Checking them out

Pitt’s coaching change two years ago was a recipe for disaster as far as immediate success was concerned. Out went Walt Harris, who seemed to recruit only skill-position players at the total expense of quality linemen. And in came Dave Wannstedt, whose idea of football is to be bigger, tougher and stronger than everybody else.

Is it any wonder the Panthers struggled with Wannstedt coaching Harris’ players?

Well, three recruiting classes later, Pitt is beginning to look more like a Wannstedt type of team. The strength of the offense is an improving line, and the strongest part of the defense is the front four. The challenge now is to fill in the rest of the holes, some of which have been there throughout Wannstedt’s first two seasons and a few more created by departures after last season.

The most immediate problem is filling the holes left by the departure of the best player on offense (QB Tyler Palko) and the two best on defense (LB H.B. Blades and CB Darrelle Revis).

The loss of Palko is significant. Junior Bill Stull knows the offense and that’s what will probably make him the opening-day starter, but watch out for hotshot recruit Pat Bostick. No matter who throws the ball, Derek Kinder and Oderick Turner at wideouts and TE Nate Byham will make him look good. And the tailback spot is pretty well stocked with little LaRod Stephens-Howling and another super recruit in LeSean McCoy. The line has four starters back.

The absence of Blades and Revis on defense could be a problem, but all four starters on the line return, including standout tackle Joe Clermond. And really now, even with Blades and Revis, the Panthers were next-to-last in the Big East in total defense, so is a little change really a bad thing?

All-conference candidates

Offense: WR Derek Kinder, OL Mike McGlynn
Defense: DL Joe Clermond - advertisement -
Special teams: KR Lowell Robinson

Notes

Pitt should have some of the best special teams in the league. Kicker Conner Lee is back after making 12-of-14 FGs last season. And although four-year punter Adam Graessle is gone, in steps 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior Dave Brytus, who was the starter at Purdue for two seasons and was on the Ray Guy watch list before transferring closer to home. Oh, and Lowell Robinson led the league in kickoff returns. ... Pitt’s schedule is made for a strong start, but three of the last five games are on the road at Louisville, Rutgers and West Virginia, along with a home game against USF.

2007 schedule

Date Opponent 2006
Sept. 1 Eastern Michigan DNP
Sept. 8 Grambling DNP
Sept. 15 at Michigan State L 23-38
Sept. 22 Connecticut* L 45-46 (2ot)
Sept. 29 at Virginia W 38-13
Oct. 10 Navy (Wed.) DNP
Oct. 20 Cincinnati* W 33-15
Oct. 27 at Louisville* L 24-48
Nov. 3 Syracuse* W 21-11
Nov. 17 at Rutgers* L 10-20
Nov. 24 South Florida* L 12-22
Dec. 1 at West Virginia* L 27-45

* Big East Conference games

2006 record: 6-6 overall, 2-5 Big East
Dropped: The Citadel (W 51-6), Toledo (W 45-3), Central Florida (W 52-7)

The BCS National Championship game should go here...

If you're looking for the most recent post, I've put the games in the order they are supposed to come in during the season. You'll need to scroll up.

Well, the only game missing is East Carolina for some reason. Maybe I missed it...



When I get them all, you'll notice...