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White: WVU's goals still attainable
Standout QB says team can't afford to lose to Colorado
Pat White is a very polite and humble person on the telephone.
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But conducting a long-distance interview with West Virginia's star quarterback does come with one request from the program's media relations staff:
Out-of-state reporter, please don't bring up the name Rich Rodriguez.
The No. 25 Mountaineers, who play Colorado Thursday at Folsom Field, have turned the page on last season's dramatic storyline that saw their very successful head coach leave his native state for Michigan.
Rodriguez's well-publicized exit came just after the Mountaineers blew an opportunity to play in the BCS national title game and just before they appeared in the Fiesta Bowl.
Bill Stewart guided West Virginia to a 48-28 romp over Oklahoma in the bowl game as the interim coach on Jan. 2 and parlayed that happy ending into officially being named Rodriguez's successor a few days later.
Although some Mountaineer fanatics are already questioning the decision following the team’s 24-3 loss at East Carolina, the subject of Stewart remains White’s favorite.
“He treats me like I’m one of his own,” White said. “He’s a great man, a great father, a great husband. I love playing for him.”
White’s statistics in 2007 — he rushed for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns and passed for 1,724 yards and 14 touchdowns — show that there was a pretty good balance in his football life under Rodriguez.
In two games this season, White has only rushed for 180 and no touchdowns while passing for 280 yards and five touchdowns.
Stewart has hinted that West Virginia will return more to the “belly option” against the Buffs, who struggled at times to stop Eastern Washington’s spread attack a week ago.
White says the team’s loss to the upstart Pirates had more to do with East Carolina’s stout defense than his offense.
“They won the battles and outplayed us,” White explained. “That’s what happened.”
Despite dropping to 1-1 and 17 spots in the Associated Press poll, the Mountaineers believe all of their preseason aspirations — including getting back into the national title picture and having White’s name mentioned in the Heisman Trophy debate — are obtainable.
But probably not without a victory in Boulder.
“I think we definitely have the potential and the athletes to get it done. Our goals are still in front of us,” White said. “We have 10 games left and we have to finish them. Of course, taking it one game at a time.”
White, an Alabama native who was sixth in the Heisman balloting last season, has never stepped foot in Colorado before. However, he is used to playing in big games on national television.
“I expect an amped up crowd and to face a team that’s going to come out and play with a lot of heart,” White said. “I think it’s definitely going to be an exciting game. I know their defense is well coached and they have good schemes and talented players. ...
“Right now we just need to play West Virginia football every quarter from here on out.”
Posted by mgmtgrad on September 13, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't wait to watch this game. I only hope that the Buffs come out strong at the beginning of the game. With a couple of poor exception last year i.e. Baylor and ISU, CU has proven pretty resilient in the second half of a lot of games; OU, NU, EW, CSU and even some near come from behind games against FSU and Alabama.
So a lot depends on which team shows up for the first half along with the play calling and formations called by the coaching staff.
Let’s all hope they can dig deep on this one and even gain some extra drive and desire from this weeks passing of a CU great Eddie Crowder. As they say win one for the “Gipper” (I hope I spelled that one correctly).
But most importantly they need to believe they can win this one for themselves.
Marcus J
Posted by mgmtgrad on September 13, 2008 at 2:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to add that CU can’t come out and wait and see what WV is going to do on offense, they have to come out with their own plan to attack from the start, naturalize key players from the start and hit them hard. Make WV go three and out on the first few possessions, while making a few first downs on their possessions. This game will have to start as a game of field position and clock management for CU to have a chance at being in the game early.
Marcus J
Posted by badbuff on September 13, 2008 at 4:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see what both Hawkins' are made of......it's time to take the next step and beat a so so W.V. on National TV..
If little Hawk wants to play QB in the Big 12 it's time to step up and walk the walk....
There is no reason the Buffs can't beat W.V and FSU
It's time for CU to explode on the National Scene
Posted by MDBuff on September 13, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is going to be the game that 'Eers fans point to as the one that Coach Stewart brought the program down to its knees.
Posted by zwilson56 on September 13, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall,
This is really sad. You actually log out and log back in under a different name so that it looks like someone responded to, and agreed with, your comments. Really sad.
Posted by rodrigo on September 13, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, wanna know what happens to a team with no running game, slow corners and an overall questionable d, check out Kansas vs. USF last night. Blame the "short" qb if you want but when the ball is in the air that much, bad things can and do happen.
Crank up that running game, Buffs. Avoid the Kansas disease.
Posted by extrapoint on September 13, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
she has been doing it for a coupla years now
never underestimate an Idaho woman scorned
Posted by oldbuffer on September 13, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Schedules are made out years in advance. I'll bet KU thought SOUTH Florida would be a cupcake when they scheduled that game. Might be a little premature, but I just moved the KU game to a probable win for us. As everyone has noted, a lot depends on whether or not our young line can get a run game going. Got to force 8 in the box to help Cody go a little deeper.
Posted by buff4life on September 13, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tally has been changing his "handle" for years now but the "smell" is still the same.....
Posted by montanabuff on September 13, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Both teams are questioning themselves after last weekend. WVU got a wake up call from East Carolina, and the Buffs certainly can't be too proud of their overall performance against Eastern Washington.
Whichever team plays well early will have confidence. The team which struggles early will question itself. CU can't afford to be the first team to turn the ball over or give up the big play.
Can't wait for kickoff - hope my plane isn't late!
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by flyfishingbuff on September 13, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CU needs to start this game strong. They cannot wait until the 2nd half to get things going like they have done the last five games. We will need a full 4 quarters of very good football to beat WVU. Hope we see a lot of Scott and Speedy. GO BUFFS!!!!
Posted by focobuff on September 13, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone have any inside information concerning Hawkins' plans on offense? I'd really like to see the Buffs come out in an I, but after the debacle last week, I'm not so sure that it's in the playbook. The I would have been a great way to neutralize Eastern Washington's unexpected speed on their d-line. Why Hawkins/Helfrich hasn't put Scott behind a lead blocker is a mystery to me. Yes, he's trying not to tip his hand, but when you're in a battle with the Eagles of Eastern Washington, you have to utilize your superior strength. I'm really hoping we see it this week, that's for sure.
Posted by edawg on September 13, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this game is going to be rad. Wondering what time campus will open for the game? With a 6:30 start most of the lots are for student parking only until after 5:00. I have heard that they may cancel classes that start after 1:00, but we shall see.
As for the comments above, I would look for an entirely different offense than we have seen the first couple of weeks. More I formation, more play-action, less of the mis-direction and motion than we have seen the last two seasons.
Posted by extrapoint on September 13, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
anyone notice the BYU/slick ricky score? oh my god!!! Is BYU that tough or is UCLA that bad? and how bad does that make Tenessee look? Oh well just more of the overrated SEC.
Posted by extrapoint on September 13, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the Baylor score also puts last week's win by Okie State in perspective as well. How bad is Wasington State? EW looks like the toughest team in the state of Washington right now.
Posted by extrapoint on September 13, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoa Nellie!
Where is that phony folksy Keith Jackson these days?
BYU was on a mission. Has ricky been converted?
TCU performs a lobotomy on Stanford
AND
Perenial MWC doormat New Mexico hands a "Stoops type coach" his a**.
I wonder if that skirt up in Boise (nepa/tall)can give us a statement on the little bro nepotism?
Suddenly it looks like the Mountain West is a stronger overall conference than the PAC 10.
Of course if USC can avoid a letdown and an upset next game it is smooth sailing to the NC game. Cal bends over for Maryland and it takes Oregon overtime to reign in that powerhouse Purdue
Posted by flabuff227 on September 14, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
that score was nice to see! How many fumbles did ucla have? 35 points off to's. Thats a neuheisel team for u. He will probably take the team to the beach because they diddn't turn it over 6 times. 59-0= carma.
Posted by BigBuff on September 14, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Arizona State also lost to perennial powerhouse UNLV. I love the UCLA score. Worst loss since 1926 for them. Welcome to the "neu" era!
Posted by vegasbufffan on September 14, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BigBuff:
Be nice to UNLV.... Lots of Buff Fans here from Vegas.
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