100th Post for 2008!!!

I hope this post finds the readers happy. I thought for this post I would just send out a big thank you to you the reader and to the authors on this site. Without them this site would be a no-go. Anyway, I hope that the readership continues to enjoy our posts. We would love it if you would comment on our posts and lend us your insights as well. WVU athletics has been in a 'golden era' we can only hope that it continues. I for one can never get enough of WVU sports. I hope that this site will continue to bring you up to date information and creative commentary. If you have any thoughts on how we can improve please use this post to share your thoughts.

Da Geek

Stewart Gets Six Year Deal. (and other thoughts)

Coach Stew signed a deal that will pay him $800,000 this season w/ an increase of $50,000 each year. There are also $400,000 in additional incentives which he can earn. I imagine many are disappointed that WVU has latched on to an unproven commodity and could be stuck w/ having to buy out his contract. I think the news is meaningless. Pastilong hasn't fired a football or basketball coach in 30 years so there is little chance that Stewart would ever be fired anyway. And if things get really terrible, I take Coach Stew at his word and believe he would probably leave anyway. At least now, if they enjoy success, we have a coach at a tremendous bargain for 6 years.

That being said, there are still some significant concerns about this staff that we should monitor and expect improvement. Tackling was a problem against Villanova and continued to be a problem agianst ECU. Blocking and Tackling are the most basic fundamental techniques that Offensive and Defensive players must master. WVU's weaknesses in those areas brings into question the new easier going attitude Stewart has in practices.

The new instant replay rules seemed to cause a problem for Stewart as well. The early fumble where it appeared Pat White was out of bounds should have been challenged. In the first few weeks, I have seen quite a few instances where a play should have been reviewed but never was. It seems replay officials are reluctant to slow down the game. It seems as though that they are trying to see something before stopping the game instead of stopping the game to see if there is something to see. That could have been the NCAA's intention which is why they gave each coach a challenge to use. In Coach Stew's defense, many coaches have made the same error in the early season including Leavitt on a play against Kansas.

And finally, according to the announcers, WVU won the coin toss and deferred to the second half resulting in ECU receiving the ball to start the game. Though it may seem like a small thing, I was perplexed even at the time as to why we didn't take the ball. WVU's main problem against Villanova, was not just stopping Villanova, but getting the defense off of the field. Given the task that was at hand for the game, there doesn't seem to be any reason we should not have taken the ball to start the game.

The Big East has become the early laughing stock of the BCS. The ACC is still terrible, but they have more quality that the Big East in the early going. South Florida appears to have a very strong team again this year, but even they may not be a top 10 team. Rutgers, Pitt, and Louisville have turned out to be terrible. Cincinnati was expected to be tough. However with Mauk losing every appeal to return and their other QB Grutza suffering a broken leg against Oklahoma, they may not live up to expectations. Connecticut's overtime win against Temple makes you wonder exactly how competitive they will be and Syracuse is obviously terrible as expected. So it is still quite possible for WVU to get their problems in check and win the Big East. Unfortunately, no matter who wins the conference, it won't earn much respect from the rest of the country.

Weezie

Well the fall begins...WVU 24th and 25th in two major polls...

Well they remain in the top 25 this week. That is something all things considered. Obviously, the gamblers have lost faith for the Eers are beginning the betting line as 8.5 point dogs. That is OK by me. I like climbing the hill. I just hope that we don't forget the rope. Clearly someone did last weekend. Pat White told us that he isn't panicking. I am not but I have reassessed my goals for the year. BCS or bust. Now that will be a tall order but one that can be fulfilled. Those that are already jumping ship I think are waisting lifeboats. I really think that this ship will reach the port. All that being said I am ready to see what they can do against Colorado. The Buffs are no doubt smelling blood in the water. They will come ready to play and thus we need to be as well. So hang in there gang. Thursday of next week is the beginning of the rest of the season. I for one will be watching...
Lets Go Mountaineers!!!
DaGeek

Well that didn't go as planned... Pirates 24 Moutaineers 3

My first impressions of this game are negative to say the least. Our beloved Eers could never get anything going. Two things are true. I was underestimating ECU and I was overestimating WVU. I suspected that our young defense was going to have to find itself but I didn't expect them to simply get beat up. Truth be told Pinkney never had any problems dissecting our defense. And our offense, in the Pat White era has never looked so anemic.

We have some work to do. Fortunately, and agonizingly, we have to face a 2 week layover before facing Colorado on the Thursday night game. Yes my fellow Eer fans we are about to have a precipitous drop in the polls and we are going to be attacked by every media outlet out there. Tis the medicine we must swallow. Crow never tastes very good but I am ready for my first helping.

WVU lost to a very good ECU team today. I was hoping that the growing pains of a coaching change were going to be postponed until next year. Alas that is not the case. Adjustments need to be made sure, but I hope that the fan base doesn't simply give up. One loss doesn't end a season. It simply helps to redefine it. I am anxious to see what happens in Boulder. I expect to see a better team on the field than the one that made the trip to Greenville. Congrats to the Pirates and good luck. I shall have further thoughts down the road but this is all I can do while I am still licking my wounds.

Let's Go Mountaineers!!!

DaGeek

X WVU Gridders who have made the NFL grade:

Chris Henry of Cincinnati will be on the team after serving his 4 game suspension.

John Thornton also on Cincinnati has extended his long NFL carrer yet another year.

Adam Jones now of Dallas will be returning punts playing the roll of 3rd corner and may even see time as a reciever.

Steve Slaton a 3rd round draft pick to the Houston Texans is looking to see significant playing time.

Jerry Porter is now with Jacksonville, if his injuries prove to be insignificant Porter looks to be a valuable cog in the wheel of this AFC championship contender.

Antwan Lake of New Orleans will continue his journeyman run in the NFL. He has proven to be a solid ST player.

Owen Schmitt (the man the legend) of Seattle will likely see this year only as a ST player but looks to move up the full back depth chart in years to come.

Anthony Becht now of the St. Louis Rams looks to help out his former teamate Marc Bulger in leading the Rams back to winning ways.

It looks as if Marc Magro was signed to the St. Louis practice squad. Let us hope he can develop this year and make a pro roster next year. Good luck to all of our beloved alums.

DaGeek

Keys of the game

Saturday at ECU may be the biggest game of the year. Yes, Auburn and Colorado loom but those losses would/could be understandable. This is a game we are expected to win and all eyes will be watching. That being said here are my keys to the game.

The defense MUST get to Pinkney. VT wasn't able to get to him and frankly we weren't able to get to Antwon Young of Villanova. Granted we were sitting in a prevent type defense, but at some point you have to stop the 5 yard out! Otherwise Pinkney will pick us apart.

White has to run. It was nice to see the offense is going to open up, but White has a way of controlling a game with his feet. He humiliates defenses! But I think he needs more than 9 carries to break in his shoes. Same with Devine, he needs more carries to develop a rhythym.

Take care of the ball. No turnovers or give-me's on special teams. Ask VT how that works. The added dimension of a hurricane can make this THE key to the game.

GO MOUNTIES!

Greg

Arthur Render JUCO S/DB gives verble to WVU

Scout.com reports, Doc Holliday had been in contact with this kid even before he became recruiting coordinator for WVU. 5 foot 11 inch 180 pound, Render who is from North-Western High in Miami Florida decided his ties to Doc were the deal sealer. Welcome home Arthur. Photo from Scout.com.

DaGeek

WVU vs. ECU Early look... Weather looks to be a factor.

Sports Bet has WVU an 8pt favorite for this Saturday's Tilt. That is of course if the game happens at all. Rumors abound as to how to overcome the landfall of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna. Some folks have reported that Wake Forest could be the location of the game if Hanna doesn't behave herself. But as of tonight the game is still on for the ESPN covered 4:30 kickoff at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, NC. The official ECU athletic website indicates that it shall give regular updates on the status of the game. The game is to be carried on ESPN National TV as well as streaming on ESPN360. I shall keep this blog-post open and will update the photographs from both Weather.com and the NOAA site.

The most recent update to this post is as follows:

•The game will kick off at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6 (based on the best information available at this time)

•The parking lots will open three hours prior to kickoff

•Tents and tow cookers are prohibited in all parking lots

•Fans are encouraged to carpool (double-occupancy preferred)

•Softball Lot moved to Belk Lot

•All general public parking spaces in Belk Lot eliminated•No anticipated changes to all handicapped lots

•An update on the situation will be released by ECU officials mid-day Friday.

DaGeek

WVU holds steady at 8th! Big East Standings/awards...Ivy Defensive POW and McAffee Special Teams POW Pat White Honorable Mention

USA Today/ Coaches Poll:
1. Southern California (23)
2. Georgia (20)
3. Ohio State (10)
4. Oklahoma (2)
5. Florida (3)
6. LSU (3)
7. Missouri
8. West Virginia
9. Texas
10. Auburn
11. Wisconsin
12. Kansas
13. Texas Tech
14. Arizona State
15. Brigham Young
16. Oregon
17. Alabama
18. South Florida
19. Penn State
20. Wake Forest
21. Fresno State
22. Clemson
23. Utah
24. South Carolina
25. Illinois
Dropped out: No. 15 Virginia Tech (0-1, lost to East Carolina 27-22), No. 18 Tennessee (0-1, lost to UCLA 27-24 OT), No. 24 Michigan (0-1, lost to then-unranked Utah 25-23).
Others receiving votes: UCLA 91; California 79; East Carolina 56; Tennessee 56; Boston College 36; Florida State 29; Virginia Tech 25; Boise State 24; Kentucky 20; TCU 15; Cincinnati 13; Connecticut 13; Nebraska 12; Arizona 8; Oklahoma State 5; Notre Dame 4; Colorado 3; Bowling Green 2; Georgia Tech 2; Central Florida 1; Miami (Fla.) 1; Stanford 1; Tulsa 1.

AP Poll:

1 Southern Cal (21)
2 Georgia (20)
3 Ohio St. (15)
4 Oklahoma (2)
5 Florida (5)
6 Missouri (1)
7 LSU (1)
8 West Virginia
9 Auburn
10 Texas
11 Wisconsin
12 Texas Tech
13 Alabama
14 Kansas
15 Arizona St.
15 BYU
17 South Florida
18 Oregon
19 Penn St.
20 Wake Forest
21 Fresno St.
22 Utah
23 UCLA
24 Illinois
24 South Carolina
Others receiving votes: Clemson 143, East Carolina 108, California 91, Boston College 36, Florida St. 36, Cincinnati 35, Tennessee 30, Boise St. 19, Bowling Green 17, Virginia Tech 14, Connecticut 9, Rutgers 6, Kentucky 5, Nebraska 4, Oklahoma St. 3, Arizona 2, TCU 2, Miami 1, North Carolina 1, Notre Dame 1, Tulsa 1.First-place votes in parentheses.

Big East Standings:

Conference Overall
W L W L

1. South Florida
0 0 1 0
1. West Virginia
0 0 1 0
1. Cincinnati
0 0 1 0
1. Connecticut
0 0 1 0
5. Pittsburgh
0 0 0 1
5. Syracuse
0 0 0 1
5. Rutgers
0 0 0 1
5. Louisville
0 0 0 1

Cincinnati quarterback Dustin Grutza, West Virginia linebacker Mortty Ivy and Mountaineer kicker Pat McAfee have been chosen as the recipients of the BIG EAST Conference's weekly football accolades following games of Sept. 1.

Grutza, who was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week completed 21 of 28 passes for career highs of 296 yards and three touchdowns without an interception while finishing with a rushing touchdown and 33 yards on the ground in Cincinnati’s 40-7 win against Eastern Kentucky. Grutza amassed a BIG EAST-leading 329 yards of offense and became the eighth quarterback in Cincinnati history to surpass 4,000 career passing yards (4,159).

Ivy, who was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week had a hand in two of West Virginia’s three takeaways in the Mountaineers’ 48-21 win against Villanova. He scored a touchdown on a 29-yard interception return and added a 30-yard fumble return. Ivy also had five tackles and a sack

McAfee was tabbed as BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week after he scored 12 points in West Virginia’s 48-21 win against Villanova, moving into a tie for fifth among kickers on the BIG EAST’s career scoring chart (309). He kicked two field goals, including a career-best 52-yard attempt, added six PATs and averaged 42.5 yards on two punts.

Honorable Mention:

Pat White, QB, West Virginia — Completed 25 of 33 passes for 208 yards and a career-high five touchdowns and had a game-high 63 rushing yards on nine carries in a 48-21 win against Villanova. Moved into first place on West Virginia’s career total offense list (7,984 yards).


Da Geek

Some Images from Saturday August 31 WVU vs. Nova by DaGeek