The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

College Sports

October 11, 2012

Geno’s interception-free streak also ranks No.1

By Mickey Furfari For The Register-Herald

MORGANTOWN — That West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith hasn’t thrown an interception since last season’s finale at South Florida was bound to be brought up sooner or later.

Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech’s head coach, mentioned that on the Big 12 weekly media teleconference. Smith ranks No.1 in passing yardage per game (399.2), touchdowns (24) and the interception-free streak.

“He hasn’t thrown any interceptions,” Tuberville observed. “I don’t think he’s thrown any to be honest with you. I haven’t looked at the stats, but I haven’t seen any on film, after watching (WVU on tape) the past 48 hours.”

Smith broke the Big 12 Conference record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception during last week’s 48-45 win at Texas.

Geno has thrown 258 pass attempts without turning the ball over.

Tuberville’s Red Raiders host the Mountaineers, 5-0 and ranked No. 5, on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

Texas Tech has a 4-1 record, including 1-1 in the conference. WVU is 2-0 in the Big 12 and has a share of first place.

The Tech coach explained that he has seen a lot of film on the Mountaineers and saw very few mistakes by Smith, in addition to his lengthy interception-free streak that includes 204 attempts this season.

The previous Big 12 record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception was held by Jarrod Johnson of Texas A&M with a streak of 242 in 2009.

In case you’re interested, the national record is owned by former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson. He went 379 attempts without an interception in 2008-09.

WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen suggested that one reason for Smith avoiding interception has been that “we don’t talk about it much.”

Smith said it doesn’t bother him that Texas Tech might try to rattle him Saturday, verbally or physically.

Holgorsen said, “This streak has been a whole lot more to do with what the system is and how we’ve coached everybody from a technique standpoint and from an assignment standpoint … than probably as much as it has to do with the guy that’s throwing it.”

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