Published: September 04, 2008 11:56 pm         

White says ‘A’ game is ‘must’ at ECU

MORGANTOWN — Despite the forecast of inclement weather, West Virginia quarterback Patrick White said the eighth-ranked Mountaineers can’t expect to beat East Carolina without its “A” game Saturday at Greenville, N.C.

Hanna is headed for the Carolina coast, according to The Weather Channel. Heavy rain and high winds reportedly are possible, even if the tropical storm turns elsewhere.

Asked whether he ever played in hurricane-like conditions, White replied earlier in the week: “No, but I have played football in some heavy rain before. Football is fine if the rain stops.”

The Heisman Trophy hopeful admittedly doesn’t have any idea what to expect on the first road trip of the season.

“We just have to go out, execute well and see what happens,” he said. “We can’t expect not to bring an ‘A’ game and beat these guys.

“They are a pretty good team. They’ve impressed us since we started playing them. If we execute properly, I don’t think there are many people that can play with us.

“But East Carolina is well-coached, well-prepared and they play hard.”

West Virginia defeated the Pirates 48-7 last year. But the previous two years the Pirates were much more competitive. Two years ago at Greenville the Mountaineers scored the game’s last 10 points in winning 27-10.

“I don’t know what happened (in 2006),” White said. “We just didn’t play well. We really weren’t prepared. We didn’t play like we were supposed to play.”

He passed for two touchdowns and scored another himself on a five-yard keeper play in that contest. In last Saturday’s opening 48-21 win over Villanova, he threw for a personal-best five TDs.

What is East Carolina’s biggest challenge to White?

“Their big, strong (defensive) line,” he said. “We’ve got to put a body on a body and execute.

“I’ve got to be a lot more accurate. No excuses, no matter what conditions you’re playing in. I like playing football, and I like to win.”

WVU is 27-4 with White as the starter.

In the 2008 season opener, he completed 25 of 33 passes for 208 yards and also led the team in rushing with a net 63 yards on nine carries.