Published: September 29, 2008 11:52 pm         

Can WVU's defense keep rolling?

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University’s football defense obviously showed significant improvement in its last two games.

After giving up 45 points and 785 yards combined in the 48-21 win over Villanova and 23-3 loss to East Carolina, the defensive unit yielded only 20 points and 524 yards in the 17-14 overtime defeat at Colorado and the 27-3 victory over Marshall last Saturday.

Coach Bill Stewart talked about that, among other matters, on the Big East’s weekly media teleconference Monday.

“We’ve come on very strong defensively,” he said, “and I’m hoping we can continue that. Offensively, we hit on more cylinders — not all cylinders — than we had in the past. We moved the ball around to more people — not just (Patrick) White and Noel (Devine).”

Despite its disappointing 1-3 season’s start, Stewart said he’s very much worried about the speed possessed on offense by Rutgers, which visits Morgantown on Saturday for both teams’ Big East opener.

“The Scarlet Knights have a chance to be as explosive as they could be,” he continued. “They were 5-2 in the league last year, and Greg Schiano does a great job. Those guys will be ready to play.”

He singled out wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, tight end Kevin Brock and quarterback Mike Teel as keys to an offensive unit that has good speed. He noted that there’s good skill on the offensive line, too.

“They have great talent and good big, big men,” Stewart said. “They started slower than they wanted to, but they look like they’re jelling now.”

Defensively, the Mountaineer mentor has great respect for the front line, and he likes the linebackers and thinks those in the secondary also are performing well now.

Underwood causes concern as an outstanding kick-return man as well as a fine pass-catcher and blocker.

Stewart said White, who aggravated a bruised thumb in last Saturday’s game, practiced on Sunday and even threw some passes. “It is not as bad as it had been after he hurt it in the game at Colorado,” he explained.

He said he’s glad Jarrett Brown, the No. 2 quarterback, got significant playing time against Marshall as a ball carrier as well as a signal-caller and receiver. But he’s not certain how much Brown might be used against Rutgers.

Meantime, WVU coaches named these award winners for the Marshall game:

Offensive champions, Mike Dent and Noel Devine; defensive champions, Ellis Lankster and Brandon Hogan; special teams champion, Pat McAfee.

Scout team champions, Mike Poiter (offense); Lawrence Smith (defense); no one was selected for special teams or the hammer award.

NOTES: Linebacker Reed Williams made the Big East’s weekly honor roll for his performance last Saturday. He had a game-high 11 tackles, including two for lost yardage, in only his second appearance of 2008. Stewart said Williams’ presence brings a spark to the entire team ... The Big East announced that WVU’s home game against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 11, will be televised by ESPNU with a noon kickoff time.