Published: October 10, 2008 12:03 am         

Sanders shines for WVU

Mountaineers set to host Syracuse

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia football notebook:

Sophomore Jock Sanders, who plays more than one position, had a ready reply when asked what he thinks is his role in the Mountaineers’ offense.

“Just to make a play when I have to and when the team needs me to make a play,” the speedy slot receiver and running back said. “I switch around. I come out of the backfield a couple times or line up in the slot.”

What’s more, he also is listed as a punt returner

“We try to put in some new things every week,” Sanders said. “And we’ve got to go out there and execute. I believe we’ve got our work cut out for us this week against Syracuse.

“I think the game at East Carolina was a wake-up call for us. I believe we’ve played pretty well since then.”

A near-capacity homecoming crowd of close to 60,000 is expected for Saturday’s noon kickoff at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium. The weather forecast is for sunny and nice with the temperature soaring to 77 degrees.

The action will be televised live by ESPNU (which few West Virginia homes reportedly receive). Dave Armstrong will announce the play-by-play, with Larry Coker as the analyst.

It will be broadcast on the statewide Mountaineer Sports Network, with Tony Caridi doing the play-by-play, Dwight Wallace the analyst and Hoppy Kercheval the host.

Anthony Leonard, who has replaced the ailing Reed Williams at middle linebacker, played well in his first start last week in the 24-17 win over Rutgers.

“When I came here, I wanted to do my part,” the 6-2, 240-pound sophomore said. “So I appreciate the opportunity I now have.

“A lot of people thought they were bringing me along for the ride. But I work hard and am trying to continue to get better.”

Tale of the Tape:

West Virginia is averaging 23.2 points and 357.0 yards per game, Syracuse 21.0 points and 287.6 yards.

The breakdown is 226.6 to 157.2 yards rushing and 130.4 to 130.4, respectively.

Defensively, the Mountaineers are giving up 16.4 points 315.8 yards per game compared to 36.4 points and 462.4 yards by the Orange.

WVU is limiting opponents to 114.8 yards rushing and 201.0 passing compared to SU’s 206.8 rushing and 255.6 passing.

All-America offensive tackle Ryan Stanchek thinks Syracuse has a great defensive line.

“Arthur Jones, No. 97, is a great nose tackle,” he said. “He’s an All-America candidate. He’s quick and he uses his hands well. He has played tough against us in the past. He ranks ninth in the country in tackles.

“So we’re going to have to handle him somehow. And their whole defense is quick and they’re definitely on the rise.”

Dating back to 2005, WVU has 124 rushing touchdowns in its last 37 games. That averages out to 3.4 per game.

Patrick White now is No. 3 in the Big East in career touchdowns-responsible-for with 85, including 30 via rushing in his last 25 games.

He currently has 3,934 yards rushing. That total ranks him second all-time in NCAA history among quarterbacks.

Julian Miller, a redshirt freshman nose tackle, is happy to be logging more playing time this season.

“My speed is up there, but I still drag a bit and am getting used to it,” he said.

“I think our defense is gradually getting better. I think we’ll be all right. But we’ve just got to keep getting better.”