Published: November 03, 2009 11:34 pm      

Stewart: Louisville has a lot to gain, nothing to lose

The saying goes that the most dangerous animal is a wounded animal.

No doubt that West Virginia falls under that category after being totally fleeced by South Florida 30-19 last Friday.

Then again, the most dangerous team is often a team with nothing to lose.

Here you’ll find Louisville, owner of a 3-5 record and an 0-3 Big East mark.

“I see a team that has a lot to gain and nothing to lose,” WVU coach Bill Stewart said at his weekly press conference Tuesday. “I see a team that can make plays. I saw them beat a very good Southern Miss team that will beat some people this season. Louisville is a dangerous team coming here.”

The Mountaineers host the Cardinals at noon Saturday. It will be the last Saturday home game and the next-to-last home game (Pitt visits Friday, Nov. 27).

Stewart knows West Virginia (6-2, 2-1) is the prohibitive favorite Saturday.

“I think it was (Pitt coach) Dave (Wannstedt) that mentioned a trap game,” he said. “When you are in the Big East, they are all trap games. You let your guard down, then you are going to get beat. We didn’t let our guard down at USF; we got outplayed in a couple of positions and got beat. That happens.

“I think Louisville is going to come in here and play a heck of a football team. They better be ready because I know we are ready.”

Louisville started its third different quarterback, redshirt freshman Will Stein, in the Cardinals’ 21-13 win over Arkansas State last week. Adam Froman and Justin Burke were out with injuries.

Stein was 20-for-39 for 232 yards in the win.

“I’m worried as heck about their passing game,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if (receiver Doug Beaumont) is playing, but he can run and catch (5 receptions for 35 yards against ASU). Their receivers are skilled players.”

Stewart was asked about preparing for as many as three different quarterbacks.

“It is hard to prepare for three people,” he said. “However, if they are preparing three people, they really have a hard task. My formula is pretty sound. I have learned from some great coaches, and it has worked. It is what we do here. You cannot give equal practice time to the same position. If you did, then you should play 50 percent of the time.”

Louisville was also without leading rusher Victor Anderson (86-480, five touchdowns), but Bilal Powell had 17 carries for 96 yards and Darius Ashley added 77 and two touchdowns.

“They are a dangerous outfit,” Stewart said. “I don’t know who we are going to see at quarterback or running back, but I don’t care because I’m focused on how the Mountaineers play.”

Stewart didn’t seem to be real concerned about the fact that tailback Noel Devine was held to 42 yards on 17 carries at USF.

“You just keep calling what you are calling,” he said. “Our offense is a thing of beauty at times and at times it is not. When we are clicking, it is pretty.”

WVU will again have a short week after Louisville, traveling to Big East co-leader Cincinnati the following Friday.

— E-mail: demorrison@

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