Published: November 30, 2008 11:53 pm      

WVU must pitch and catch to beat USF

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia hasn’t lost three consecutive football games to a current Big East Conference member since Syracuse turned the trick in 1999-2000-2001.

To prevent South Florida (7-4, 2-4 Big East) from beating the Mountaineers (7-4, 4-2) for a third time in a row here Saturday night, they are going to have to pitch and catch the ball and open up the running attack.

That’s what coach Bill Stewart said in his weekly Sunday afternoon media teleconference. The Bulls won here by 24-19 and at Tampa by 21-13 in the past two meetings.

Pass was pretty much what WVU tried to do against Pitt in last Friday’s 19-15 loss at Heinz Field. While the Mountaineers netted 173 yards rushing, quarterback Patrick White gained 93 on 12 keeper plays, including a 54-yard touchdown run.

The Panthers limited sophomore tailback Noel Devine to a mere 17 yards on 12 carries.

“We just could not get him going,” the first-year head coach said. “He’s just got to run the football. The line pass-blocked well, but didn’t block for the run as well as in the past.

“My hat is off (to USF) for stuffing us the last two years. They did to us what East Carolina did this year (a 24-3 loss). They’ve matched up on the outside and loaded up the box.

“Auburn couldn’t do it (a 34-17 win). (South Florida) did to us what Cincinnati did (a 26-23 overtime loss). So we hope to throw the football Saturday night.”

Stewart praised the 19 seniors who will be playing at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium for the last time. They also have clinched a spot in one of the lesser bowls. He said the team’s only goal this week is to do everything possible to send the senior class out on a winning note.

“We’re very blessed,” he commented. “We have a great group of seniors. They have 40 victories and need two more for a school four-year record. They’ve been great to coach. We’re very proud of what they have done here.

“They have worked hard. They’re blue-collar guys, and they (are) great leaders.”

Stewart said the squad is in fairly good condition, health-wise. He noted that Anthony Leonard, who has started at middle linebacker, probably will return to action Saturday. But Mike Dent, the regular center, is still out with a neck problem.

The coach said game tapes confirmed that the Mountaineers played very, very hard on both sides of the ball against Pitt, and that it was a tough game to lose. He cited Brandon Hogan, Chris Nield and Mortty Ivy as standouts on defense, with tackle Ryan Stanchek and kicker Pat McAfee outstanding on offense along with White.

McAfee now ranks sixth nationally in punting.

“We had some big (pass) drops come back to haunt us,” Stewart said. “(Pitt’s) LeSean McCoy was the difference in the game running the ball. He’s tough, tough to stop.”

The Mountaineers had their usual Sunday squad meeting, lifted weights, did some running and practiced Sunday evening. They will have today off.