By Dave Morrison
Credit Noel Devine for a save.
Were it not for the mighty mite’s 92-run late in the game, WVU could have been the victim of a season-ruining loss to lowly Syracuse in 2008.
As it was, Devine picked the perfect time for the second-longest touchdown run in school and Milan Puskar Stadium history. And it was third-and-7 to boot. West Virginia managed a 17-6 win in a game it led 7-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Of course, Pat White didn’t play in that game. But still ...
It all worked out for WVU that day.
But Syracuse got the feeling that it should have won that game.
Which sets the stage for this year’s meeting in Syracuse.
A lot has changed for the Orange, namely new coach Doug Marrone, a Syracuse grad (1991) who comes in after being the offensive coordinator for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
And, believe it or not, he wanted the job.
Big names with college credentials like Skip Holtz (ECU) and Turner Gill (Buffalo) were linked to the job. But Marrone impressed in his interview with AD Daryl Gross.
He takes over for Greg Robinson, who was 10-37 in four unimpressive seasons.
Marrone has brought back several traditions that were in play when he was at Syracuse, including burning a pair of shoes to purge the bad memories.
But unless Jim Brown still has eligibility, it could be a rebuilding year under Marrone.
He does, however, have some weapons to work with, including the return of receiver/playmaker Mike Williams, who was academically ineligible last year. In 2007, Williams caught a TD pass in nine straight games and had 60 catches.
Williams was a second-team all-conference performer last year.
And he has a pair of credible tailbacks in oft-injured Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey, who had 713 yards rushing as a freshman in 2008. He has been injured often since but will begin this season as the starter.
Senior quarterback Cameron Dantley, son of former NBA star Adrian Dantley, could end up fighting for the starting job after completing just 121-of-251 passes with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
With Marrone implementing a spread attack, freshman Ryan Nassib could be the starter by the time WVU rolls into the Carrier Dome on Oct. 10.
Defensively, new coordinator Scott Shaffer has some questions to answer. Can All-Big East Conference tackle Arthur Jones and Jared Kimmel return from surgery. Can converted tailback Doug Hogue make the transition to outside linebacker. A completely overhauled secondary is also a concern.
West Virginia has won seven straight over the Orange, last falling 24-13 in 2001 at the Carrier Dome in Rich Rodriguez’s first season at WVU.
