Mountaineers at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 at Boston College Sept. 8 vs. Ohio Sept. 15 at Maryland Sept. 22 vs. Kent State Oct. 6 vs. Virginia Tech Oct. 13 at Notre Dame Oct. 25 at Miami (Fla.) Nov. 3 vs. Rutgers Nov. 10 at Syracuse Nov. 17 vs. Temple Nov. 24 vs. Pittsburgh 2000 results (7-5, 3-4 Big East) Boston College W 34-14 Maryland W 30-17 Miami (Fla.) L 47-10 at Temple W 29-24 Idaho W 28-16 at Virginia Tech L 48-20 Notre Dame L 42-28 Syracuse L 31-27 at Rutgers W 31-24 East Carolina W 42-24 at Pittsburgh L 38-28 vs. Mississippi W 49-38

Now, one of Nehlen's former pupils, Rich Rodriguez, takes control. Rodriguez played defensive back for Nehlen in the early-to-mid '80s. After spending the '89 season as a volunteer coach for Nehlen at West Virginia, Rodriguez spent the next seven seasons as the head coach at Glenville State. From there, he joined Tommy Bowden's staff at Tulane, where he coordinated the offense during the Green Wave's perfect 12-0 season in '98.

The following season, Rodriguez moved to Clemson with Bowden, spending the past two years as offensive coordinator. In '99, the Tigers established an incredible 26 school records on offense, averaging just over 400 yards of total offense per game. And last season, the Tigers scored 31 or more points in eight regular-season games. Wherever Rodriguez has coached, his offenses have been incredibly potent and diverse.

With Rodriguez, it's not only about establishing a prolific aerial circus. During Tulane's remarkable '98 season, the Green Wave averaged over 200 yards rushing per game. And last season at Clemson, the Tigers were one of just six teams in the country to average over 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing per game. And how about this: In the four years (two at Tulane and two at Clemson) that Rodriguez coordinated the attack for Bowden, the offense averaged 190 yards rushing and 240 yards passing per game (430 total yards per game). Folks, that's impressive!

OFFENSE
Rodriguez takes over an offense that returns only four starters. With such a shift in terms of philosophy, that may not be such a negative. Remember, everybody starts out on the same page when it comes to the learning curve. Senior QB Brad Lewis (6-2½, 215 pounds) ran a similar offense during his prep days, allowing him to adapt fairly well in the spring to the abrupt change in tempo.

Talented redshirt freshman Rasheed Marshall will challenge Lewis in the fall and also figures as the Mountaineers' QB of the future. A Nehlen recruit, the 6-1, 188-pounder was not only a multidimensional QB at Valley Forge Academy but also captained the basketball team as well. Based on his fine showing in the spring, Marshall appears to have all the tools necessary to effectively direct Rodriguez's fast-break offense. Lefty Scott McBrien, who started two games in place of the injured Lewis last season, is currently No. 3 on the depth chart.

In dynamic 5-8, 190-pound junior Avon Cobourne, the Mountaineers have a proven, top-of-the-line RB who will also be called on to contribute heavily as a pass-receiving option. Solid depth is provided by senior Cooper Rego and sophomore Cassel Smith, who enjoyed an impressive spring after working initially as a DB with the Mountaineers.

The headliners at WR will be big-play senior Antonio Brown and physical, hard-nosed junior Phil Braxton (6-2½, 200). Beyond those two, however, there are some question marks. In the mix are junior A.J. Nastasi, senior Josh McMillen (a former baseball player) and senior Shawn Terry, who excelled as a kick returner last season, returning three for TDs. With the Mountaineers attacking with multiple-WR sets, this group will be counted on to produce on a game-to-game basis.

Up front, Rodriguez is stressing quickness and mobility; that's why he asked several offensive linemen to drop 20 pounds or so in preparation for the regular season. With four starters needing to be replaced, this group will be keyed by versatile senior RG Brad Knell, who has also seen action at both tackle spots and at LG during his college career.

DEFENSE
The Mountaineers are also changing the way they do business on the defensive side of the ball. You'll see eight-man fronts, with the idea being to confuse and distract the opposition when it comes to blocking schemes and adjustments up front. Outside of LB Chris Edmonds, the Mountaineers return their key defensive personnel.

Along the defensive line, 6-4, 288-pound senior Antwan Lake will be the player to watch, as will a strong linebacking corps that features four-year starter Kyle Kayden and blue-chip sophomore Grant Wiley. Wiley suffered a broken leg against Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl that forced him to miss spring practice, but he's now considered to be at 100 percent.

While the Mountaineers are in good shape at the safety spots with proven seniors Rick Sherrod and Shawn Hackett, CBs Lance Frazier and Richard Bryant must prove they can perform at a similar level. Frazier, just a sophomore, shows the necessary potential. Operating at the rover spot will be tenacious former juco transfer Angel Estrada. The 6-2, 195-pounder redshirted last season after coming over from Nassau Junior College.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game should be solid. Junior Mark Fazzolari led the Big East in punting with a 41.5-yard average in '99 and was third in the conference last season (42.2-yard average). As for the placekicking situation, Brenden Rauh has shown accuracy on shorter-range field goals, while Todd James excels as the kickoff man. The return game figures to be exciting. Shawn Terry brought back three kickoffs for TDs last season, while Antonio Brown is a major threat returning punts.

Overview: Rodriguez, just 38 years old, returns to his alma mater after proving to be an innovative and record-breaking offensive coordinator at Tulane and Clemson. An intense competitor, Rodriguez will field a high-energy, spirited football team that will go 100 mph from start to finish. QB Lewis' experience at running a similar offense (at the prep level) helped the senior in the spring, while talented youngster Marshall figures as the heir apparent. It will be interesting to see how much he's worked into the mix this year. Cobourne is a quality back who must also contribute as a pass-receiving option. Since Rodriguez will spread things out with multiple pass-receiving threats, wideouts beyond Brown and Braxton have to emerge. Up front, the focus is on quickness and mobility, but outside of RG Knell the O-line lacks experience.