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Updated: August 18, 5:42 PM ET Rodriguez has West Virginia on the right path By Jorge Milian Special to ESPN.com |
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West Virginia Mountaineers
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2002 overall record: 9-4 Conference record: 6-1 Returning starters Offense: 5, Defense: 4, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Avon Cobourne (1,710 yds) Passing: Rasheed Marshall* (1,616 yds) Receiving: Miquelle Henderson* (496 yds) Tackles: Grant Wiley* (133) Sacks: Angel Estrada (5) Interceptions: Jahmile Addae* (4) Outlook: West Virginia was one of three Division I-A teams to improve its win total by six games from 2001 to 2002. That figures to be a hard act to follow with the departure of Avon Cobourne, the Big East's all-time leading rusher, a rebuilt offensive line, uncertainty at receiver and major questions just about everywhere on defense. But the Mountaineers also have plenty going for them, starting with coach Rich Rodriguez, who resurrected the school's program far faster than anyone could have imagined. Rodriguez's no-huddle spread offense looked gimmicky in his rookie year as head coach in 2001. Last season, it was virtually unstoppable. While much of the offense's success in 2002 was attributable to the presence of Cobourne, the Mountaineers wouldn't have progressed so quickly without the emergence of quarterback Rasheed Marshall. Marshall was superb, passing for 1,616 yards and nine touchdowns (only five interceptions) while breaking Michael Vick's conference rushing record for quarterbacks with 666 yards. Despite Cobourne's departure, the cupboard is far from bare in West Virginia's backfield. Quincy Wilson, who gained 901 yards and averaged a Big East-high 6.4 yards per carry as Cobourne's understudy, is back. The worries are greatest on defense. Among the front seven, only first-team All-Big East linebacker Grant Wiley returns. The situation is a little better in the secondary where veteran starters Brian King and Lance Frazier are back. Key game: It's not a conference game, but the August 30 season opener with No. 20 Wisconsin in Morgantown will be a good indication of whether the Mountaineers are prepared to equal last season's success. Keep an eye on: Kay-Jay Harris. The former minor league baseball player and junior college phenom is expected to give the Mountaineers a powerful 1-2 tailback combination with senior Quincy Wilson. At 6-2 and 240 pounds, Harris is big enough to be teamed in the backfield alongside Wilson. It's a good year if. . .: West Virginia wins nine games again. The Mountaineers haven't won nine or more games in consecutive seasons since 1982-83. After last year's success, it's unlikely West Virginia will sneak up on anyone this season. With personnel questions at several positions and a difficult schedule to face, a seven- or eight-win season might be most realistic. Jorge Milian covers the Big East for the Palm Beach Post.
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