WVU vs. Rutgers: A Unit-By-Unit Look At The Mountaineers Victory Over The Scarlet Knights

by 5th Year Senior on Nov 2, 2011 12:45 PM EDT in Mountaineer Football

It was another fall Saturday and Manhattan's favorite team was ready for a marquee college football game featuring a ranked opponent that has owned them in recent years. One team is coming off an embarrassing conference loss, while the other is looking to take a major step in its program's history. Yes, Oklahoma and Kansas State did battle in Manhattan, Kansas and as usual Oklahoma killed 'em.

What? You thought I was talking about WVU v. Rutgers? Please, there hasn't been a marquee Big East game since '07. Also, people living in Manhattan couldn't care less about Rutgers. They are too busy walking around in skinny jeans and buying frappe latte smoothies that include some fancy berry I don't think actually exists.

I think that was pretty clever what I did right there. I tricked you fools into thinking I was talking about Saturday's game at Rutgers. I wish our defense would come up with something clever like that to stop opposing teams from scoring so much. Oh well, maybe this Saturday they will have more luck.

Overall: B-
We played well based on the conditions and emotion of the game. Eric LeGrand leading Rutgers on the field was an emotional boost for them. It helped them come out like gang busters and they play great football in the first half. Luckily for us our offense and defense kicked into gear.

I'm still concerned about our lack of ability to put together a complete game. It is frustrating to sit and watch us struggle for so long. My heart can't take much more of this roller coaster ride.

Offense: B
We were "solid" all game. It is weird calling a team that puts up 41 points solid and not great. However, I'm totally jaded and want to see fireworks and quick scores like the Tavon Austin 80 yard TD run on every play. Is that so much to ask?

Geno Smith: C
I hope Geno's touchdown run is the catalyst for him to get back his confidence. He looked lost out there at times and threw some terrible balls. I don't know what has gotten into him recently, but he needs to continue to improve. He has stayed at the same level as his freshmen year, luckily that level is pretty damn good.

Tavon Austin: A
The cold and snow had little to no effect on his speed and cutting ability. He flew past the defense on two long touchdowns. The scary part about our offense is that he may be the second best receiver behind Stedman Bailey.

Defense: C+
Luckily in the second half we remembered tackling and covering receivers helps stop them from scoring touchdowns. It is a mystery to me how Syracuse and Rutgers put up so many points on us. From Casteel's comments after the game and earlier this week, he seems at a loss on why the defense is performing so poorly too. We could be in for some tight games the rest of the way if our defense does not step up their game.

Special Teams: B
The punting by Molinari was amazing and helped our defense out a lot by putting them inside the 20 yard line four times. Kick-off coverage was again shaky and Bitancurt can't miss any more extra points. Hopefully, this is the only year that the ghost of Bill Stewart will haunt our special teams.

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Comments

Gotta give an A for heart

So much stacked against them with LeGrand leading RU out, and the weather, being down by ten at half, etc. It showed a lot of heart. an that was something fans were really disappointed with after the SU game.

by JohnRadcliff on Nov 2, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

I have to agree with you, John....

They looked like a different team after half-time. One with the will to win ball games.

"Oh, to sail away, To sandy lands and other days"
Achilles' Last Stand, Led Zeppelin

by MtnEer_in_SC on Nov 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Food ForThought

Disappointment set in during the Syracuse loss, and I wondered where the Mounties football team was headed…..After the 10 point win in the slush at Rutgers, I was still puzzled at what had happened the previous week in northern NY. Then, during the Steelers/Patriots game, a light finally shined on why the Mounties didn’t fair too well in NY. Bill Belichick, the coach of the Pats stated that in the previous weeks in the NFL, teams coming off a bye week were a dismal 3-10…ouch, and now that stat is 3-11. Not to make excuses, but the stats prove that after a bye week, even the pros cannot keep their intensity.

by wolfdog on Nov 2, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Skinny jeans and frappe latte smoothies...

…those usually prevent me from scoring. Maybe we should try them for opposing offenses?

www.smokingmusket.com
@CountryRoadsWV

by Country Roads on Nov 2, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I can see how that would work....

"Oh, to sail away, To sandy lands and other days"
Achilles' Last Stand, Led Zeppelin

by MtnEer_in_SC on Nov 2, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

my eyes my eyes!

" Lord Stanley, scratch their names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Nov 2, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

We are really young on defense

I mean we did graduate/lost 6 guys to the NFL. Including the man that made the defense work Chris Nield, you have to have a guy at the NT position that can hold up at the POA and he did that at a very, very high level. To me that is why the defense seems like it’s having a down year.

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"I got the machine gun blues" Social D
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Nov 2, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

have to agree

by WVUIE97 on Nov 2, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup

Was talking with a friend about that very same thing last night. It would be nice to get Wright working with the DT rotation and Shaq full time in the middle. Maybe get Wright and Miller at the tackle spots on first down. Bring Bruce in for 2nd and long and 3rd downs.

by JohnRadcliff on Nov 2, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

We are inexperienced on defense, not young.

Irvin, Bruce, Goode, Smith and Tandy are all seniors. Jorge Wright, Terrance Garvin, and Pat Miller are juniors. That leaves just 3 underclassmen starting on defense.

by The 25314 on Nov 2, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

the statement

still applies….Casteel’s 3-3-5 works best when manned by experienced players

by WVUIE97 on Nov 2, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

and you still need a guy clogging the middle that opens up space for the rest of the defense to work

by WVPiratesfan on Nov 2, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it works best when manned by talented players.

by The 25314 on Nov 3, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Ater 8 games

inexperience is not a good excuse, talent level or inability to learn from past mistakes may be.

by OG&B on Nov 2, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

This ^

After 8 games I would like to see improvement, not regression.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

by dubveeyou on Nov 2, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's talk about what we do have...

Rather than what we had last year. Some times I wonder what Pat Miller is thinking. Every game I see him making too many mistakes. Is his back-up even worse than he is?

by Shep Shepherd on Nov 2, 2011 4:40 PM EDT reply actions