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DB
Jahmile Addae (PHOTO: Bill Amatucci) |
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2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Rich Rodriguez
28-21,
4 years |
2004
Record: 8-4 |
|
|
EAST
CAROLINA |
WON
56-23 |
at
UCF |
WON
45-20 |
MARYLAND |
WON
19-16 |
JAMES
MADISON |
WON
45-10 |
at
Virginia Tech |
LOST
13-19 |
at
Connecticut |
WON
31-19 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
27-6 |
at
Rutgers |
WON
35-30 |
TEMPLE |
WON
42-21 |
BOSTON
COLLEGE |
LOST
17-36 |
at
Pittsburgh |
LOST
13-16 |
GATOR
BOWL |
vs.
Florida State |
LOST
18-30 |
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2004 Final Rankings
AP-30, Coaches-26, BCS-UR
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2005
Outlook |
In
coach Rich Rodriguez's fifth season
at his alma mater, this is one of
his youngest teams. Seventy percent
of the roster remains freshmen or
sophomores. Fortuitously, the incoming
rookies are the most talented of the
five groups Rodriguez and recruiter
Herb Hand have brought to campus.
This well may be the best overall
class (ranked 31st-best nationally)
in the history of this Big East school.
Likewise, this staff, headed by Rodriguez,
is arguably amongst the best in the
country, and they are especially strong
at harvesting talent, thanks to Hand.
With most of the roster (75%) from
other states, you can see how the
constant work they do to build (and
then rebuild) this team annually begins
to pay off if they can keep the players
and this system matched, like they
now do. The flow this way is in place
to win.
The
talent they have amassed, though,
is presently/primarily true freshmen,
redshirt freshmen and sophomores.
Leaders like Lorello, Addae and Mozes
will have to "hold the rope"
(as Rodriguez likes to say) as they
find the proper places for inexperienced
starters and backups. The big question--or
headache--is at QB. Three players,
led by redshirt freshman Pat White,
all give promise to the possibilities
here. A small step back from the conference's
all-time leading rushing QB (Marshall),
any of the candidates will (eventually)
get this offense rolling with speed
(except Bednarik) and arm strength.
They will run the ball more than ever,
looking to open the field and ignite
the efficiency aspect of the passing
game (more than its ability to gain
sheer yards; WVU was 22nd in pass
efficiency compared to 104th in total
passing), and by midseason, the complexities
of Rodriguez' offensive madness will
surface.
WVU's
schedule will feature Maryland, Louisville
and Virginia Tech, with the season-ending
"Backyard Brawl" (vs. Pitt)
presently scheduled as a determinant
Turkey Day tussle - the winner could
very well be the BCS brat, again.
The way their slate is methodically
stacked, WVU's scheduling sequence
basically alternates home and road
games, while - simultaneously, starting
with Syracuse - every other opponent
poses a challenge, and the inbetween
games should all be won. The bottom
line here: four of the last seven,
paced every other week and all likely
to be against top 25 squads, are each
at home. This is favorable, a HUGE
boost for a fledging team. Rodriguez
typically beats those he should and
losses against better foes, and with
so much to accomplish just to stay
above water (.500), we don't see wins
being the true measurement of how
far this club goes. They will finish
strong, with surprise accolades coming
for their offensive maturity. For
being so young, most will then point
to the bright future that the pains
of this year will eventually produce.
So, take heed, Mountaineer fans, for
another era of (even more) promise
is about to emerge on University Avenue,
there along the Monongahela, you'll
see...
Projected
2005 record: 7-4
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WEST
VIRGINIA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 2 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 4 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Dwane Thompson, 1-0-0, 0 yds., 0 TD
Rushing: Jason Colson, 142
att., 706 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Jason Colson, 12
rec., 120 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: Jason Colson, 6 TD,
36 pts.
Punting: Phil Brady, 51 punts,
38.3 avg.
Kicking: Andy Good, 3-3 FG,
0-1 PAT, 9 pts.
Tackles: Mike Lorello, 66 tot.,
50 solo
Sacks: Mike Lorello, Kevin
McLee, Keilen Dykes, Ernest Hunter,
Craig Wilson - 2 each
Interceptions: Dee McCann,
3 for 3 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Brandon Myles,
5 ret., 23.8 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Antonio Lewis,
3 ret., 5.3 avg., 0 TD
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RB
Jason Colson (PHOTO: All-Pro Photography by
Dale Sparks) |
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WEST
VIRGINIA |
|
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OFFENSE
- 5 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Rasheed Marshall-QB, Charles Hales-QB/WR,
Hikee Johnson-FB, Kay-Jay Harris-TB,
Miquelle Henderson-WR, Eddie Jackson-WR,
John Pennington-WR, Ryan Thomas-TE,
Michael Watson-OT, Tim Brown-C, Jeff
Berk-OG, Brad Cooper-K, Chris Henry-WR
(NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Jason
Hardee-DE, Ben Lynch-DT, Adam Lehnortt-MLB,
Scott Gyorko-WLB, Lawrence Audena-BS,
Adam Jones-CB (NFL) |
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Only one quarterback on the Gold and Blue
roster has ever thrown a legitimate pass
in a game. Pat White will be the clubhouse
favorite. He could have signed a $350,000
bonus to go play baseball for the Anaheim
Angels (pitcher/OF), but selected the Mountaineers
over LSU. That is a testament to his dual-threat
prowess. Mr. Football (AL) will make this
position feel only minor bumps. Dwayne Thompson,
whose speed forced coaches to give him reps
somehow, saw action at WR last season. He
will get plenty of snaps in the spring to
battle White, and his quick-release and
speed make him an ideal, seamless replacement
for Marshall. He has a better arm and may
be equally as elusive. Adam Bednarik (second
cousin of two-way NFL Hall of Famer Chuck)
is the biggest and most effective pure passer
of the threesome, but passed up spring ball
recovering from (throwing) shoulder surgery.
If either White or Thompson can be consistent
early, smiles will soon spread over WVU
fan's faces. Marshall was great, but either
of these leading two candidates can eventually
replace him.
Running
Back
Even with the loss of Harris, this is probably
the Mountaineers' deepest position. Ex-sprinter
and long jumper Jason Colson has taken more
snaps, and his size-speed combo makes him
the starter for now. Pernell Williams can
shake and offers the same physical qualities
as Colson, but his hands aren't as soft.
Erick Phillips, if he can come back from
season-ending knee surgery, is a bull and
a natural leader. But the most talked about
running back will miss spring ball, as Parade
all-American Jason Gwaltney will be graduating
from high school. The huge, svelte Gwaltney
has been drawing quick comparisons with
Jim Brown, who was reared just miles away.
Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez and recruiting
coordinator Herb Hand out-dueled Ohio State
and USC to get Gwaltney. SC coach Pete Carroll
even called Gwaltney minutes before the
young stud went on ESPNews the day before
signing day to announce his intentions.
The sleeper of the bunch is another true
freshman who will join the team in the fall--Steve
Slaton. The Mountaineers lack a burner (third
down guy) in their "one-back"
set, but Slaton will remedy that. This team
runs the ball 70%, so watch the reenergized
crew, along with a (set of) quick QB(s),
make WVU's seventh ranked rushing effort
remain just as viable.
Receiver
Chris Henry, one of the best, declared early
for the NFL. Brandon Barrett, big and fast
in his precise route-running skills, is
a Parade all-American who will become eligible
in the fall, if he makes his grades. Darius
Reynaud is an even faster athlete who also
has academic woes. Brandon Myles had starter's
status, but he will have to step back in
to prove his worth. Rayshawn Bolden is 6-5
and well-proportioned, so he becomes indispensable
deep and over the middle. Other players
pepper the roster with similar size, so
this unit is wrought with potential and
is eager to display it. With Henry's temper
and moodiness not affecting this corps anymore
and Thompson's possible inclusion, expect
the right players to emerge and for all
to shine with the QB(s) perched to deliver.
Tight
End
In their one-back set, TEs are also fullbacks
in the Rodriguez offense; from wherever
they line up, they block. In his last two
years at his alma mater, RichRod has thrown
little to this position. Gutsy Josh Bailey
played for two years with a bad shoulder,
but finally had surgery late last season.
He returns to the hybrid position. Brad
Palmer, Mike Villagrana and Justin Dziak
might as well play guard, but each has the
mobility to do the deeds here. Two intriguing
prospects are walk-on Owen Schmitt and 6-foot-6,
300-pound Louis Davis, who should move inside.
He may also end up on defense with his tireless
motor. This unit awaits further route-running
instructions
until then, they'll be
staying home a lot.
Offensive
Line
WVU is known as Running Back U. in the Big
East, and the reason is position coach Rick
Trickett's line. His next NFL prospect is
academic all-star LG Dan Mozes, a big NC.net
third-team all-American who missed the spring
with injuries. His foot work and approach
are superb as he rules the inside. The other
guard, Jeremy Sheffey, is also being held
out. The right tackle is two-year starter
Garin Justice. Trickett thinks John Bradshaw
has the potential to be one of his finest
guards in the years to come. Another young
blocker to watch is Zac Napier, who can
either spell starting center Jeremy Hines,
or move to guard. The possibilities and
potential are mostly under 300lbs., so the
mobility of the QBs can be facilitated well.
Depth here is decent enough for us to believe
that the turnover here is not going to be,
in its worst case scenario, of any detriment
to this side of the ball. Patience in developments
here will pay off by mid-season, so ignore
early results as signals for the campaign's
fate.
OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
At first, the Mountaineers will miss Marshall,
particularly in the opener at the Carrier
Dome. White has made a quick study of Rodriguez's
"Spot the Ball" offense which
often depends on no huddles and much "change-of-pace".
He has speed and more wiggle--the questions
come about his arm and its accuracy. The
majority of Rodriguez' plays are signaled
in from the sideline, so whichever QB plays
still has to decipher the hand signals and
then get the play off, and all without the
help of a huddle. Henry may be addition
by subtraction, but most of the receivers
are green as the Mylan Puskar Stadium Mountaineer
Field turf. The backfield situation is deep
and exciting. As the rookies come along,
Rodriguez will continue to maintain a strong
ground game, particularly with Trickett's
boys up front. The play-calling should be
a bit pedestrian until the entire offense
- not just the QBs - can properly gear up.
Don't expect the clutch to be in long here
- as you see Rodriguez' crazy schemes reinserted,
you'll know then that this side of the ball
has enough of a grasp on things that the
coaches are letting them explore the playbooks
possibilities, a good thing for all WVU
fans to watch for. Also note how much more
balance this offense will attain, something
Marshall never could really spawn with his
streaky throwing and/or marginal decision-making
skills.
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OG
Dan Mozes (PHOTO: Pete Emerson)
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WEST
VIRGINIA 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Pat
White-Fr (6-2, 190) |
Adam
Bednarik-So (6-2, 220)
Dwayne Thompson-So (6-2, 190) |
RB |
Jason
Colson-Jr (6-1, 220) |
Pernell
Williams-So (5-10, 195)
Owen Schmitt-So (6-3, 250) (FB) |
WR |
Rayshawn
Bolden-Jr (6-5, 220) |
Travis
McClintic-Jr (6-0, 175) |
WR |
Vaughn
Rivers-So (5-9, 170) |
Joe
Hunter-Jr (6-1, 205) |
WR |
Brandon
Myles-Sr (6-3, 190) |
Dorrell
Jalloh-Fr (6-0, 190) |
TE |
Josh
Bailey-Sr (6-6, 270) |
Brad
Palmer-Jr (6-3, 255) (HB) |
OT |
Travis
Garrett-Sr (6-6, 305) |
Chris
Bassler-Fr (6-5, 280) |
OG |
Dan
Mozes-Jr (6-4, 280) |
Ryan
Stanchek-Fr (6-4, 285) |
C |
Jeremy
Hines-Jr (6-2, 285) |
Zac
Napier-So (6-4, 280) |
OG |
Jeremy
Sheffey-Jr (6-3, 290) |
John
Bradshaw-Fr (6-6, 290) |
OT |
Garin
Justice-Sr (6-8, 300) |
Jake
Figner-Fr (6-5, 285) |
K |
Pat
McAfee-Fr (6-1, 205) |
Colby
James-So (6-1, 185) |
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2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Rodriguez uses his front conventionally
to enable linebackers to make plays, but
the three down lineman in the Casteel 3-3-5
plug holes effectively, too. The "three-downs"
often catch heck from fans because of their
lack of push, but essentially, the Mountaineer
braintrust likes the variations possible
in their stacked look. The coaches find
recruiting quality back-eight players much
more accomplishable than finding the monsters
it takes to employ a pro-style 4-3. Even
so, annually, Rodriguez and Casteel attempt
to find ways to draw more pressure on the
opponents (26 sacks wasn't enough). Ernest
Hunter is a senior with plenty of experience
at all phases of line play, and sophomore
tackle Keilen Dykes has that quick first
step to be a star in the making. The wild
card is Florida-transfer Johnny Dingle,
who must shake off the rust from his one-year
sabbatical. The scant youth arriving and
also those red-shirted are lean and quick,
so look for interchangeability to allow
shuffling and stunting so optimal affects
can be felt from this brutish force. Allowing
only eight TDs again would be a coup with
the LBs so decimated, but they know how
to bend and not break as a unit, so expect
similar ground-stopping results here.
Linebacker
Big holes exist here, so watch LB play to
gauge this entire D. Boo McLee is an explosive
player who teams with Jeff Noechel to rule
the strong side. Ex-RB McLee has uncanny
versatility for his huge size, while state
wrestling (215 lbs.) as well as egg-eating
champ (Mountaineer Olympics) Noechel is
super tough in all phases, too. Jay Henry
is a heady guy with enough experience to
not be suckered - he has held the weakside
down well when needed. Marc Magro likely
will replace Lehnortt, but his feet aren't
nearly big enough yet to fill those huge
shoes. A strength-and-conditioning-room
lifer, Magro has the body of an Adonis,
but is smart too. He has the intangibles
in the locker room just like his predecessor,
but has yet to deliver in the "big
play" way (no TFLs, sacks, INTs, or
passes broken up in '04). The brightest
light could be that of Mortty Ivy, a former
high-school quarterback with superb quickness
and range to go with his crafty instincts.
West Virginia recruited a passel of linebackers
in the incoming freshman class and at least
one of them (rangy Zac Cooper) will get
an early look. Depth is decent, but the
leadership and swagger of Lehnortt will
be hard to mimic, so we'll see just how
thin this corps can be spread and still
be effective. The speed here says they will
drop back well, but need to learn each others
habits before their swarming can be truly
effective.
Defensive
Back
The game may be over for Pac Man, but there
is still starting experience at CB, and
some young pups in the waiting. But pound-for-pound,
Jones was one of the finest football players
ever to grace Mountaineer Field and won't
be easily replaced. Anthony Mims, who plays
the other corner, brings experience to his
post. After several early season mis-steps,
he was consistent for the remainder of the
year. Dee McCann, who played considerably
well as a dime guy (three INTs and two forced
fumbles), will get first crack at Jones'
old post. Depth is speedy and ready with
four other semi-experienced CBs waiting
their turns. WVU has two safeties who can
line up like linebackers or drop deep into
pass coverage. Sometimes they do both on
the same play. Maybe the most exciting defensive
player in the Big East will be one of these--senior
Mike Lorello, who has started every year
he has been a Mountaineer. Lorello is smallish,
but his heart gets him to the ball and earns
him an amazingly productive and balanced
stat line. The other "hybrid-type"
should come from either Ridwan Malik and/or
Eric Wicks, both of whom can hold their
own in the open field (coverage and tackling)
The free safety, Jahmile Addae, is a first-team
all-Big East selection able to follow a
play and make his all-around efforts optimally
pay off. The three big seniors will again
lead this experienced secondary to a solid
stature, and run-stopping will not suffer
due to too many small DBs.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Lorello is the leader of the bunch which
returns six starters. D-coordinator Casteel
will try to again improve his group's effort(s)
(went from 74th-ranked total defense to
37th), and with the way the experienced
is stacked, he should rank about the same
with this back-heavy bunch. Fans usually
look at West Virginia's two-deeps and are
concerned about overall athleticism, and
this depth chart is no different. Yet Casteel
and his ascending crew most often get the
job done with solid team aspects to the
play here. The 3-3-5 uses deception (this
group again has versatility from top to
bottom) rather than one-on-one strength
to get the job done. Most seasons, the leading
tacklers for the Mountaineers are either
the 'backers or the hybrid linebacker-safeties
Casteel calls "spurs" and "bandits."
Until more raw talent is available and/or
opposing offenses figure it out, this quietly
effective system will remain in place. A
decent scoring defense (allowed 20.5 per
contest), WVU allowed for the season a combined
83 points in the fourth quarter, more than
twice as many as they allowed in the first
(40), so the marginal nature of this unit
to slowly regress as a game wears on has
to be stemmed. Leadership may be gone, but
raw talent and potential are darn close
to what they just were, so adjustments and
shifts will ultimately equal close to, if
not as good of a performance as 2004's.
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DB
Mike Lorello (PHOTO: All-Pro Photography
by WVU)
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WEST
VIRGINIA 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Keilen
Dykes-So (6-4, 295) |
Johnny
Dingle-So (6-3, 250) |
NT |
Ernest
Hunter-Sr (6-4, 295) |
Pat
Liebig-So (6-4, 295) |
DT |
Craig
Nelson-Jr (6-1, 295) |
Andrae
Wright-So (6-5, 280) |
SLB |
Jeff
Noechel-Sr (6-3, 230) |
Bobby
Hathaway-So (6-1, 230) |
MLB |
Jay
Henry-Jr (6-2, 225) |
Marc
Magro-So (6-2, 240) |
WLB |
Kevin
McLee-Jr (6-1, 245) |
Mortty
Ivy-Fr (6-3, 230) |
CB |
Dee
McCann-Sr (5-11, 200) |
Antonio
Lewis-So (5-10, 190) |
CB |
Anthony
Mims-Sr (6-0, 190) |
Larry
Williams-So (6-1, 190) |
SS |
Eric
Wicks-Jr (6-1, 215) |
Akeem
Jackson-Jr (6-0, 190) |
FS |
Jahmile
Addae-Sr (6-0, 205) |
Abraham
Jones-Jr (6-1, 195) |
BS |
Mike
Lorello-Sr (6-1, 200) |
Ridwan
Malik-So (6-1, 195) |
P |
Phil
Brady-Sr (5-9, 185) |
Scott
Kozlowski-Fr (6-0, 190) |
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2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
The kicking game was a shambles in 2004. Rodriguez
recruited a placements guy and a punter for the
incoming class, and both may start. Andy Good
came on late in the season to hit three straight
field goals. He will have the job in the spring,
but Rodriguez and company went out this winter
and signed arguably two of the best kicking prospects
in the country. A true frosh, Pat McAfee won the
2005 "One on One" kicking competition
in Miami with a 65 yarder. Stellar kick coverage
will only continue with so many eager LBs and
DBs trying to get reps. What WVU must remedy is
the three FGAs blocked.
Punter
Phil Brady, who led the Mountaineers to the 92nd-ranked
net punting results, will be contested by newcomer
Scott Kozlowski (also can play at PK). Like his
sidewinding partner McAfee, Koz was crowned a
"One on One" champ, too. Veteran starting
snapper Scott Fleming must be replaced, so we'll
see if the "having kicks blocked" bug
is caught over here instead. Punt distances and
fundamental coverage will improve.
Return
Game
West Virginia's is virtually wiped out here with
the departures (Jones and Harris). Brandon Myles
could help with kick returns and Vaughn Rivers
has done some punt returning. Look for one of
the incoming freshman like Slaton or Jetavious
Best to help shore up this area. WVU recruited
burners in February, but eligibility issues cloud
the immediate future of this dimension.
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