NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Don Nehlen
142-88-4, 20 years
195-123-8, 29 years overall
1999 Record: 4-7
Sep 04 @East Carolina Lost 23-30
Sep 11 Miami (OH) Won 43-27
Sep 18 @Maryland Lost 0-33
Sep 25 @Syracuse Lost 7-30
Oct 02 Navy Lost 28-31
Oct 16 Rutgers Won 62-16
Oct 23 Temple Won 20-17
Oct 30 @Miami (FL) Lost 20-28
Nov 06 Virginia Tech Lost 20-22
Nov 13 @Boston College Lost 17-34
Nov 27 Pittsburgh Won 52-21
1999 Final Rankings
AP-NR,  BCS-NR,  Coaches-NR
2000 Outlook

The golden key for 2000 will be a much needed improvement on the defensive side of the ball. And that is no easy chore as seven starters depart from last seasons disappointmenting efforts. If the Mountaineers do not learn to tackle better it could be another long season. On the other side WVU will put points on the board with a stellar offensive line leading the way for Avon Cobourne and some of the leagues best set of receivers in Brown and Ivy. Although quarterback Marc Bulger heads to the NFL, fans are hoping that Brad Lewis and promising freshman Scott McBrien can lead the team as the running situation will take some of the pressure of of them. Possibly look for a two-headed QB system next fall which Coach Nehlen feels may be on the plus side. Fans will be treated to one of the best home schedules to date as seven teams come into Mountaineer Field for 2000 including rivals and power hitters Maryland, Miami, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and ECU. In other words, Coach Don Nehlen gets his 200th career victory, but it ain't gonna be easy.
Projected Record: 6-5

West Virginia 2000 Schedule

WEST VIRGINIA
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 2 DL - 1.5
RB - 3.5 LB - 3
WR - 4 DB - 1
OL - 4  

 


WEST VIRGINIA
MOUNTAINEERS
2000 FOOTBALL PREVIEW


Coverage of Mountaineer Sports

2000 OFFENSE
Strengths: The offensive line and running game appear strong as the OL could be the strongest segment on the field. Numerous starters return all across the front. Highly regarded Michigan transfer Jason Brooks will step in at guard as senior bossman Rick Gilliam moves to the center positon after feeding opponents plenty of dry pancakes in 1999. In addition, there are plenty of talented youngsters that will give the line depth to boot as WVU has not seen that many quality players in a while. The Big East rushing champ, sophmore Avon Cobourne, returns at tailback where he ran for 1,139 yards last season, a WVU freshman rushing record, earning him Sporting News Rookie All-American honors. The best news in Morgantown is that senior Khori Ivy has been granted an extra year by the NCAA giving the Mountaineers a solid set of receivers including Antonio Brown. Both Ivy and Brown were the top two dogs in '99 accounting for 103 receptions and six touchdowns.
Weaknesses: Who is going to replace WVU record setter Marc Bulger at QB? It will be a battle between Brad Lewis and freshman Scott McBrien, who has impressed during spring ball. Lewis will come in as the starter due to more experience as he filled in last year during a stretch for an injured Bulger and threw for 726 yards and 8 TD's giving Virginia Tech one heckuva scare. The loss of tight end Anthony Becht hurts and it will be key to find quality depth at that spot due to the fact that there are hardly any fullbacks at West Virginia for 2000 creating a new H-back wrinkle to the offense. Look for some two tight end sets and different formations from Coach Nehlen this fall because of it. A new offensive coordinator takes over in Coach Bill Legg. Injuries have plagued the Mounties with young center Tim Brown (broken foot), H-back Brad Cusick (knee), tackle Tanner Russell (shoulder surgery) sitting out spring drills. Most costly is the loss of back up tailback Quincy Wilson who could be out for next season as he seriously injured a knee in the Blue and Gold spring game. Gone is senior kicker Jay Taylor who led the conference in field goal percentage last year as that duty is now wide open.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Brad Lewis 6-3 225 Jr. Scott McBrien 6-2 185 Fr.
TB Avon Cobourne 5-8 190 So. Cooper Rego 5-9 198 Jr.
HB Brad Cusick 6-4 245 So.   Tory Johnson 6-3 240 Fr.
WR Khori Ivy 6-2 190 Sr.   Phil Braxton 6-2 200 Jr.
WR Antonio Brown 5-10 170 Jr.   Shawn Terry 6-3 180 Jr.
T Matt Wilson 6-5 295 Sr.   Greg Miltleider 6-4 300 Fr.
G Wes Ours 6-1 280 Sr.   Terry Dixon 6-3 320 Sr.
C Rick Gilliam 6-6 325 Sr.   Mike Enick 6-4 290 Sr.
G Jason Brooks 6-4 290 Jr.   Jeremy Sherman 6-6 310 Jr.
T Tanner Russell 6-8 310 Sr.   Brad Knell 6-5 290 Jr.
TE Sean Berton 6-5 235 So.   Steve Terlesky 6-4 260 So.
K Brendan Rauh 5-9 185 Jr.   John Ohliger 6-0 215 Sr.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Marc Bulger-QB, John Conte-C, Anthony Becht-TE, Anthony Green-FB,
Jerry Porter-WR, Jay Taylor-K


2000 DEFENSE
Strengths: The middle of the defense has some talent at the linebacker set. West Virginia's top big play defender and two year starter Chris Edmonds returns after recording six sacks in '99. Edmonds will be moved back to the rush linebacker spot to try and add a much needed pass rush for 2000. Joining him will be the teams second leading tackler Kyle Kaden who finished with 81 of them from the middle linebacker slot a year ago. Keep an eye on young freshman Grant Wiley as he shows plenty of promise for the future after putting on a dazzling display of big hits during the spring.. On the line senior Antwan Lake will be moved to tackle to try and add some leadership up front. In the backfield safety Ricky Sherrod will be a key as he tries to fulfill the promise coaches feel he had since coming to West Virginia. In the field position department punter Mike Fazzolari will keep opponents on the other side of the field as he was 2nd Team All Big East as a freshman in 1999 with a 41.5 yard average.

Weaknesses: The whole entire defense for 2000 has plenty of question marks. Gone are seven starters from a senior- laden 1999 team that gave up 26.3 points a game, 410 yards per game, with 192 of it coming on the ground. Coach Nehlen has stressed the emphasis on poor tackling and a lack of physical play. Making matters worse is that big time recruit Osa Nosa has been suspended indefinately from the team forcing some undersized guys to step on the the defensive line. It will be key for some of the interior lineman to hit the weight room and put some bulk in the trenches for next season. Mark Thurston has been moved to DE allowing Edmonds to try and create more action from the rush linebacker spot. The defensive backfield lost every single starter and then some, although there are still plenty of numbers for the Mountaineers coaching staff to work with. Team leading tackler Barrett Green has departed and will be missed big time and it will be crucial that someone takes up the slack.

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Jason Davis 6-5 280 So. Mark Thurston 6-3 255 Jr.
DT Antwan Lake 6-5 275 Sr. Shannon Washington 6-5 245 Jr.
NT David Upchurch 6-4 260 So.   William Perry 6-2 300 So.
RLB Chris Edmonds 6-3 240 Sr.   Jamien Harvey 6-4 240 Jr.
SLB David Carter 6-2 230 Sr.   James Davis 6-2 210 So.
MLB Kyle Kaden 6-3 235 Jr.   Corey McIntyre 6-0 235 Sr.
WLB Grant Wiley 6-1 212 Fr.   Ben Collins 5-10 200 So.
CB Lewis Daniels 6-1 190 So.   Brian King 6-0 185 Fr.
CB Richard Bryant 6-0 175 Jr.   Lance Frazier 5-9 180 Fr.
SS Shawn Hackett 6-1 190 Jr.   Jerry Jerido 5-10 190 Sr.
FS Rick Sherrod 6-3 190 Jr.   Ben Meighan 6-2 200 So.
P Mark Fazzolari 6-0 185 So.   Zach Anglin 6-0 195 Jr.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Barrett Green-LB, Ryan Brady-DL, Greg Robinette-DL, Perlo Bastien-DB,
Scooter Davis-DB, Boo Sensabaugh-DB, Nate Terry-DB, Gary Thompkins-DB