The Orange defense will look to stop West Virginia's potent ground attack
Countdown to Kickoff: Orange Takes On Defending BIG EAST Champs
8/21/2006 8:57:05 AM | Football
GAME 7: at West Virginia
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, W.V.
| ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA ... |
| Location: Morgantown, W. Va. |
| Enrollment: 26,051 |
| Nickname: Mountaineers |
| Colors: Old Gold & Blue |
| Conference: BIG EAST |
| Stadium (Capacity): Mountaineer Field at Mylan Puskar Stadium (60,000) |
| Athletics Director: Ed Pastilong |
| Starters Returning/Lost: 15/9 |
| Lettermen Returning/Lost: 49/17 |
|
Check it out ... CSI: Morgantown
West Virginia has one of the few forensic science programs in the nation.
NFL Mountaineers
Anthony Becht, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rich Braham, C, Cincinnati Bengals
Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis Rams
Mike Vanderjagt, K, Dallas Cowboys
Rasheed Marshall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Pacman Jones, CB, Tennessee Titans
Chris Henry, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Tim Brown, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
James Davis, LB, Detroit Lions
Mike Logan, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland Raiders
Todd Sauerbrun, P, Denver Broncos
Antwan Lake, DE, Atlanta Falcons
John Thornton, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Barrett Green, LB, Houston Texans
John Browning, DT, Kansas City Chiefs |
The Orange head to Morgantown on October 14 to face the defending BIG EAST Champion West Virginia Mountaineers. Syracuse has lost the last four meetings with West Virginia, but leads the all-time series 30-23. The Mountaineers were picked to win the BIG EAST title in the preseason media poll and were selected fifth in the AP preseason poll and seventh in the preseason USA TODAY coaches’ poll.
In 12 days, Syracuse will take the field. Visit suathletics.com regularly for 'Countdown to Kickoff' to get an inside look at the 2006 season as the excitement builds. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). To purchase tickets via the internet, click here.
Studying the Mountaineers
Head Coach
Rich Rodriguez is entering his sixth season at his alma mater, where he has compiled a record of 39-22 and appeared in four-consecutive bowl games. In 2005, Rodriguez won his second BIG EAST Coach of the Year award in three years. Rodriguez was a three-time letter winner for the Mountaineers at defensive back (1982-84).
2005 Record
11-1 / 7-0 BIG EAST (1st Place)
2006 Mountaineers
OFFENSE
The key to West Virginia’s offense is the ground attack, led by a pair of sophomores: quarterback Patrick White and running back Steve Slaton. White rushed for a BIG EAST-record 952 yards in 2005 with seven touchdowns. He gained over 100 yards in four games, including a BIG EAST-record 220 against Pittsburgh. White also completed 65 passes for 828 yards and eight scores. Slaton (below) rushed for 1,128 yards and 19 
touchdowns as a true freshman. He was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, second-team all-conference, and a freshman All-America. In the Sugar Bowl, he gained a record 204 yards and was named the game’s MVP. Junior fullback Owen Schmitt rushed for 380 yards and two touchdowns. The Mountaineers have led the BIG EAST in rushing each of the last four seasons and allowed the fewest sacks in the BIG EAST in 2005. They return three starters on the offensive line, including senior All-American center Dan Mozes. The Mountaineers return their top-five catchers, led by senior wide receiver Brandon Myles, who had 34 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns in 2005
touchdowns as a true freshman. He was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, second-team all-conference, and a freshman All-America. In the Sugar Bowl, he gained a record 204 yards and was named the game’s MVP. Junior fullback Owen Schmitt rushed for 380 yards and two touchdowns. The Mountaineers have led the BIG EAST in rushing each of the last four seasons and allowed the fewest sacks in the BIG EAST in 2005. They return three starters on the offensive line, including senior All-American center Dan Mozes. The Mountaineers return their top-five catchers, led by senior wide receiver Brandon Myles, who had 34 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns in 2005DEFENSE
The Mountaineers return the entire core of their defensive line and 
linebackers that ranked 19th in the nation against the run a year ago. Four secondary members who accounted for 11 interceptions last season are now in the NFL. Senior linebacker Kevin McLee was second on the team with 78 tackles last season and a first-team All-BIG EAST honoree. Junior defensive lineman Keilan Dykes led West Virginia with five sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2005. Senior safety Eric Wicks (right) is the most experienced returning member of the secondary. Wicks was third on the team with 61 tackles, forced four fumbles and was an All-BIG EAST second team member.
linebackers that ranked 19th in the nation against the run a year ago. Four secondary members who accounted for 11 interceptions last season are now in the NFL. Senior linebacker Kevin McLee was second on the team with 78 tackles last season and a first-team All-BIG EAST honoree. Junior defensive lineman Keilan Dykes led West Virginia with five sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2005. Senior safety Eric Wicks (right) is the most experienced returning member of the secondary. Wicks was third on the team with 61 tackles, forced four fumbles and was an All-BIG EAST second team member.2005 Review
The Mountaineers opened the 2005 campaign with wins over Syracuse, Wofford, Maryland and East Carolina before suffering their only loss of the season to Virginia Tech. After that, they stormed through the remainder of the BIG EAST schedule, winning seven games in a row. After a 46-44 triple-overtime win against 19th-ranked Louisville, the Mountaineers were ranked 20th in both national polls. They continued to climb each week, reaching #11 at the end of the regular season. West Virginia completed the school’s first-ever undefeated conference record and won its first-ever outright BIG EAST title. The Mountaineers defeated eighth-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, 38-35, and clinched the third 11-win season in school history. West Virginia was ranked fifth in the final AP poll and sixth in the USA Today poll. The Mountaineers ranked fourth in the nation in rushing offense and 15th in total defense.
2006 Schedule
| 9/2 | MARSHALL |
| 9/9 | EASTERN WASHINGTON |
| 9/14 | MARYLAND |
| 9/23 | at East Carolina |
| 10/7 | at Mississippi State |
| 10/14 | SYRACUSE |
| 10/20 | at Connecticut |
| 11/2 | at Louisville |
| 11/11 | CINCINNATI |
| 11/16 | at Pittsburgh |
| 11/25 | SOUTH FLORIDA |
Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU - ACC 1st Round
Tuesday, March 10
Highlights | Syracuse vs. SMU - ACC 1st Round
Tuesday, March 10
Stanchion to Stanchion | Kiyan Anthony
Monday, March 09
Adrian Autry postgame vs. Pittsburgh
Sunday, March 08
