Continental Tire Bowl
December 08, 2002 05:01 PM | General
2002 Game Preview
 |
|
| Quick Facts
Official web site: Link
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002 Time: 11 AM (ET) Location: Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. Teams: West Virginia (Big East) vs. Virginia (ACC) Title Sponsor: Continental Tire North America Television: ESPN2 Ticket Information: There are less than 1,000 tickets remaining for the game. |
|
By Shelly Poe for MSNsportsNET.com
December 8, 2002
A matchup of two surprisingly successful conference runners-up highlights the first Continental Tire Bowl, where West Virginia (9-3/6-1 in BIG EAST play) faces the Virginia Cavaliers (8-5/6-2 in ACC action) on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002.
This bowl contest will kickoff at 11 a.m. at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, the beautiful home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, and will be televised by ESPN2.
The Mountaineers, who rank as the nation's second most potent rushing attack at 286.9 yards per game, will seek to exploit that explosiveness again, using a triple‑threat that includes WVU and BIG EAST career rushing leader Avon Cobourne (1,593 yards, 15 TD this season), junior Quincy Wilson (863 yards, 6 TD) and versatile quarterback Rasheed Marshall (618 yards, 12 TD) running behind a veteran offensive line.
The Mountaineer defense, retooled this season under new coordinators Jeff Casteel and Todd Graham, has been an aggressive, intense unit much improved especially in stopping the run. Ranked 28th nationally in total defense, the hallmarks of this senior‑led charge have been forced turnovers, hard hits and big plays when the game was on the line.
In Rich Rodriguez' second season as head coach at his alma mater, the fortunes have reversed from 3‑8 to 9‑3. The Mountaineers finished second to only defending champion Miami in BIG EAST play and the always fervent West Virginia fans are infused with new enthusiasm.
Virginia has had a similar climb. Picked during the preseason to finish eighth in the ACC standings, the Cavaliers lost their first two games, but put together a six‑game win streak at midseason and upset wins over North Carolina State (14‑9) and Maryland (48‑13) to close their conference slate, finishing 8‑5 with a 6‑2 ACC mark good for second in the league standings.
Junior quarterback Matt Schaub, who earned ACC Offensive and Player of the Year honors for the 2002 campaign, leads the Cavaliers’ potent aerial attack.
The first-team all‑ACC quarterback is the ACC's leading passer and has set eight single‑season UVa records. Schaub leads the ACC with 27 touchdown passes and a 68.7 percent completion rate. His 2,794 yards passing and 2,850 yards of total offense are Virginia school records. He ranks ninth in the NCAA in passing efficiency.
Schaub's favorite target has been senior Billy McMullen, a two‑time all‑ACC receiver who caught 68 passes for 886 yards and three scores this season. Freshman tight end Heath Miller has caught nine TD passes in an offense that saw nine different targets total more than 100 yards receiving this year.
Virginia's top rusher is Wali Lundy, who gained 699 yards and four scores this season. Senior tackle Mike Mullins leads a young offensive line.
Second‑year coach Al Groh, the ACC Coach of the Year, takes pride in his defense as well, led by all‑conference inside linebacker Angelo Crowell, who accounted for 140 tackles this season. Safety Jerton Evans, defensive end Chris Canty, cornerback Almondo Curry and outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock earned all‑conference mention as well.
Team Information
|
|
|
|
West Virginia Overall Statistics |
Virginia Overall Statistics |
|
West Virginia Roster |
Virginia Roster |
|
West Virginia Results |
Virginia Results |
Bowl Schedule of Events
Bowl Events
Saturday, Dec. 21
- Holiday Party -- Wachovia Atrium (6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 25
- Teams arrive
Thursday, Dec. 26
- Team functions (not open to public)
Friday, Dec. 27
- Alumni reception at the WVU Fan Center sponsored by United Bank, Coca Cola and Verizon
- Academic Awards Luncheon -- Marriott Center City (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)
- Media Day Press Conference -- Marriott Center City (1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
- Uptown Pep Rally on the Square -- Trade and Tryon Streets (5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.)
- Uptown Progressive Party -- Uptown (6:30 p.m.-Midnight)
Saturday, Dec. 28
- Tailgate Party at Ericsson Stadium (9 a.m.)
- Continental Tire Bowl kickoff (11 a.m.)
