Post-Game Notes

MSNsportsNET.com
October 21, 2004

UPDATED STATS

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Post-game notes following West Virginia’s 27-6 victory over Syracuse Thursday night at Milan Puskar Stadium:


	Rasheed Marshall is now third in total offense at West Virginia with 6,324 yards. AP photo

West Virginia game captains against Syracuse were Tim Brown, Scott Gyorko, Scott Fleming and Eddie Jackson. Coach Rich Rodriguez selects game captains each week. Team captains will be elected at the end of the season.

There were no first-time starters for West Virginia against Syracuse. Thirty-eight different Mountaineers have made at least one start for WVU.

When Mike Lorello blocked Syracuse’s field goal attempt, it was the first time the Mountaineers blocked a field goal since James Davis did against Boston College on November 9, 2002. Davis blocked two field goals in that contest.

Chris Henry’s two TD catches were the eighth and ninth of the season and 18th and 19th of his career. Henry moves into a tie for second place in career touchdown receptions at WVU, passing Reggie Rembert (1988-89) and David Saunders (1995-98), who had 18 career touchdown receptions, and tying Khori Ivy. Cedric Thomas (1976-80) is WVU’s all-time leader with 23.

The multiple touchdown game for Henry was the fifth of his career. Henry’s career pass catching totals now show 76 receptions for 1,534 yards and 19 touchdowns.

When Thandi Smith blocked Syracuse’s punt in the first quarter, it was the first time the Mountaineers blocked a punt since Jerry White did that against UCF last season.

West Virginia held a 10-0 lead after the first quarter. The Mountaineers have now outscored their opponents 52-9 in the first quarter. WVU led 17-0 at halftime, outscoring its opponent 125-41 in the first half this season.

The Mountaineers have scored first in every game this season except the Virginia Tech contest.

With a nine-yard run in the second quarter, Rasheed Marshall became the all-time BIG EAST leader in quarterback rushing, passing Syracuse’s Donovan McNabb who had 1,561 rushing yards. Marshall now shows 1,607 rushing yards for his career. Virginia Tech’s Michael Vick is third on the all-time list with 1,197 career rushing yards.

Rasheed Marshall moved into a tie for second place in career touchdowns responsible for at WVU with 59. Ira Errett Rodgers (1915-19) is WVU’s all-time leader with 66.

Marshall moved into third place all-time at WVU in career total offense, moving past Oliver Luck, who had 6,282 total offense yards. Marshall now shows 6,324 for his career. His career passing totals are: 364 of 679 for 4,719 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Jason Colson rushed for a career-high 113 yards marking the second consecutive game and third time this season that he has surpassed the century mark. It also was his fourth career 100-yard performance and marked his second consecutive game in which he rushed for a career high (111 vs. Connecticut last week.)

West Virginia’s 13-play, 57-yard drive in 5:57 during the third quarter was WVU’s longest drive of the year by time. The result was a 26-yard field goal by Brad Cooper.

Thursday’s victory over Syracuse represented West Virginia’s first win this season without producing a rushing touchdown and the first time that has happened since the Mountaineers defeated Boston College 35-28 in Chestnut Hill last season.

Charles Hales’ 22-yard touchdown reception was his first career receiving touchdown. He has also thrown for five career touchdowns.

West Virginia’s three sacks Thursday night were half the total produced by the defense entering tonight’s game (six). The Mountaineers now have nine sacks for the season.

Syracuse held a 73-62 advantage in total plays. It is the fifth time this season West Virginia’s opponent has run more plays during a game. Only twice (James Madison and Maryland) has West Virginia held an advantage in total plays during a game this year. Overall, opponents hold a 509-474 advantage in offensive plays.

West Virginia’s rushing attack this year has been its most balanced under Rich Rodriguez with three players each having more than 90 carries so far this season. Kay-Jay Harris has the most carries with 98, followed by Jason Colson’s 97 rushing attempts and Rasheed Marshall’s 91 tries.

West Virginia’s 60 penalty yards Thursday night against Syracuse matched the Maryland performance as the second-lowest this season. The Mountaineers’ least cited outing this season came against James Madison when they were only whistled five times for 51 yards. West Virginia came into the Syracuse game leading the nation in penalty yards.

West Virginia is now 14-2 in BIG EAST action over the last two and half seasons and has won eight consecutive conference contests dating back to a 22-20 loss at Miami last year.

WVU has now won nine straight home games. The Mountaineer record for most consecutive home victories is 14 set from 1924-26.

WVU has won three consecutive games against Syracuse marking the first time the Mountaineers have won three games in a row against the Orange since 1972-74. In the last three games against the Orange, WVU won 27-6 tonight, 34-23 last year in Syracuse and 34-7 in Morgantown in 2002. WVU defeated Syracuse 39-11 in 1974, 24-14 in 1973 and 43-12 in 1972.

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