Connecticut Notes
November 02, 2008 09:59 AM | General
November 2, 2008
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Postgame notes following West Virginia's 35-13 victory over Connecticut Saturday afternoon at Rentschler Field:
The Captains: Today’s game captains were: senior center Mike Dent, senior wide receiver Tito Gonzales, senior defensive lineman Doug Slavonic and senior corner back Ellis Lankster Coach Bill Stewart will select game captains each week. Team captains will be elected at the end of the regular season.
For Starters: There were no first time starters for the Mountaineers against the Huskies. A total of 37 Mountaineers have at least one game of starting experience. Tops on that list are senior offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek (42), senior quarterback Pat White (37), junior offensive lineman Greg Isdaner (33) and senior offensive lineman Jake Figner (33). All of Stanchek and Isdaner’s starts are consecutive.
White’s Rushing Touchdowns: Patrick White’s 24-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter and his 36-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth-quarter marked his third and fourth rushing touchdowns on the season and the 42nd and 43rd of his career, moving him into sole possession of second place on WVU’s career rushing touchdown list passing Ira Errett Rodgers (1915-19) and Avon Cobourne (1999-2002).
It was White’s 31st and 32nd rushing touchdowns in his last 27 games.
White’s rushing touchdowns and his passing touchdown to Jock Sanders in the third quarter marked his 89th, 90th and 91st career touchdowns responsible for, moving him into sole possession of second place on the BIG EAST charts. Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb (1995-98) is the BIG EAST leader in the category with 96.
Rodgers’ Kickoff Return: Mark Rodgers’ 44 kickoff return in the second half marked a season-high the Mountaineers.
White Moves Up: With a six yard rush in the third quarter, White topped 4,000 career rushing yards, becoming just the third Mountaineer in school history to amass 4,000 rushing yards (Avon Cobourne/1999-2002: 5,164; Amos Zereoue/1996-98: 4,086)
Also in the contest, White topped 9,000 career yards of total offense, WVU’s career leader in that category, and also tallied over 5,000 career passing yards, just the sixth Mountaineer field general to reach that plateau.
White also moved into fourth place on WVU’s career all-purpose yardage list, now boasting 4,051 for his career. He is just the fourth Mountaineer in school history to reach 4,000 career all-purpose yards.
White’s 200-yard Total Offense Game: Pat White tallied 230 yards of total offense in the win against the Huskies, his 21st career 200-yard total offense game. It is his second of the season (271 vs. Villanova).
Sanders’ Touchdown Reception from White: Jock Sanders’ six yard touchdown reception in the third quarter marked his team-leading sixth TD reception of the season.
The touchdown pass from White marked the senior signal caller’s 48th career touchdown pass and 13th of the season.
Hogan’s Picks: Brandon Hogan’s third quarter interception marked the first of his career. He tallied a second interception late in the fourth quarter.
Sanders’ Rushing Touchdowns: Jock Sanders’ two three-yard rushing touchdowns in the third quarter marked his was his first and second of the season and third and fourth of his career. Coupled with his six-yard touchdown reception earlier in the third quarter, it marked Sanders’ first career three touchdown day.
Neild’s Forced Fumble/Berry’s Recovery: Chris Neild’s third quarter forced fumble was the first of his career. Scooter Berry recovered the fumble, the fifth of his career and second of the season.
Third Quarter Scoring: WVU’s 21 points in the third quarter marked the first time this season the Mountaineers have scored that many in a single stanza. The last time West Virginia scored 21 points in a quarter was against the Huskies in both the third and fourth quarters of last year’s 66-21 victory in Morgantown.
WVU has scored 20 or more points in a quarter 28 times since 2001.
Ivy’s Pick: Mortty Ivy’s fourth quarter interception was his third interception of the season and fourth of his career.
White’s 100-yard Rushing Game: Pat White rushed for a game-best 109 yards on 21 carries. WVU improves to 15-2 all-time when White rushes for 100 or more yards in a contest. It was his second 100-yard effort of the season (148 at Colorado).
Second Half Defense: West Virginia’s defense held the Huskies scoreless in the second half, marking six straight second half quarters the Mountaineers have held their opponent scoreless. The last opponent to score in the second half against the Mountaineers was Rutgers in the fourth quarter.
All told, WVU has held five opponents scoreless in the second half this season and only given up four touchdowns and 28 total points in second half action all year.
30 is Enough: WVU improves to 56-1 since 2000 when scoring 30 or more points in a contest. It is the second straight contest and third time this season WVU has topped 30 points in a game.
Quick Notes
