'09 Football Opponent Preview: West Virginia
August 28, 2009 | Football
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- As college football fans across the country gear up for another exciting season of action on the gridiron, UofLSports.com will give Louisville fans breakdown, analysis and things to watch for on each of the Cardinals' 2009 opponents leading up to the start of the season.
The staff of UofLSports.com continues its 2009 football season preview with an in-depth look at the Cards' BIG EAST game against West Virginia.
 | Game Buildup |
The Cardinals will look to knock off one of the favorites in the BIG EAST when they travel to face West Virginia on Nov. 7. The Mountaineers hold an 8-2 series advantage and have won the last two meetings, including a 35-21 win at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium last year.
| Season Outlook |
West Virginia is arguably one of the most consistent programs in college football and last year was no different as the Mountaineers finished 9-4 overall en route to their fourth straight bowl victory. In fact, West Virginia has had at least nine wins during those past four seasons.
Under the new reigns of head coach Bill Stewart, West Virginia flourished in what many thought would be a transition year. Now Stewart must do it again as he is faced with the loss of the most prolific running quarterback in college football history, Pat White.
The Mountaineers, who were voted to finish second in the preseason BIG EAST media poll, will give Stewart and his staff a chance to continue the program's success with the return of 15 starters, including eight from a defense that allowed the 11th fewest point in the nation a year ago.
| Players to Watch |
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Noel Devine | RB | No. 7 | Junior
Entering his junior year the do-it-all Noel Devine has high expectations to fill. He is arguably one of the most electrifying running backs in college football. During his sophomore year he rushed for 1,289 yards on 206 carries for four touchdowns with a staggering 6.3 yards per carry. He ranked third in the Big East in rushing yards, averaging 99.2 per game, and was tied for second on the team in receptions with 35 of them accounting for 185 yards. In five out of 13 games that Devine played in he rushed for 100 or more yards, including a career-high of 207 against Auburn. Nationally, Devine ranked 10th in total offense, 24th in rushing, and 58th in all-purpose yards. He also helped the Mountaineers bring home a win in the Menieke Car Care Bowl against North Carolina. Devine was selected to the All-Big East second team in 2008 and is listed as a preseason candidate for the 2009 Doak Walker Award.
Other Key Players
| Scouting Opponent's Offense |
After serving as backup quarterback for the past four seasons, Jarrett Brown has been given the reins to the West Virginia offense this season. In his three years, he holds a 2-0 record as a starting quarterback and never lost a game in which he came in as the backup with WVU holding the lead. Last year, he played in nine games and saw time as the starting quarterback, backup quarterback, as a slot receiver and as a running back.
Behind him is Coley White, the younger brother of legendary quarterback Pat. He ran the scout team, while redshirting. He now has to step out on the field and prove he has an understanding of the offense and can direct the team. He is quick, has a good feel for the game and will try to show his ability as a passer during the spring.
Last year's starter at running back, Noel Devine, a second team All-BIG EAST selection in 2008, returns for his third year after registering the third best rushing season by a sophomore in school history. He looks to improve his inside running and his pass protection this season to make him a more complete player.
Mark Rodgers saw time as a true freshman last year. He will look to showcase his talent this season. Zach Hulce and Mike Poitier will look to add to the mix this spring.
Will Johnson returns for his second year at the fullback/tight end position and third year overall with the program. He showed a lot of improvement throughout last spring and during the season until he sustained a thigh bruise, which slowed down his progress for the rest of the season. He is healthy and is looking forward to making more of a contribution.
Walk-on Ricky Kovatch saw limited time last season and will compete for more playing time this year. He is a good blocker and showed improvement on his pass receiving skills last year. Ryan Clarke will compete for playing time and looks to add to the mix.
Tyler Urban returns for his second year as the team's tight end, giving the passing game a good target and is a good blocker on running plays. Tyler Rader saw limited action last year and looks to make more of a contribution this season at tight end.
Alric Arnett and Bradley Starks will be the Mountaineers' top deep threats this season. Arnett and Starks both showed signs of outstanding play last year but both look to be more of a consistent deep threat this season.
Behind Arnette and competing for more time on the field this season is big-target receiver Wes Lyons. The 6-8 receiver showed improvement last season. J.D. Woods, Ryan Nehlen, Gino Crump and Logan Heastie will try to add to mix by impressing the coaching staff with their speed, route running and ability to catch the ball this year.
Jock Sanders returns as a threat from the slot position. His big-play capability make him a prime target for Brown this year. Carmen Connolly and Jack Crow will backup Sanders in the slot. Connolly spent most of his time with special team duties but did add depth at the slot receiver position last year. Crow saw limited action last year and will have a chance to see a lot of time on the field this spring.
After losing three starters, the Mountaineers revamped their offensive line during the spring. Two starters return from last year. Redshirt senior Selvish Capers, WVU's starting right tackle, has played in 26 games over the past two years and accumulated 19 starts, and redshirt junior Eric Jobe started the final five games of the season and did a solid job.
Sophomore Josh Jenkins played the first five games of last season and received playing time until a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He should be ready to compete for the starting right tackle position. Redshirt sophomore Don Barclay also saw game action last season; playing in all 13 games and starting the Louisville game and looks to fill the right guard position.
Looking to compete for the other starting guard position, as well as the backup roles, will be redshirt junior Matt Timmerman, redshirt sophomore Chad Snodgrass and redshirt freshmen Jeffrey Braun and John Bassler. Battling for playing time at the tackle positions are redshirt senior Jon Walko and redshirt freshman Levi Pardee and at center will be redshirt freshman Joe Madsen.
| Scouting Opponent's Defense |
After having productive sophomore seasons, redshirt juniors Scooter Berry and Chris Neild are the returning starters on the defensive line and should be defensive playmakers once again. Redshirt sophomores Julian Miller and Larry Ford saw time on the field last year in their first year as a Mountaineer and will look to take a more active role this season.
Looking to add depth and challenge for playing time at the tackle position will be Jorge Wright and D.J. Shaw. Josh Taylor, Glenn Gress and C.J. Huffman also add depth along the line. JB Lageman will look to add to the mix at defensive end this season.
Linebacker is probably the deepest position on the defensive side of the ball with Williams, Thomas, Leonard, Lazear and Najee Goode all having starting experience.
Williams was a two-year starter entering last season but had to redshirt after suffering a shoulder injury. His shoulders healed and he has built his strength and is healthy for his final season. He is slated as the starter at middle linebacker. The first-team Academic All-American emerged as one of the team leaders last season and has lived up to the billing on and off the field.
Leonard, who took over the position when Williams was forced to redshirt last year, played in 11 games and started six. He will battle Williams for the starting role and both will see a lot of playing time this season. Donovan Miles will look to add depth to the position.
Thomas returns for his third year at the weak-side linebacker position and second as the starter. He will be counted on as a defensive playmaker as well as leadership this season. Ovid Goulbourne returns for his final season and will be the primary backup behind Thomas. He has been bothered by nagging injuries throughout his career and if he can stay healthy provides the defense with speed and good cover ability.
The strong-side linebacker position will be occupied by Lazear who played in all 13 games last year, added depth in the middle and started three games. He has good size and showed a lot of improvement during the last half of the season, playing well down the final stretch of the season. Zac Cooper and Goode and Lazear will fill the backup role. Cooper is being moved from the defensive end position but will still be used as a pass rusher in certain situations. The coaching staff likes his speed off the edge and his ability to help stop the run.
Glover and Sands return as starting safeties, and Hogan returns as the starting left cornerback. Glover started 12 games last season at the spur safety position. He is one of the team's defensive playmakers, can hit hard and is ready to have a breakout season.
At the free safety position as a true freshman last year, Sands earned playing time early in the season and won the starting job for the Marshall game. The tall safety showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season and should make more of an impact this season. Eain Smith played in all 13 games last year and started four. He will be the primary backup.
Nate Sowers, who was moved over to the defensive side of the ball late in the 2007 season, showed a lot of promise last year and should see more time on the field this season at the safety position.
After being a primary backup and being used in nickel and dime situations, Franchot Allen is slated as the starter at the bandit safety position. Courtney Stuart saw limited time on defense but was used extensively on special teams. He has good speed and looks to be the primary backup.
At left cornerback, Brandon Hogan returns for this third season on the squad and second at the cornerback position. He was moved over to the defensive side of the ball during preseason, earned playing right away and then moved into the starting role for the Marshall game. He showed a lot of improvement over the course of the season and could be one of the best corners in the conference. Guesly Dervil, Eddie Davis and Chaz Russell also will compete for the backup position and playing time during the spring. Davis saw most of his action on special teams and Russell was redshirted after transferring.
Keith Tandy gets the early nod at the opposite end cornerback spot. He played in six games last season. Kent Richardson, Brantwon Bowser and Benji Powers will compete for the backup position and for playing time. Bowser had a knee injury last spring and sat out the season while he was recovering from surgery. He is fully recovered and expected to make a contribution this season. Powers was on the team last year but didn't see any action.
| Scouting Opponent's Special Teams |
Tyler Bitancurt will get the nod at kicker to begin the season, while Josh Lider and Cameron Starke will serve as backups.
Scott Kozlowski returns for his final season and will take over the punting duties. He was the team's punter for eight games in 2006. He will also handle the kickoff duties this season. Greg Pugnetti will handle the backup role.
Cody Nutter enters the season as the long snapper and Jeremy Kash will be the holder.
Hogan and Davis will handle kickoff and punt returns with the former getting most of the reps fielding punts. Hogan returned three punts last year, while Davis had limited action returning kicks.
| Game Implications |
This contest could have huge bowl implications for both teams and a win by the Cards could push them over the top in their quest to return to postseason play.
The countdown to the start of the season marches on as UofLSports.com provides and in-depth look at the Cards' BIG EAST game against Syracuse in its next installment.
