Herbstreit picked Rutgers as revenge for last years “ruining” of their storybook season. Corso said WVU by 14 on the first go ‘round, then changed it to by “a touchdown and a field goal.”Got to be able to get a first down when you only need one yard with a 260 lb fullback, who has broken nine facemasks. Great downfield blocking on the first touchdown run by the wide receivers as Slaton changes direction and makes a diving attempt at the pylon. Touchdown WVU. WVU 7 - Rutgers 0.

WV’s defense is staying at home, looking strong. Rutgers’ offense is like a piston, 4 yards, 5 yards, penalty held them up right before the end of the 1st quarter. Looks like WVU will need dominate time of possession or this could get ugly. End of first quarter WVU 7 - Rutgers 0.

Rivers starts second quarter with a nice run back, second of the game. I would be interested to see some coverage statistics since teams went to these crazy spread punts and rugby style kicking versus old school “pro-style punt formation.”

Third and seven and the center snaps the ball over Whites’ hands (it was a bad snap, but catchable) Having played center in college, once you make one bad snap, even if you’ve snapped it 1000 times perfect in a row, it gets in your head, and then you analyze every snap. This won’t be the last bad snap today. Twenty-three yard loss. WVU makes it look planned though, as the WVU punts the ball into the back of a Rutgers player and Mortty Ivy recovers to the 31 yard line.

A long replay as White fumbles the ball across the goal line. The line judge (incorrectly) called it a touchdown, but the replay is showing White laying on the ball in the end zone regardless. The replay took nearly 10 minutes to sort out and the play stands as called on the field. Good PAT. I don’t think this is reviewable once that line judge called it a touchdown? WVU 14 - Rutgers 0.

Rivers dropped an easy INT as Dingle waxes Teel. Two plays later, Teel comes out of the game for Jabu Lovelace. Teel back in one play later. 5 min left in 2nd before ray rice held for no gain or a loss. Rutgers’ wide outs can’t hold on to the ball today, and this time it cost them four points. WVU 14 - Rutgers 3.

This buys them another blocker with Slaton, but I haven’t seen him throw any noteworthy blocks. Lets see more Schmitt if we’re going to play this way.

Good final drive and WVU tacks on a field goal. WVU 17 - Rutgers 3.

Notes:

• Play calling for Rodriguez will take more time today because someone at Rutgers stole their hand signals. Somehow WVU found out about it from an “inside source”, would be interesting to get the rest of that story. It would be a good strategy to make the other team think you had their hand signals (use a mole, or sneak it through the media). That confusion alone is well worth the effort.
• Did anyone else notice the refs have pink whistles?
• No way White plays QB at next level? He’s as good as Vick. He was drafted by the Angels as a pitcher, so he certainly has the arm strength.
• Here’s a crazy stat. WVU has the fewest penalties this year in the Big East. White has two more carries at this point than Slaton.