Spring Break
WVU's 28-0 run KO's Huskies
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Sports
|
The Mountaineers' only two losses last season came when White was relegated to the bench.
With a little over four minutes remaining in Saturday's match-up to decide first place in the Big East, White was just where UConn wanted him - on the sidelines, with his helmet off, as backup Jarrett Brown commanded the West Virginia offense.
White wasn't icing his ankle, however. He wasn't holding his wrist. He wasn't grimacing in pain. Instead, White was comfortably looking on - much like he did at the end of last season's game against the Huskies - as West Virginia's second-string offense put the finishing touches on a 35-13 dismantling of a UConn team that laid an egg in perhaps its most important game of the season.
It wasn't 66-21, but in many ways, Saturday's crushing defeat mirrored the "embarrassment" that the Huskies suffered in Morgantown, W. Va., last season.
UConn (6-3, 2-2 Big East) jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 21-yard touchdown run by Donald Brown, and pushed its lead to 10-0 on the very next possession.
Brown, the nation's leading rusher, was rolling (54 yards rushing on five carries on UConn's first two possessions). Redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Endres was 7-for-8 in just his second career start. Even fullback Anthony Sherman ripped off a 16-yard-run. The Huskies were clicking on all cylinders.
Then, with 11:23 to go in the second quarter, White broke containment on a 3rd-and-goal from the 24-yard line and practically walked into the end zone to bring the score to 10-7.
UConn kicker Dave Teggart added another field goal before the half to push UConn's lead to 13-7 at the midway point.
After that, however, everything began to unravel, and the Mountaineers (6-2, 3-0) took advantage.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Walter Rescorla
posted 11/03/08 @ 12:29 PM EST
There was more to the story other than turnovers and the speed of West Virginia. I think the coaches have a role in the loss as well. It was my observation that the play calling on both the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side became way too conservative in the second half. (Continued…)
Post a Comment