A depleted conference in a transitional period, the Big East entered the 2004 season reeling from the defections of Virginia Tech and Miami, expecting the losses of Boston College and Temple and awaiting the entries of Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida. The one glimmer of hope was West Virginia, a sleeper pick among many pundits to perhaps go unbeaten.

The Mountaineers opened last season living up to the hype, even earning a No. 7 national ranking.

Until they played unranked Virginia Tech on Oct. 2 and lost, 19-13.

In two weeks, the Mountaineers will be able to avenge that loss to the Hokies. They’ll play at home and if No. 4 Virginia Tech continues on path, the game will be almost a complete reversal from last season. While the Big East conference schedule is most important for the Mountaineers, the VT game will carry extra weight.

The one problem: West Virginia has to play East Carolina first.

‘If no one in the media would mention (Virginia Tech), that would help,’ West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez said. ‘I will address that and talk about it.’

With young teams like the Mountaineers, it’s common to overlook a lesser foe when a heavyweight awaits. The anticipation for the Virginia Tech game is already collecting steam. As a result, Saturday’s date with ECU is that much more important.

Lucky for the Mountaineers, they’ve been impressive in winning their first three games this season. They’re one of two remaining undefeated Big East teams, and have proven capable on the road, beating Syracuse and Maryland. And they’ve done it despite only returning nine starters from 2004.

‘There’s going to be bumps in the road, but they’ve worked extremely hard,’ Rodriguez said. ‘They’re a unique team from the standpoint that they don’t care who’s the star or who’s getting credit. They just like playing football and like being around each other.’

Most of West Virginia’s surprising success is due to a stingy defense that stymied SU in the season-opener. But the offense, operating under a two-quarterback system, is exceeding expectations. Sophomore starter Adam Bednarik and freshman Pat White are both similar and have earned Rodriguez’s trust.

‘It’s a lot easier when you have one that’s totally better than the other because you can separate that and don’t have to worry about it,’ Rodriguez said. ‘But they both have earned the right to play and both have showed they can win and do nice things.

‘The good part about it is we can run our offense with both of them. The only difference is one’s left-handed and one’s right-handed.’

Rodriguez used two quarterbacks in 1999 when he was the offensive coordinator at Clemson. The offense featured traditional pocket passer Brandon Streeter and scrambler Woody Dantzler. Rodriguez said this season’s version is easier to handle because Bednarik and White both play the same style.

‘Our thoughts (on offense) don’t change,’ Rodriguez said. ‘It takes two guys who are unselfish and know their role and know what they have to do.’

Bednarik, who suffered a neck injury against Maryland, leads the team in passing with 251 yards while completing 75 percent of his passes. White tops the rushing statistics, rushing for 63 yards per game and 189 yards overall.

Rodriguez said Bednarik should be ready to play on Saturday, as will the Mountaineers – even though Virginia Tech is two weeks away.

‘We have a handful of older guys – not a lot of them – but enough to say, ‘Listen, it’s one (game) at a time,’ Rodriguez said. ‘It’s an 11-round championship fight and we’re only in round four.’

Pitt-thetic

On the other end of the Big East spectrum is Pittsburgh. The Panthers are 0-3 after losing to Nebraska, 7-6, on a blocked field goal attempt in the final minute.

It was the latest setback in what was an eagerly anticipated season, with head coach Dave Wannstedt returning to his alma mater from the NFL and the expected progression of quarterback Tyler Palko. Instead, Wannstedt is winless and Palko hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since the first quarter of the first game.

Wannstedt, though, hasn’t lost faith in the 2004 second-team, All-Big East performer.

‘I give (Palko) a lot of credit. Last week was as difficult a week he’s probably had since he’s been here at Pitt, and maybe in his career,’ Wannstedt said. ‘He put the team in position to win at the end. I thought he did a great job. We’re just off.’

The Panthers play Youngstown (Ohio) State on Saturday, and they should rid themselves of the losing funk against the Division I-AA foe. Wannstedt’s remained calm, unfazed by the season and continuously seeking progress.

‘The focus hasn’t been on the big picture,’ Wannstedt said. ‘It’s more ‘Let’s get better day to day.”

Performer of the Week

Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

In just his second career start, Brohm lived up to his early-season hype in the Cardinals’ 63-27 rout of Oregon State. The sophomore completed 18-of-22 passes for 368 yards and five touchdowns. His completion percentage – 81.8 percent – tied the second-highest single-game performance in school history.

Game to Watch

Louisville at South Florida, Saturday, 6:45 p.m., ESPNU

It’s coincidental that the Cardinals and the Bulls, two former Conference USA schools, open their Big East schedules against each other. UL is the preseason pick to win the Big East, and its No. 9 national ranking is validated after an impressive 2-0 start. USF has remained under the radar, but its 2-1 and have the athleticism to at least compete with the Cardinals. The Bulls beat Louisville, 30-27 (2 OT), in their first meeting in 2003. UL answered back last season, winning 41-9. The winner of the rubber match will be up in the series and the Big East standings.

Around the Conference

Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil continued his sack attack with three on Saturday, giving him nine in only two games this season. The total set an NCAA record for most sacks in consecutive games. It also earned him Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Week with West Virginia’s Jay Henry, who recorded a key fourth quarter fumble recovery. Brohm earned the offensive accolades, while Mountaineers’ kicker Pat McAfee took the special teams honors after registering five touchbacks on six kickoffs, and completed a career-long 40-yard field goal. … Cincinnati managed to outlast Western Carolina, 7-3, on Saturday, but lack of success on offense marks the second straight week redshirt freshman quarterback Dustin Grutza struggled. Grutza was only 10-of-24 for 88 yards and an interception. … Rutgers quarterback Ryan Hart became only the second quarterback in school history to eclipse 7,000 passing yards and is 82 yards shy of the school record. Hart threw two touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights’ 17-3 win over Buffalo.

Published on September 19, 2005 at 12:00 pm