1. Go back to the 6 core plays( quick slant, option, lead draw, qb draw, reverse/misdirection plays, deep balls to keep defense honest).....Check
2. Widen the line splits( better blocking angles and spread the defense thin)..Check
3. Forget the check downs, get the ball out quick and threaten with the deep ball ( if White completes passes, the running game becomes even easier)...check
4. Get Noel his touches( as many as possible!!!)...check
Offensive Line: This group dominated vs Auburn...widen their splits and looked like it helped them get better angles on their blocks... A+
Wide Recievers: Outside of the gimme TD that Sanders dropped this group also had their best game catching and blocking. Even though Lyons did not get a ball he caused all kinds of problems for Auburn..they had to account for hi last night which clearly hurt their ability to cheat for run help...B
RB: There was a Ricky Kovatch sighting on short yardage!!!....What has Stew been waiting for to get this kid in the game...good greif!! Noel Devine has now officially cast his monniker as the "YouTube Sensation" he is now the West Virginia University Sensation..I have seen Knowshon Moreno play against Auburn ....I have seen the other so called SEC SPEED guys play against this Auburn team..I have seen none of them run away from the Auburn defense...A+
QB: Doing what he does best........ play fast , went back to no check downs on reads and did what he does best...when he is healthy...play big in big games...he adds to the legend...B-...why B- ?..2 picks and a botched handoff
Defense:
DL: Wow... Soooter Berry going down my be huge going down the stretch here. He may not be replacable at this point of the season...HUGE LOSS!!...B
LB: Glover was a freak ...Sydney..welcome to Morgantown...a star is born...Leonard, Ivy and Yes there was a Pat Lazear sighting..huge stop onthe goal line they did let Burns run around a bit , but give Burns credit..that kid is going to be a stud for Auburn...A
Secondary: Would have liked to see the corners press coverage a bit more..but they gave absolutely no looks down field...B
Special Teams: Pat Mac made some big kicks in a big game.....finally... Kick off team looked scared to hit people out there...lets hope we get that fixed..C
Coaching:
Casteel: Outside of the defense giving up ground early..they completely shut Auburn down in the second half...and again 17 points on the score board..for those who think the 3-3-5 stack is a waste of time...you clearly have no concept of football...A
Mullen: I am going to guess Stew took the reigns of this guy... and Mullen also looks to have had a heart to heart chat with his offense ....without question his best day..He called a great game....A
Stew: I have given this guy thumbs down every week until now....Everyweek he has gotten better on the sidelines ..he looked in control last night and totally involved...and he went back to the gunslinger mentallity of the Fiesta Bowl...ITS ABOUT TIME STEW!!! B-
Final word. This game might be for the Big East Championship.UConns 3rd string freshman QB will obviously be playing in his biggest game. This might be Pat Whites 25/26th biggest game....maybe. Lville handed the Huskies a win on an int return with under 3 minutes to go, and they lost to the only other decent teams they faced ( UNC, Rutgers), and Baylor gave them fits .....White and Devine should chew this defense up early and often.....
Speed kills.....mix it with confidence and momentum and you got trouble.....
WV 45 UConn 17
Thoughts? Uconn fans? Haters? All welcome.