USFBullsEYE.com - Do Bulls have formula to stop WVU duo?

September 24, 2007

Dave Glaser
USFBullsEYE.com Managing Editor

The numbers are eye-popping. With his junior season just revving up, West Virginia's Steve Slaton has already run for 3,374 career yards. He averages more than six yards every time he touches the ball and, if he stays through his senior season, Slaton will undoubtedly leave as WVU's all-time rushing leader.

But there's one anomaly in those numbers. In two games against South Florida, the Heisman candidate has managed just 129 yards on 46 carries ? only 2.8 yards per attempt. No team has done a better job of containing Slaton than the Bulls, but can they do it again on Friday in what is clearly the biggest game of the young series?

USF's defenders realize the challenge that awaits, despite their past success.

"If we leave one hole open, Slaton is going to take that hole and try to hit his head on the goal post. So we just have to play our assignments and make sure we do everything right and play fundamental football," defensive end George Selvie said.

Another monumental task faces the Bulls defense when they take on the Mountaineers in the Big East opener for both schools. To some degree, however, USF has to be entering the game with a certain level of confidence. They have come as close as anyone has to solving WVU's potent offense over the past two seasons.

In last year's victory at Morgantown, the Bulls surrendered just 132 rushing yards ? a season low for the Mountaineers. And in 2005, the first meeting between the schools, two long touchdown runs by quarterback Pat White were the difference. Minus White's scoring scampers of 65 and 76 yards, WVU's dynamic duo managed a relatively modest 127 yards on 32 rushes.

According to senior nose tackle Richard Clebert, the key to success for the Bulls has been an unselfish attitude on the part of all 11 players on USF's defense ? nothing more complicated than that.

"It's all about doing what you're supposed to on every play. When you try to get greedy and think you're going to freelance a little bit and make a big play, that's when White and Slaton will break one off on you for 80," he said. "We just have to follow Coach (Wally) Burnham's scheme, stay disciplined and realize it doesn't matter if you have one tackle or 10 if we get the win."

The biggest challenge for the Bulls in preparation this week, in fact, could be switching gears to deal with an option-oriented attack. They will try to simulate WVU's White and Slaton in practice ? an almost unreachable feat ? and get used to the different formations they'll get from the Mountaineers.

"It's a different challenge than we've had so far this year ? option, running quarterback, great tailback, a real good offensive line. It's a completely different mindset on defense," Burnham admitted. "We'll find a way to get it done in practice. We know a few things they do, but they've changed some things. They run some different formations and different plays now from the last time we met."

An added wrinkle this year will involve the familiarity former Bulls and current WVU assistants Rod Smith and Greg Frey have with USF's personnel. Of all the players polled, only Clebert came close to admitting that Smith and Frey's presence gives West Virginia any advantage. But he also said that the game is in the players' hands once the ball is kicked.

"I know we're going to change signals and all that, but I don't think it's going to matter that much. Even if they know our call, the guy in front of me still has to take me on and beat me," Clebert said. "I know Coach Frey knows what kind of player I am and I'm sure he's telling his offensive linemen what to do against me. That's okay. We didn't have a real good relationship while he was here, so I'm going to be pointing right at him whenever I make a play."

While WVU's dominant running game is well known, White probably hasn't gotten the respect he deserves as a passer. Through four games, he has completed 71-percent of his throws, averaged 154 yards per game and thrown six touchdown passes against no interceptions.

That puts added pressure on a USF secondary that has risen to every test so far this season.

"I think we will probably play a little more man than normal because they do run the ball and we'll have to stack the box. That's a challenge for me and Mike (Jenkins)," said CB Trae Williams.

Added Jenkins: "No matter what, we're always going to have to respect the run. Even when (White's) passing, he can still pull it down and run, so everybody has to play their responsibilities and stay contained. If we can do that, we'll be okay. We'll mix it up a lot."

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