Published: October 06, 2008 11:48 pm      

Syracuse looking forward to playing WVU

MORGANTOWN — Greg Robinson, Syracuse’s embattled coach, said Monday his team is looking forward to its trip to Morgantown for Saturday’s Big East football game with West Virginia.

The Orange (1-4, 0-1 Big East) will have had an extra week of preparation, having been idle since its 34-24 lost to Pitt on Sept. 27 in the Carrier Dome. The Panthers had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to win.

Robinson, who entered this season with a three-year record of 7-28 at Syracuse, said, "We practiced Sunday and I was pleased with the work."

He is impressed by the Mountaineers (3-2, 1-0 Big East), saying “There’s a lot of skill on that field down there. It starts at the quarterback position.

“They have nice depth. Jarrett Brown is more functional now (playing multiple positions) than he’s been in the past. They have a corps of receivers that are playmaker-type people. When they get their hands on the ball, they know what to do with it..

“It’s a nice situation with (tailback) Noel Devine and Jock Sanders. They’re explosive is the best way to put it. I’ve been very impressed with their offensive line, and they’ve had a lot of experience in the line.

“So, obviously, it’s a group that has the ability to make plays on almost any given play. So you kinda have to hold your breath a little bit and do everything you can do to minimize.”

Asked about West Virginia’s passing game, Robinson said he thought that was established in its season-opening 48-21 victory over Villanova. The Mountaineers’ chief strength was their running attack in their last two victories over Marshall and Rutgers.

“Both White and Brown are completing more than 70 percent of their passes,” Robinson noted, “and they’ve not thrown a whole bunch of interceptions. So, yeah, they’ve worked hard at it, and they give the ball to a number of guys who do something with it.”

Syracuse has 38 lettermen, including 13 starters, from last year’s team that dropped a 55-14 decision to WVU at home.