Published: October 09, 2008 11:35 pm      

White back to health, ready for Orange

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University quarterback Patrick White has shaken off the woozy feeling he had last weekend and is confident that he will be able to perform well in Saturday’s homecoming football game against Syracuse.

“I feel pretty much normal now,” the 6-2, 192-pound senior said earlier in the week. “I don’t remember much about the Rutgers game last week.”

That’s because he got hit in the head late in the third quarter and sat out the remainder of the contest as a precautionary measure.

“I’ve never had my bell rung like that before,” White admitted. “But playing football, you are going to get hit. I got hit.”

He wore a green jersey in practice this week, signifying to all other players that he should not be hit. But he’s looking forward to playing Syracuse (1-4).

The Mountaineers (3-2) will be seeking a third consecutive victory of the young season.

“I’ve watched game tapes, and Syracuse really gets after you,” White said. “They should have beaten Pitt. I think any Division I-A team can beat you. They’re playing well right now, and the record might not show that.

“But since I’ve been here, Syracuse always flies around and gets after it. And they’re going to do that for four quarters.”

White likes it when No. 2 quarterback Jarrett Brown is in the game with him at the same time.

“I think you have more options and can do a lot more with two quarterbacks on the field,” he said.

Asked whether the change from a 25-second to a 40-second play clock this year has made much difference, he replied:

“I don’t think things have changed too much, but some plays are a little faster than others. But, for the most part, that is plenty of time to get a play in. If we run the offense like we are supposed to, then it shouldn’t matter.”