Published: November 19, 2008 01:15 pm      

West Virginia expects tussle from Louisville

BLUEFIELD — West Virginia last traveled to Louisville in 2006, with the Mountaineers dropping a 44-34 decision to the Cardinals on a brutally cold Thursday night in a tilt between a pair of top 10 teams.

“That was one of the most widely viewed games in ESPN history,” said West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart, whose ‘Eers’ rallied for a 46-44 three-overtime win over the Cardinals in ‘05. “We had the triple-overtime game here and then went down there next and had that shootout. We came up on the bad end, but I remember it was a tough game.”

When the ‘Eers (6-3, 3-1) arrive at Papa John’s Stadium on Saturday (noon, ESPN), West Virginia will be playing for its Big East title lives. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (5-5, 1-4) are just trying to secure a winning season and a bowl berth.

“We have control of this Saturday and we have to finish strong,” said Stewart, whose ‘Eers are 7-2 against Louisville, including 2-1 on the road. “We have a tough opponent and I respect them very much. We haven’t done well in the past going down there and I hope we can break that trend.”

West Virginia is currently one of three teams with one loss in the Big East. Cincinnati (8-2, 4-1) is currently in control, but the ‘Eers still have hopes at a fifth Big East title in the last six years. First, they must beat Louisville, Pittsburgh and South Florida, and get a little help along the way.

While Louisville took Cincinnati to the wire before falling last week 28-20, the ‘Eers last played two weeks ago in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Bearcats.

Stewart hopes that break proves beneficial to West Virginia. The ‘Eers are 1-1 coming off bye weeks this year, losing at Colorado, but beating Auburn.

“Sometimes you hate to get out of rhythm and sometimes it’s good to get out of rhythm and rest — it worked well prior to Auburn and I can only hope that it will work well prior to Saturday’s game,” Stewart said. “I can’t tell you that it will, but I can hope that it will.”

Louisville started the season at 5-2, but have lost three straight. Stewart is concerned about the Steve Kragthrope-coached Cardinals, who have been able to score, but have struggled to stop their opponents, allowing at least 20 points in their last eight games.

“They have a good defense and a very tough defense. Their defense is much like Cincinnati’s and Pitt’s from what I’ve seen on film — rough, tough, get after it rock and sock them guys,” said Stewart, on the Cardinals, who have allowed 28 (twice) and 41 points during their current losing streak.

“We feel like we are going up against a tough opponent, no matter what people think.” added Stewart. “I have much respect for Coach Kragthorpe and his entire staff. He is a great coach and has a great group of players.”

Offensively, Louisville is led by quarterback Hunter Cantwell, who has thrown for 1,947 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 picks. Vic Anderson has run for 973 yards and eight scores, while Doug Beaumont has caught 46 passes, and is also a fine return man.

“We have to keep Cantwell out of rhythm. If he gets into rhythm, he reminds me of Mike Teel at Rutgers,” said Stewart, who is concerned about the passing duo Cantwell and Beaumont. “When they get into an absolute rhythm, a pattern of pitching and throwing that ball, they are really special.

“I think he’s a lot like Mike Teel in the way that when he’s hot, he’s very hot and the receivers catch balls. I hope we can keep him off rhythm in first down...We have to stop the passing game — they love to throw the ball first and ten and get into a rhythm and we have to keep them out of that rhythm.”

Stewart said the ‘Eers have been able to get healthy during the bye week. That includes backup quarterback Jarrett Brown, who could share some time with Pat White, while Eric Jobe is expected to start at center for an injured Mike Dent.

“We’re very good health-wise and I feel good about it,” Stewart said. “I told the team that if they weren’t hurting now, then they weren’t playing very good football and you haven’t been hitting very much.

“We’re dinged up and they’re dinged up — I’m sure the whole league is. It’s a tough time, but this is the time when the good ones separate. Down the stretch is when the good ones step up and we’ve been pretty good in the past and I can only hope and pray that we’ll continue doing that.”

With three games left in the regular season, Stewart and the ‘Eers are ready to tee it up. Enough with the bye weeks for awhile.

“It’s been a long time coming and we need to play and everyone feels the same way,” said Stewart, whose ‘Eers are 8-2 in their last 10 November games. “The players are getting antsy and I’m getting antsy. Two weeks at this time of the year is a long time.”

—Contact Brian Woodson at bwoodson@bdtonline.com