Sep 8, 2007, 19:00 GMT
Huntington, WV - Pat White threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for a score, as third-ranked West Virginia visited state rival Marshall for the first time in 92 years and left with a tougher-than-expected 48-23 victory.
White completed 13-of-18 passes for 149 yards and added 125 yards on the ground for the Mountaineers (2-0), who trailed 13-6 at halftime but pulled away with the help of six second-half touchdowns.
Steve Slaton chipped in 146 rushing yards with a pair of second-half scoring runs in the victory. Darius Reynaud was White's primary target, catching eight passes for 126 yards with two scores, while Noel Devine ran for a pair of touchdowns in the second-half outburst.
'We were fortunate to get out of here with a win,' said West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. 'We knew we were going to be in a tough environment and take their best shot and we did. They were well prepared and played hard.'
The Mountaineers won last year's matchup, 42-10, and are now 7-0 all-time against Marshall. It was West Virginia's first trip to Huntington since its lone previous visit in 1915. The teams, prior to last season, had played just once since 1923.
Bernard Morris threw for 256 yards on 19-of-29 passing with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions for Marshall (0-2), which rebounded with a nice effort after last week's 31-3 season-opening drubbing at the hands of Miami-Florida.
Darius Marshall ran for 80 yards in defeat, while Cody Slate and Darius Passmore each caught five passes with one for a touchdown.
'This is as good as we've played offensively, defensively and special teams since I've been here and that's what it was going to take a Herculean effort to play this team,' said Marshall coach Mark Snyder. 'They're going to contend for a national championship this year.'
West Virginia mustered just 118 total yards in the first half and trailed 13-6, but opened the third quarter with a 66-yard drive for the tying score. Reynaud caught a six-yard pass to convert an early third down, then capped the seven-play series with a 23-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
Back came the Herd, as a 28-yard run by Darius Marshall and a 33-yard completion from Morris to E.J. Wynn set up a 34-yard field goal by Anthony Binswanger to give the home team a 16-13 lead.
White and Slaton then went to work on West Virginia's next series, combining for all but seven of the 65 yards on the nine-play march. White finished it with a 20-yard touchdown run around the right end to give the Mountaineers their first lead since early in the first quarter at 20-16.
A fumble by Darius Marshall on the Herd's next play following the kickoff gave the Mountaineers possession again at midfield and White needed just six plays to put his team back in the end zone. A 24-yard pass to Reynaud keyed the quick series and Slaton finished it with a two-yard touchdown run to make it 27-16 with 3:34 to play in the third quarter.
The Herd, though, responded with a two-play drive to cover 72 yards for a touchdown. Passmore took an end around 30 yards to the West Virginia 42 before Morris hit Slate along the right sideline with an out pattern that turned into a 42-yard touchdown.
Marshall's defense forced a three-and-out and the Herd took over on offense at midfield following a punt. A 16-yard pass from Morris to Passmore on the first play fueled the crowd, but a holding penalty and a sack at the close of the third period derailed the momentum and forced a punt.
West Virginia took over on its own 20 and marched 80 yards for a touchdown to put it out of reach. Devine capped the 10-play series with a 12-yard scoring run to make it 34-23 with just under 10 1/2 minutes remaining.
Morris left the contest after a scramble on the first play of Marshall's next drive, injuring his right foot, and the Herd offense went nowhere with Brian Anderson under center. Morris would return later in the game.
After a punt, the Mountaineers drove 80 yards for the game-clinching score, as Slaton finished the nine-play drive -- all on the ground -- with an 18-yard scoring run. Devine added a 10-yard touchdown run in the final two minutes.
The Mountaineers finished with 511 total yards, including 362 rushing.
With the emotion of the home crowd, Darius Marshall returned the opening kickoff 77 yards to the West Virginia 23. The offense, however, could not manage a first down and Binswanger booted a 32-yard field goal for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Mountaineers answered on their second possession when White hit Reynaud in stride with a pass over the middle. Reynaud took it the rest of the way for a 46-yard score, but a botched snap on the extra point left West Virginia with a 6-3 edge.
Marshall went back in front in the second quarter thanks to another solid play from the special teams. Emmanuel Spann returned a punt 26 yards to the West Virginia 38 and the Herd cashed in on the very next play when Passmore hauled in a touchdown pass from Morris to grab a 10-6 lead.
The Mountaineers went three and out, giving the ball back to Marshall with 4:14 to play in the half. The Herd marched from their own 30 to the West Virginia nine, but had to settle for a 26-yard Binswanger field goal as time expired to make it 13-6.
Game Notes
Saturday's victory also gave West Virginia home-field advantage for the 2009 game. The teams were already slated to play in Morgantown next year...West Virginia has a short week and visits Maryland on Thursday night...Marshall welcomes New Hampshire to Huntington next Saturday.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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