Scouting: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Most of what West Virginia does offensively revolves around the running game, but the receiving corps cannot be overlooked due to their big play potential. The Mountaineers regularly line up with three wide receivers and it is not uncommon for WVU to go four- or even five-wide. While this is primarily done to spread the field and prevent opposing defenses from stacking eight or nine guys in the box to stop the run, quarterback Patrick White is not afraid to take a shot down the field.
Patrick White is a better thrower than people give him credit for, and when the Mountaineers choose to put the ball in the air he completes 68 percent of his passes and ranks 14th in the nation in passing efficiency.
Inclined to go for the home run at just about any time, Patrick White's primary downfield target is Darius Reynaud. The team's leading receiver with 59 catches for 691 yards, Reynaud has the potential to take it to the house each time he touches the ball. The senior playmaker has accounted for 11 of the team's 14 TD catches this year, ranking second in school history for touchdown receptions in a single season. An explosive kick returner as well, Reynaud has averaged over 26 yards per kickoff return during his career, good for second-best in school history.
Dorrell Jalloh and Tito Gonzales are West Virginia's other starting wideouts and rank third and fourth respectively in receiving yards.
Not surprisingly, the Mountaineers also like to utilize their running backs in the passing game as another way to get the ball in the hands of Steve Slaton. He is the team's second leading receiver and, along with true freshman Jock Sanders, will line up in the slot numerous times during the course of a game.
West Virginia's wide receivers also play a critical role in the team's spread-option rushing attack and are relied upon to block downfield for the dynamic duo of Patrick White and Steve Slaton. Jalloh and Gonzales have established themelves as two of WVU's most dependable blockers.
Best known for his prowess at the fullback position, senior Owen Schmitt has also been utilized at tight end this year to take advantage of his excellent blocking skills. Deceptively versatile, the bruiser has hauled in 12 passes for 121 yards this season.
Key Matchups
Reynaud is undoubtedly West Virginia's go-to-guy when they decide to put the ball in the air. With All-Big 12 corner Reggie Smith sidelined for the bowl game with a broken big toe, the responsibility of shutting down Reynaud will fall on Lendy Holmes and Marcus Walker.
The corners may be asked to play a lot of one-on-one coverage as the Sooners attempt to keep as many guys in the box as possible to contain the running game. To prevent OU's safeties from cheating up, West Virginia will have to take some shots downfield.
Strong safety D.J. Wolfe will play a key role in this theater and against multiple receiver sets. Wolfe leads Oklahoma with four interceptions on the season. Patrick White has thrown just four picks in 2007 for the Mountaineers.
If the game comes down to a two-point conversion, the Sooners will need to keep track of Jalloh, who has made his career with a pair of clutch game-winning two-point conversion catches in overtime wins against Louisville (2005) and Rutgers (2006).
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