Staff Reports
Tristatesportspage.com

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall had barely showered and dressed following an important and exciting 34-27 Conference USA win at Southern Mississippi when the Herd’s thoughts began to move in a different direction.

“There was a little chatter on the plane (last) Saturday night,” said Herd coach Mark Snyder.  “We’ve got a little chemistry going and a little confidence. You can feel that a little bit. As soon as we wrapped up the awards Sunday, all the attention went to WVU.”

The Herd will have its full attention pointed in the direction of Mountaineer Field Saturday when the annual intrastate rivalry resumes.

The game is not only the fourth straight year the two teams have met, it will mark the first time friends Snyder and first-year WVU coach Bill Stewart match wits.

Stewart, one of three former Marshall assistants on the WVU staff, looks forward to catching up with Snyder, but he is very much aware of how to keep from mixing work with pleasure.

“I think Mark Snyder is one of the best character men in the game today,” said Stewart. “I’m happy for the success he’s had after the mess he took over … the attitudes and things and problems and probation.

“You always want to beat your instate rival. I hope (Snyder) wins them all but this Saturday. This is the most important game on our schedule because it’s our next game on our schedule.”
Snyder agreed.

“It’s not going to be friendly Saturday. The governor stepped in and made this thing happen. It’s great for our state and I think Bill understands that,” said Snyder.

West Virginia has won all seven meetings between the two schools including 48-23 last season after the Herd led 13-6 at the half. However, Snyder said the gap is starting to close.

“Our deal was to make this game competitive. I think we’re getting closer to that. Talk is cheap, but I think we are getting closer to catching up with them. That’s when it becomes fun,” said Snyder.
 

With the win over Southern Mississippi the Herd is now 2-1 with the only loss at powerhouse Wisconsin. West Virginia is just 1-2 after losing to East Carolina and 17-14 in overtime last week at Colorado.
 

The Mountaineers had a chance to take a lead in overtime but Pat McAfee missed a 23-yard field goal attempt.

“Our special teams did a tremendous job. Everything went well with our kicking game until overtime. It was a very tough loss,” said Stewart.
 

“They are about a yard or a half-yard from being the same as last year,” said Snyder.

“I thought I would turn on the film and see a bunch of differences and I don’t. They are just a foot away from breaking it the distance on a whole bunch of football plays.”

Gone is All-American running back Steve Slaton to the NFL, but the Mountaineers still have quarterback Pat White and running back Noel Levine.

“Pat White’s ability to make big plays is why I think he is the most dangerous player. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat to score running or throwing,” said Snyder.

“The problem is you can’t hit him every play. You’d like to be able to hit him every time he does that little give read. Unfortunately, we’re not allowed to. It’s against the rules.”

Snyder is equally impressed with the defense.

“The (3-3-5) is a good system. You are going to have the ability to pop a couple of big plays, the question is, can you sustain a drive? That’s what I don’t see happening against West Virginia,” said Snyder.

Stewart said Marshall’s win at Southern Miss left him and his staff impressed.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us. They are playing awesome. They’re hitting on all cylinders. They have three super (kick) returners. They’re playing a super back in there. They’re fast and they’re big,” said Stewart.

Besides Stewart, the other former Marshall assistants on the WVU staff are Steve Dunlap — the Herd’s defensive coordinator last year — and recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Dave Johnson.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The game will air on WRVC-AM 93 and WDGG-FM 93.7 radio and WCHS-TV 8.