I would have never thought I would ever write a counter editorial to support Rich Rodriguez, but here I am. It is very disappointing Rich has decided to leave the Mountaineers, but even more disappointing, to read an article where Boosters are furious over WVU's decision to let Rich go to Michigan. Yes, I am upset he is gone. We all are. But we need to sit and reflect on what has transpired over the last two years and the two National Championship games that almost were. 1. Last years loss to South Florida was a game that should have been won. But it seemed we lost the game when Rich lost focus. He was distracted by Alabama. 2. This years loss to Pitt was a game that should have been won.But now it seems as if Rich was preoccupied with an opening at Michigan. Two games that changed the path of the teams potential to capture an elusive prize, A National Championship. Both games were lost do to integrity issues with Rich's commitment to his Team, the University, and the State. As recent as last Friday, he is quoted as "I am here to stay". We all thought he would never leave. Then on Saturday he tells Pastilong he is going to Michigan. Rich lied to his team, lied to the University, lied to the State,and lied to the Nation. Where is the trust? How could he have let his team down like this? I thought college football was about honor? Did we forget what being a Mountaineer is all about? I grew up with a teaching that a man was good for his word. You can tell a person's character by his actions. I may have misjudged Rich as I trusted everything I read. He was proud to be a Mountaineer, proud to be at West Virginia, and Proud of his Team. If this were all true, then why would he even entertain talking to Michigan? His actions speak louder then his words. He did not want to be at WVU. All the respect I had for a fellow Mountaineer is gone. Pat White and Steve Slayton should be credited with the hurry up offense. With out them WVU would not be where they are today. But the very team that made him into the coach he is today are betrayed by Rich's personal gain. The fact he called Terrelle Pryor before telling his own team he was going to Michigan is a major character flaw in my mind. He is raiding the prospects that are future Mountaineers. While Rich's stay at WVU is just another chapter in the programs legacy. Thanks for the memories, but I support the University 100%. We can not sacrifice honor, trust, or integrity to have a winning team. I am proud to be a Mountaineer! Are you?

____________________________________________________

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 24-2) vs #3 Nathan Morgan (Oklahoma St, jun, 18-4) Result: Morgan pins Rader in 4:27; Rader to wrestle for 5th Place Match Notes Bout 585 -- 1st Period: After some scrambling at the start, takedown for Morgan 1:00 in...stalemate...1:15...roll-through ends in a Rader escape...0:59 RT for Morgan...Morgan back in for a takedown...0:30...Morgan rides out the period. 2nd Period: Rader chooses down...escape Rader...stalemate...1:30...Morgan single, finishes for 2...0:45...turns Rader, working for a fall, and gets it at 4:27.

CONSOLATION FINALS - 5TH PLACE ROUND

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 24-3) vs Don Fisch (Rider, jun, 32-10) Result: Fisch pins Rader in 3:42; Rader finishes in 6th Place Match Notes 1st: a surprisingly quiet first period between Rader and Fisch. no score into the 2nd. 2nd: Fisch, with authority, elevates Rader and plants him on his back....Gets the FALL!!! Fisch, the unseeded wrestler from Rider with the Fall at 3:42.

NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES

Two EWL Conference wrestlers reached the tournament finals, televised tonight on ESPN at 8:00 PM. Edinboro true sophomore Gregor Gillespie (34-2) reach the 149-pound final in dramatic fashion as he upset previously undefeated Minnesota sophomore Dustin Schlatter, 3-2. One of Gillespie's two losses came at the hands of WVU sophomore David Jauregui on February 15th.

The other finalist is Pitt's #2 seed at 174 pounds, junior Keith Gavin (28-3). Gavin will be hard pressed to take home the title, though, as he must face off against unbeaten Missouri senior Ben Askren (36-0), the defending 174-pound champion who has not lost a match since the 2005 final.

The EWL has wrestled fairly well in the 2007 championships, sending ten wrestlers to the important round of 12 as eight of those went on to become All- Americans.

The 2007 EWL All-Americans:

125 6th Place: #9 Obenson Blanc (Lock Haven, jun, 34-8)

141 6th Place: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 24-4)

149 1-2 Place: #5 Gregor Gillespie (Edinboro, soph, 34-2)

157 5th Place: #11 Matt Kocher (Pitt, jun, 27-9)

165 7th Place: #7 Deonte Penn (Edinboro, sen, 37-4)

174 1-2 Place: #2 Keith Gavin (Pitt, jun, 28-3)

184 4th Place: #7 Alex Clemsen (Edinboro, sen, 37-4)

285 8th Place: #9 Mike Spaid (Bloomsburg, jun, 36-8)

In the team standings, WVU will finish in 28th Place with 21.0 points. WVU has no wrestlers remaining in tonight's championship finals, but neither do any of the schools behind them in the standings. Edinboro is currently in 11th place with 52.0 points, while Pitt is just inside the top 20 at #19 with 30.0 points.

Other noteable schools:

#33 15.5 pts Lock Haven (EWL)

#37 10.5 pts Bloomsburg (EWL)

#49 3.0 pts Clevemand State (EWL)

#60 1.0 pts Virginia Tech (ACC, formerly EWL)

#65 0.0 pts Clarion (EWL)

Minnesota leads overall with 92.0 points but has only one wrestler in tonight's finals. Iowa State is a close second with 84.5 points but can still win the title with their three finalists.

LINKS

Rogers is the only WVU grappler to remain in the championship bracket after upsetting the #11 and #6 seeds in yesterday's action. Dustin will face #3 seed Ryan "Bubba" Gritter (Central Michigan, jun, 30-5) in this morning's quarterfinal round. Rogers has already guaranteed himself a top-12 finish and needs to win one more match to garner All-American accolades.

The other four WVU wrestlers in the consolation bracket must win two consecutive matches to reach the round of 12 and three consecutive matches for top-8 All-American status.

WVU sophomore Brandon Rader is poised to become the first- ever four-time All-American at WVU despite losing a heartbreaking 14-13 second round bout last night. 141 pounds has proven to be one of the more solid weight classes this year, as the #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 #10 and #12 seeds all lost on the first day.

As a team, the Mountaineers remain tied for 28th place with 8.5 points. Fellow EWL member Edinboro flourished yesterday on the strength of three quarterfinalists. The Fighting Scots, with 17.5 points, are in 8th place.

SESSION THREE; FRIDAY MORNING

QUARTERFINALS

285: Dustin Rogers (WVU, jun, 19-7) vs #3 Ryan "Bubba" Gritter (Central Michigan, jun, 30-5) Result: Gritter 3, Rogers 1, OT Match Notes Surprisingly no real action in the first period. Gritter goes down to start the 2nd and Rogers cuts him. Rogers down and gets out right away. Gritter in on a double, but Rogers whizzers as time expires. Gritter gets a front headlock and scores a takedown 30 seconds into the extra period.

SECOND ROUND CONSOLATIONS

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 20-2) vs David Roberts (Cal Poly, sen, 13-9) Result: Rader 18, Roberts 3 (tech fall) Match Notes Bout 358 -- 1st Period: Rader strikes with a takedown in the first 10 seconds...Roberts out, and Rader right back in for 2 more...Rader cuts Roberts...Rader drops to a double for 2...Rader adds two back points...1:00...Rader aggressively controlling on top...0:20...Roberts works out for an escape at the end of the frame. 2nd Period: Roberts defers, Rader chooses down...Rader reaches around, gets the reversal and puts Roberts to his back...tack on three near-fall points for Rader...0:30...Rader rides out the period, with nearly 3:00 of total RT. 3rd Period: Roberts selects neutral...takedown, Rader...Rader with another tilt...earns the 3-point near fall for an 18-3 win in 5:32.

149: David Jauregui (WVU, soph, 21-5) vs Matt Moley (Bloomsburg, fresh, 26-13) Result: Moley 3, Jauregui 2; JAUREGUI ELIMINATED Match Notes PERIOD 1: With a Scoreless first period, Moley with chose down to start the Seocnd period; PERIOD 2: Escape by Moley with 1:40 left in the period; Stall call on Jauregui; PERIOD 3: Jauregui takes down, Stall warning on Moley; Escape Jauregui; Takedown Moley; with 15seconds left in the bout; Escape Jauregui to end the bout.

174: Kurt Brenner (WVU, soph, 20-7) vs Matthew Maciag (Wisconsin, jun, 15-10) Result: Brenner 14, Maciag 6, Major decision Match Notes PERIOD 1: Takedown Brenner and he's looking for back points; Escape for Maciag; takedown Brenner with 37 seconds left in the period PERIOD 2: Maciag takes down; Brenner lets Maciag up for the escape; Takedown by Brenner on the edge of the mat; Escape Maciag; Takedown Brenner; Escape by Maciag to head into the Third period; PERIOD 3: Brenner takes down, Escape Brenner with 1:56 left in the bout; Takedown Maciag ; Escape Brenner; 1 point locked hands for Brenner; Takedown Brenner

197: Jared Villers (WVU, jun, 26-6) vs Eric Lapotsky (Bucknell, soph, 27-5) Result: Villers 7, Lapotsky 3 Match Notes Lapotsky with a single and scores. Stall warning against Villers. Villers with the reversal. Blood time for Lapotsky. Villers with a tilt and two nearfall as the period ends. Blood time for Lapotsky. Lapotsky chooses down for the second period. Stall warning against Lapotsky. Villers rides the period out. Villers chooses down for the third period. Villers with the reversal. Lapotsky with the escape. Riding time for Villers.

THIRD ROUND CONSOLATIONS

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 21-2) vs Matt Ciasulli (Lehigh, sen, 31-7) Result: Rader 15, Ciasulli 6, Major Decision Match Notes 1st: Rader shoots a double with authority dumping Ciasulli to the mat. Escape Ciasulli, but another Rader takedown soon follows. Escape Ciasulli. Rader again with the takedown and rides him out. 2nd: we go neutral to start the 2nd. Takedown Ciasulli. Rader catches the arm and dumps Ciasulli to his back. Ciasulli able to bail, but gives up the reversal. Rader rides him out and now has well over 2 minutes of riding time. 3rd: Again neutral. Rader explodes on the whistle and scores on a double leg. Ciasulli rolls through and gets the reversal. Rader gets an escape and a gets a penalty point to take a 12-6 lead. Rader with the late takedown and wins 15-6 with riding time.

174: Kurt Brenner (WVU, soph, 21-7) vs Joshua Weitzel (Oklahoma, jun, 27-8) Result: Weitzel 3, Brenner 2, BRENNER ELIMINATED Match Notes Brenner scores first with a takedown. Weitzel with the escape. Weitzel chooses down for the second period. Weitzel with a switch for the reversal. Weitzel rides out the period. Brenner chooses neutral for the third period. Riding time is not a factor. Brenner in on a shot...Weitzel holding on...time expires.

197: Jared Villers (WVU, jun, 27-6) vs Hudson Taylor (Maryland, fresh, 28-9) Result: Taylor wind by pinfall over Villers in 1:29; VILLERS ELIMINATED Match Notes Villers around, but Taylor has the whizzer in, hits it and finally gets around for the TD...2-0 Taylor..Villers with some injury time...on the restart, Taylor pressuring, trying to get the half in...now Villers stands..Taylor tries to bear hug him down as he turns, but Villers gets on top for the 2reversal and 2NF, but before he can get a good hold on Taylor, Taylor gets the reversal for the 4-4 tie...Now Taylor with a front leg trip, and steamrolls Villers for the pin at 1:29

SESSION FOUR; FRIDAY NIGHT

FOURTH ROUND CONSOLATIONS

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 22-2) vs #4 Manuel Rivera (Minnesota, jun, 38-3) Result: Rader 9, Rivera 5; RADER = ALL-AMERICAN!! Match Notes 1st: Rader with the takedown and goes ahead 2-0. Escape Rivera after 68 seconds of riding time. 2nd: Rader chooses top. Escape Rivera, but Rader gets right in and scores his 2nd takedown of the match. Escape Rivera. Rivera catches Rader out of position and scoots around to tie the match. 3rd: Rivera chooses bottom and nearly gets cheap tilted for two. Rader ride time advantage builds to over two minutes. Rivera esacpes and needs a takedown to even this match, but Rader is the one who gets the takedown and wins 9-5 with riding time.

285: Dustin Rogers (WVU, jun, 19-8) vs #12 Wade Sauer (Cal St-Fullerton, soph, 28-12) Result: Sauer 9, Rogers 2; ROGERS ELIMINATED Match Notes 1st: Sauer in on a leg, but can't do anything with it. Takedown Rogers as Sauer falls into the scorers table. 2nd: Sauer comes storming out in the 2nd with a two takedowns and 3 nearfall to boot. 3rd: Sauer wins going away 9-2.

CONSOLATION QUARTERFINALS

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 23-2) vs Jeff Jaggers (Ohio State, soph, 20-9) Result: Rader 8, Jaggers 6 Match Notes 1st: Rader with the takedown on the edge 55 seconds into the period. Escape Jaggers. Rader in again and gets his 2nd takedown of the match. Jaggers out, trails by 2. Jaggers tries to go behind Rader, but Rader explodes with his hips and comes out on top for the takedown. Jaggers takes injury time. Rader puts Jaggers on his back for 2nf as the 1st period ends. 2nd: Jaggers escapes and now adds a takedown, trails by 3. 3rd: Rader underneath as the 3rd begins. Jaggers seems content to ride Rader out here in the 3rd. Nearly had Rader on his back, but falls 8-6 after receiving a RT point.

LINKS

I will be following our Mountaineer grapplers live via InterMat throughout most of the next three days and will try to share their results on here as quickly as they occur. So look for "live" coverage plus NCAA Wrestling news/notes/tidbits about our Mountaineers on this blog throughout the weekend!

The 2007 championships will now have four of the six sessions on live television with the finals in a primetime time slot on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 17. Session three will air at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16 on ESPNU and session four following at 7 p.m. on ESPNU and in syndication.

In my previous entry, I mentioned Parkersburg South's Chad Porter as a West Virginia native in the NCAA Tournament field. One other wrestler with ties to the mountain state, Ohio sophomore Jake Frerichs (19-8, MAC runner-up), actually wrestled for Nitro as a freshman and sophomore before his father transferred jobs into Ohio. Going by "Jacob" Frerichs, Jake finished 3rd in the 2001 WV state wrestling tournament at 103 lbs. as a freshman (44- 2) before finishing second in 2002 as a sophomore (125 lbs, 41-2). His career record as a WV wrestler: 85-4. Jake wrestled for fabled Ohio program St. Paris Graham and won an Ohio Division II title at 145 lbs. as a senior.

WVU SESSION ONE REPORT

Not a good start for the Mountaineers as Anderson & Fryling both lose their pigtail bouts...Fryling's match is rather disappointing as he was favored...Both wrestlers must now win five consecutive consolation matches to reach the top 8 (All-American status)

JARED VILLERS PULLS OFF THE UPSET!!! Villers 8, #6 Bergman 5

DUSTIN ROGERS PULLS OFF ANOTHER UPSET!!! Rogers 3, #11 Nadolsky 1 in Overtime!!

Mountaineer upperweights finishing STRONG! 3 of 7 wrestlers still alive in championship bracket.

WVU wrestlers currently tied for 28th place with 5.0 team points

PIGTAILS (Sort of like the play-in game)

133: Mark Anderson (WVU, Fresh, 12-16) vs Christian Staylor (Old Dominion, Sen, 20-8) Result: Staylor 6, Anderson 0 Match Notes Bout 1 -- 1st Period: 45 seconds in, no score...Staylor with the first takedown under 1:00...Staylor rides out period 1 with 0:43 RT. 2nd Period: Staylor defers, Anderson takes down...Staylor trying for the tilt, no luck...1:15 left...Staylor gets a 1-count on the turn, no points...off the edge, 0:51, Staylor still in control with 1:52 RT...under :30 left...Staylor rides out the entire period for a total of 2:43 RT, still leading 2-0. 3rd Period: Staylor chooses down...Anderson cuts him right away...Staylor on another shot and the takedown (5- 0)...wrestlers roll off the mat, injury time for Staylor...Staylor good to go with 1:19 left...Staylor continues the ride, warned for stalling (0:45)...Staylor over 4:00 RT as time runs out for a 6-0 victory.

157: Zac Fryling (WVU, Jun, 21-6) vs Jacob Yost (Chattanooga, Sen, 21-5) Result: Yost 9, Fryling 3 Match Notes - Fryling shot, throw by by Yost to back TD2 2pts Back. 4-0 1pt escape Fryling 50 sec left in 1st period. Yost 1 min Ride Time Period 2: Yost starts down. 1pt escape: Yost TD2 46 sec. left in 2nd Period. Stall call on Yost, 17sec left in 2nd period. Period 3: Neutral: Yost leads 7-1 with 1:53 ridetime. TD2 Fryling, Escape Yost.

Parkersburg native Chad Porter lost his pigtail match by 10-5 decision to Bakersfield's Daniel Atondo.

Former Nitro wrestler Jake Frerichs lost his first round match 7-3 to #9 seed Chris Oliver from Nebraska-Lincoln.

ROUND ONE

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, Soph, 19-1) vs Kyle Borshoff (American, Fresh, 16-13) Result: Rader 14, Borshoff 10, Match Notes 2 Rader right off the whistle witha double. Rader riding tough. Rader almost scores with a tilt, but Borshoff rolls through. Granby attempt thwarted by Rader. Escape for Borshoff. Takedown Borshoff witha single. Rader out with ease. Rader passes the arm with a drag and spears Borshoff to the mat. Borshoff goes down and gets the escape. Takedown Rader, Escape Borshoff. Rader goes down and gets a reversal with a switch. Escape for Borshoff. Good shot by Borshoff and converts for 2. Borshoff cuts him. 35 seconds to go. 2 more for borshoff. Cuts rader again. 4 seconds left. Desperation attempt gices rader 2 more. 1:31 riding.

149: David Jauregui (WVU, Soph, 20-4) vs Matt Coughlin (Indiana, Fresh, 27-14) Result: Coughlin 5, Jauregui 3 Match Notes Bout 75: No scoring for the first period. Coughlin chooses down for the second period. Coughlin gets the escape. Coughlin with a takedown of the couter. Jauregui chooses down for the third period. Jauregui with the reversal. Coughlin with a reversal and Jauregui gets the escape.

174: Kurt Brenner (WVU, Soph, 19-6) vs Ken Robertson (Eastern Illinois, soph, 19-6) Result: Robertson 8, Brenner 2 Match Notes Brenner with an underhook to a high crotch, but cannot finish right in front of the score table. Another high crotch unfinished by Brenner. Robertson scores on a single leg with 30 seconds left in the period. Robertson riding both legs hard to end the period. Robertson chooses down and gets a quick escape. Robertson forcing the action and Brenner is warned for stalling. Brenner warned again and Robertson gets the stalling point. Brenner shoots and tries to come out the back door, and Robertson is penalized for illegal head scissors. Brenner chooses neutral and gives up a takedown right away. Brenner adds another escape to close out the match 8-2.

197: Jared Villers (WVU, Jun, 25-5) vs #6 J.D. Bergman (Ohio State, Jun, 22-7) Result: Villers 8, Bergman 5 Match Notes PERIOD 1: Takedown villers, quick escape by Bergman, another takedown by villers, reversal and two back points by Bergman to end the first period. PERIOD 2: Villers takes down, follows with an escape to tie the match at 5-5; Villers get a takedown goes ahead 7-5 PERIOD 3: Bergman takes down, Villers building ridetime up over a minute with about 50 seconds left in the bout. Both wrestlers have a stall warning. Villers will finish on top to win 8-5

285: Dustin Rogers (WVU, Jun, 17-7) vs Spencer Nadolsky (North Carolina, Sen, 23-8) Result: Rogers 3, Nadolsky 1, OT Match Notes Bout 165 -- 1st Period: 90 seconds of scoreless action to begin...1:00...0:30...lots of leaning...end of period. 2nd Period: Rogers defers, Nadolsky chooses down...Nadolsky out almost immediately off the whistle...1:15...0:30...more leaning...end of period. 3rd Period: Rogers chooses down...Nadolsky hanging on around front...off the mat...1:30...escape for Rogers...Nadolsky with 0:27 RT...1:00 remaining...0:30...0:10...headed to SV, tied 1- 1. SV-1: Nadolsky tries a single, Rogers fighting away...Rogers counters, takes Nadolsky down to his back, no count...Rogers with the 3-1 SV-1 decision.

WVU SESSION TWO REPORT

Championship Round Two

141: #7 Brandon Rader (WVU, soph, 20-1) vs Michael Keefe (Chattanooga, sen, 30-6, Southern champ) Result: Keefe 14, Rader 13 Match Notes Bout 223 -- 1st Period: Takedown off the whistle for Rader...escape for Keefe, followed by a Rader takedown...Keefe peels away...1:15...takedown, Rader...escape, Keefe...0:20...Keefe gets a takedown as the period ends. 2nd Period: Rader starts down...Rader escapes...Keefe with the takedown to even it at 7- 7...Keefe riding, Rader RT back under 1:00...escape, Rader...Rader in for a takedown...Keefe reversal...Keefe rides out the last 0:15. 3rd Period: Keefe starts on bottom, trailing 10-9...Keefe peels the hands for an escape...Rader powers a double for 2...1:10...Keefe reverses, 12-12...stalemate (0:50)...escape for Rader...0:30...Keefe with a takedown at 0:17...RT not a factor...Keefe prevails, 14-13.

197: Jared Villers (WVU, jun, 26-5) vs #11 Chris Weidman (Hofstra, sen, 29-7) Result: Weidman 9, Villers 2 Match Notes Bout 314 -- 1st Period: Takedown for Weidman, Villers with the escape...1:00 left...0:30...Weidman with the late takedown, rolls Villers for a 2-point near fall as time expires. 2nd Period: Villers defers, Weidman chooses down...escape for Weidman...1:30...1:00...0:30...end of period. 3rd Period: Villers chooses down...escape for Villers...1:00...takedown, Weidman...0:30...stall warning, Villers...RT will not be a factor...Weidman advances with a 9-2 decision.

285: Dustin Rogers (WVU, jun, 18-7) vs #6 Ed Prendergast (Navy, jun, 36-5) Results: Rogers 8, #6 Prendergast 2 Match Notes ????

Consolation Pigtails

133: Mark Anderson (WVU, fresh, 12-17) vs Ricky Donald (Bloomsburg, soph, 25-11) Result: Donald 1, Anderson 0, ANDERSON ELIMINATED Match Notes Bout 171 -- 1st Period: No scoring in the first minute...Donald in deep, Anderson sprawls out, off the mat...1:00...stalemate...0:40, no scoring...handfighting and tie-ups...end of period. 2nd Period: Donald will start on bottom...Donald with the escape...off the mat...1:30...Anderson picks up a single, can't finish, out of bounds...0:45...Donald on the attack, Anderson hips out, stalemate...0:10...end of period. 3rd Period: Anderson selects neutral...Anderson on another shot, stalemate...1:30...1:00...0:30...Anderson aggressive on the shot, can't finish...Donald advances by a 1-0 decision.

157: Zac Fryling (WVU, jun, 21-7) vs Jake Frerichs (Ohio, soph, 19-9) Result: Fryling 4, Frerichs 3 Match Notes PERIOD 1: No Score with 1 min left in the first period. Take down Fryling followed by a quick escape by Frerichs. PERIOD 2: Neutral; PERIOD 3; Frerichs take down to start the third; Escape Frerichs. Fryling in on a double leg, takedown Fryling; Fryling lets Frerichs up score is now 4- 3 Fryling.

Consolation Round One

149: David Jauregui (WVU, soph, 20-5) vs Jermaine Thompson (Eastern Michigan, sen, 23-11) Result: Jauregui 5, Thompson 4 Match Notes NONE???

157: Zac Fryling (WVU, jun, 22-7) vs #8 Seth Martin (Lock Haven, sen, 35-6) Result: Martin 11, Fryling 1, FRYLING ELIMINATED Match Notes Bout 261 -- 1st Period: No scoring in the first minute...stall warning against Fryling...1:30...1:00...takedown, Martin (2- 0)...0:30...end of period. 2nd Period: Martin defers, Fryling takes neutral...1:15...stalling, Fryling, point for Martin (3-0)...0:40...takedown, Martin (5-0)...end of period. 3rd Period: Martin chooses down...escape Martin (6- 0)...Martin with a takedown (8-0)...1:30...escape, Fryling (8-1)...1:00...takedown, Martin (10-1)...0:15...Martin 2:00 RT for the 11-1 major decision.

174: Kurt Brenner (WVU, soph, 19-7) vs Grant Turner (Iowa St, sen, 17-15) Result: Brenner 9, Turner 4 Match Notes Bout 292 -- 1st Period: Brenner tries a shot on the edge, no points...Brenner converts a single into a takedown...Turner escapes...1:30...Brenner lifts Turner on his shoulder and dumps him for 2...0:45...escape, Turner...0:20...end of period. 2nd Period: Turner chooses down...1:30...escape, Turner...1:00...0:30...Brenner with a takedown at :01 to end the period. 3rd Period: Brenner chooses neutral...1:30...1:00...Brenner counters a Turner shot for a takedown...escape, Turner...0:30...riding time for Brenner (1:04) makes the final score 9-4.

LINKS

MSNsportsNET.com Wrestling Article

MSNsportsNET.com: Finishing the Job (Brandon Rader, Jared Villers)

Session One bout-by-bout results

Team Scores after Session One

Only one WVU wrestler is seeded - returning All-American Brandon Rader is seeded 7th at 141 lbs. He will face American's Kyle Borshoff (freshman, 16-13 record, 4th place finisher from the EIWA Conference) in the first round. Should Rader (soph, 19-1, EWL champion) win, he will probably draw Wisconsin's #10 seed Kyle Ruschell (fresh, 27-7, Big 10 runner-up) in the second round. If Rader gets by Ruschell, he will probably face his toughest competition to date this season, UC-Davis' unbeaten #2 seed Derek Moore (senior, 19-0, Pac-10 champ) in the quarterfinal round. Winning in the quarters guarantees a top-6 finish, therefore garnering All-American accolades.

WVU's other EWL Champion, junior Jared Villers (25-5), received a rather unlucky draw at 197 lbs. as he battles #6 seeded J.D. Bergman (Ohio State, junior, 22-7, Big 10 runner-up) in the first round. Should Villers pull off the upset, he will probably battle Hofstra's #11 seed Chris Weidman (senior, 28-7, CAA champ) in round two.

Three more WVU qualifiers with solid All-America potential include EWL Runners-up David Jauregui (149 lbs, soph, 20- 4) and Kurt Brenner (174 lbs, soph, 19-6) along with third place finisher Zac Fryling (157 lbs, junior, 21-6).

Jauregui has a good chance to win his first-round match with Indiana's Matt Coughlin (fresh, 27-14, Big 10 6th Place) before facing Oklahoma stud Matthew Storniolo (senior, 16-1, Big 12 champ) in round two.

Drawn into one of the larger weight classes, Fryling must wrestle a pigtail bout (a preliminary match wrestled before the first round) against Chattanooga's Jacob Yost (senior, 21-5, Southern champ) before having a chance to upset Northern Iowa's #10 seeded Moza Fay (soph, 29-8, West Region champ).

At 174 pounds, Brenner will probably face Maryland's #12 seed Mike Letts (fresh, 29-5, ACC champ) who must also wrestle a pigtail bout before potentially locking horns with Brenner.

The final two WVU qualifiers are looking to gain some NCAA experience and could surprise by stealing a few victories in the process. At 133 lbs, redshirt freshman Mark Anderson (12-16) picked the perfect time to get hot as he rattled off two major upsets in the EWL tournament to finish a surprising second. Anderson was rewarded with Old Dominion's Christian Staylor (senior, 20-8, CAA runner- up) in another pigtail match that will actually be the very first bout of the entire NCAA tournament.

Dustin Rogers (junior, 17-7) suffered the exact opposite fate of Anderson during the EWL Tournament as he endured a bizarre cold streak finishing 5th as the #2 seed. Rogers even lost a bout with Cleveland State heavyweight Rashard Goff by a 5-1 score - a wrestler Rogers absolutely destroyed in WVU's final dual match only a week prior in a 17-4 rout. Perhaps Dustin was a little under the weather during the EWL tournament, because the EWL coaches granted him another chance via an NCAA wildcard ticket despite his fifth-place showing. Rogers will face North Carolina senior Spencer Nadolsky (23-8, ACC runner-up) in the first round.

Wrestling begins Thursday at 11:00 AM!

Wild cards Unlike the NCAA Basketball Tournament in which a conference truly has no idea how many bids it will receive each year - the NCAA Wrestling Tournament actually awards conferences with "slots" based on merit earned in previous years. Depending on how a conference's wrestlers fared in the NCAA Tournament during a specified period over the previous years, slots may be gained or lost the following year.

Unfortunately for the EWL, a recent string of poor NCAA showings has resulted in a continuing trend of dwinding slots since 1999. Just eight years ago, the EWL had a whopping 41 available slots for their wrestlers to land NCAA bids. The conference was able to take the top 3 finishers in each weight class plus 11 wild cards. In 2000, it dropped to 39, where it remained until falling to 38 in 2003, 37 in 2004, 36 in 2005 and 35 last year.

Some slots were expected to be lost once Virginia Tech left to join the ACC three years ago, but the wheels came off the wagon last year when very few of the EWL's 35 wrestlers advanced through to the consolation round of 12 (the last match one must win to ensure All-American status, the base criteria in determining a conference's future bids).

The result: upstart conferences like the MAC and EIWA wrestled above and beyond their means as the EWL faltered, resulting in a loss of 3 bids to 32 for the EWL in this year's tournament while other conferences gained another slot or two. Rather than take the top 3 finishers in each weight class plus 2 wild cards, the EWL coaches chose to take only the top 2 in each class plus 12 wildcards.

Why? Because the coaches must take the best possible wrestlers to the national tournament - those with the best chance of reaching that elusive round of 12 (R12) - in order to help slow the alarming loss of EWL NCAA slots. In cases of strong weight classes (such as the EWL's 157 and 285 divisions) 5 wrestlers were chosen from each. This counteracts a few of the weaker EWL classes (such as 125, 165 and 184) in which only two wrestlers were selected.

Unfortunately for WVU, Chance Litton finished 3rd at 184 lbs but was passed over by the EWL coaches for NCAA consideration. In any previous year he would be headed to Detroit. But, the coaches know more than fans, parents and wrestlers and they have a vested interest in sending the EWL's top 32 wrestlers to the big dance - if they fare well, more slots may be available the following year.

West Virginia Natives in the Field Along with Brandon Rader (Parkers burg), the state of West Virginia sports one other native in the tournament field, Liberty's Chad Porter (165 lbs, fresh, 30-11, East Region Champ). Porter was a two-time state champion for Parkersb urg South, winning two AAA titles - at 152 as a senior (2006, 43-4) and 135 as a sophomore (2004, 27-5) while finishing second twice - at 152 as a junior (2005, 37-6) and at 119 as a freshman (2003, 27-12). Porter's prep record: 134-27, which is not too shabby for the national-caliber schedule Parkersburg South faces each year. With returning NCAA qualifier Larry Hall out this year at 165, WVU sure could have used Chad in his place.

Mountaineer wrestling fans were cautiously optimistic upon entering the Coliseum, as top WVU grappler Brandon Rader was penciled into the 141-lb. weight class in the night's program, a good omen that his injured finger was indeed fully healed and they would finally get to see him in action. But that initial enthusiasm was quickly tempered as the wrestlers lined up to shake hands during team introductions and the dreaded "No Entry" was announced as Edinboro's 141-lb. WVU opponent.

Ironically, the only WVU mat man to win against Edinboro in last year's dual meet loss would play a critical role Thursday night - by not wrestling at all.

The 15-1 Fighting Scots would therefore be benefactors of a 6-0 advantage over the 4-4 unranked Mountaineers, with only 9 wrestling bouts left to pull out the win. To do so would have been an incredible accomplishment, and after the first two matches it seemed even more insurmountable.

Sophomore walk-on Scott Stuart (2-11), filling in much of the past two seasons for injury-plagued Kyle Turnbull at 125 lbs, wrestled one of his better matches in losing by decision 8-3 to Eric Morrill (12-13). 3-0 Scots.

Edinboro sent hard-nosed sophomore Ricky Deubel (22-9) onto the mat at 133, while WVU countered with redshirt freshman Mark Anderson (9-13). Anderson found himself down 4-0 rather quickly as Deubel scored a takedown plus two nearfall points on a tilt, then shifted into cruise control in an 8-4 decision. 6-0 Scots.

Freshman Daryl Cocozzo (22-11), another solid young Edinboro grappler, walked to the center of the mat to receive his forfeit at 141 lbs; 12-0 Scots with only 7 bouts remaining.

With their backs against the wall, WVU sent sophomore 149- pounder David Jauregui (16-3) to face Edinboro's highest ranked wrestler, true sophomore Gregor Gillespie (26-1), a returning All-American who finished 7th in the nation in 2006. The first period went as expected: Gillespie jumped out to a 4-2 lead. Gillespie chose the bottom position to start the second period, and quickly escaped for a 5-2 advantage (there's that magic number combination, five- two). Jauregui then "flipped the switch" and took Gillespie down to make it 5-4. Gillespie escaped again and scored a takedown of his own for an 8-4 advantage, before Jauregui reversed him, then scored a penalty stalling point while Gillespie rested on bottom. WVU fans, sensing Gillespie was either sick or in worse shape physically than Jauregui, smelled blood and began calling for another stall penalty. The second period would end with Jauregui down 8-7, but the momentum had clearly shifted to the Mountaineers. Jauregui chose neutral to begin the third and took the All-American down again to lead 9-8. Another stalling point brought it to 10-8 before Gillespie escaped late for the 10-9 final. Jauregui scored what is perhaps the biggest win of his career, upsetting the 5th-ranked wrestler in the nation, and WVU was on the board down 12-3 overall. Gillespie's career record fell to a still-impressive 72-6.

Zac Fryling (17-5), a junior who redshirted last year while sitting behind All-American Matt Lebe, followed with another monumental upset over 10th-ranked senior Matt Hill (27-2) at 157. After a scoreless first period, a Hill escape in the second, and a Fryling escape in the third, the bout moved into overtime tied at 1-1. Hill was in the bottom position first and Fryling rode him out despite several restarts. In the second overtime, needing only an escape within 30 seconds to win, Fryling broke free from Hill's grasp in about half that time and then held off a final flurry in which Hill needed to score a late takedown to win. Hill's frustration began to show as time wound down and he delivered a few blows to the head, to which the referee quickly stopped the match and penalized him. As time ran out, Fryling pumped both fists in the air towards the crowd and muttered something the ref did not care for, and Fryling himself was also assessed a one- point penalty as the match ended 3-2. Ironcially, it was Hill who knocked off WVU's Lebe in the dual match last year, winning 6-4 in overtime. Fryling exacted a little revenge on Matt's behalf - Scots lead now cut in half, 12- 6.

The 165-pound weight class, on paper perhaps the biggest mismatch of the evening, found WVU junior Eric Connolly (6- 10) facing off against another returning All-American, No. 8 ranked Deonte Penn (28-2), the nation's 4th-place finisher in 2006. Penn made quick work of the overmatched Connolly as he scored the pin in 2:19. Edinboro now led, 18-6.

To reach victory, WVU would now have to win the remaining four bouts while scoring bonus points (major decision, technical fall, injury default, disqualification or pinfall) in at least one of them.

WVU sophomore Kurt Brenner (6-2), himself battling a shoulder injury much of the season, would score the Mountaineers' third major upset of the evening as he knocked off 18th-ranked Edinboro sophomore Phil Moricone (22-6) with a close 4-3 victory at 174 pounds. Moricone drew first blood with an early takedown, but Brenner quickly escaped. Leading 2-1 to start the second, Moricone began on bottom and escaped. With only about 15 seconds remaining, Brenner scored a late takedown and rode Moricone out to end the second. The third period began with both wrestlers tied at 3-3. It was Brenner's turn on bottom, and he escaped and fended off several Moricone takedown attempts over the remainder of the period to eke out the hard-fought victory. Deficit again cut in half, 18-9.

No. 10 Alex Clemsen (28-2), who came within one win of reaching All-American status in 2006, earned a tough decision over WVU true sophomore Chance Litton (16-10) by a score of 3-1 at 184 pounds. Clemsen took Litton down in the first, and the two exchanged escapes over the remaining two periods before Litton came close to scoring a late takedown that would have tied the match up at 3-3 sending it to overtime. The veteran Clemson fought off the charge and he practically sealed the team victory for Edinboro as WVU would need two pins in the final two weight classes to earn a tie. Scots lead, 21-9.

WVU's only other ranked wrestler besides Rader, junior 197- pounder No. 15 Jared Villers (21-5) returned the favor by fending off Fighting Scot senior Jim Gibson (18-7) by the same 3-1 score. WVU wrestling buffs may remember Gibson from the last time he wrestled in Morgantown, as he lasted a mere 13 seconds against #1 Greg Jones back in 2005 in a bout that was practically over before the announcer could finish introducing the wrestlers. Scots lead cut to 21-12.

In the evening's final battle, two solid heavyweights were expected to slug their way through a low-scoring defensive struggle that turned out to be one of the biggest routs of the night. WVU junior Dustin Rogers (14-4), a former JUCO national champion, practically scored at will landing six takedowns in a 17-4 major decision over sophomore Joe Fendone (22-7). Fendone could not muster a single offensive point as Rogers' relentless assault would have sealed the victory for WVU if a healthy Rader had wrestled and won by decision. Scots win by a final score of 21-16.

The boisterous crowd, pleased with watching the Mountaineers win 5 of the 9 wrestled bouts, exited the Coliseum with heads held high as many will return Sunday afternoon to watch this young team's final home dual meet of the season against Cleveland State at 1:00 pm.

NOTES: The WVU wresters do not field a senior in the starting lineup, which bodes well for the 2007-2008 year as long as they stay healthy and stay eligible...

Among the spectators Thursday night were football stars Steve Slaton, Pat White and Jarrett Brown - it's nice to see some of WVU's superstars come out to support their fellow athletes in other sports...

WVU's lineup, including Rader, features one freshman, five sophomores, and four juniors...

Edinboro wrestled Pitt the following night (Friday), destroying the Panthers to the tune of 37-3...

WVU's Zac Fryling posted his second straight upset of a top ten wrestler, as a week ago he upset ninth-ranked Seth Martin of Lock Haven, who handed Edinboro's Hill his only two losses...

Edinboro ties school record for wins in a season, previously set in 1987-88 and 1994-95, and wins the EWL dual meet title for the second straight year.

MSN Write- Up

Edinboro Write-Up

Until today I knew almost nothing about Noel other than his Scout and Rivals rankings and that he'd bypassed Florida State to become a Mountaineer. I'd heard a few quips about his perceived lack of intelligence made by a jealous Hokie fan, but disregarded this as an incredibly amusing irony. Upon discovering his solid verbal had been reduced to placating evasion, I employed the Google armory to determine fault. While others have been familiar with Noel's story for some time, I was truly unprepared for what I found. Long before he became the 15th highest ranked high school prospect, Noel's parents died of AIDS, he'd fathered two of his own children, and continues to fight real-life opponents that other recruits cannot fathom.

With a story like that, Noel was indisputably fated to be a Mountaineer. He may have attracted the attention of higher ranked programs, bigger stadiums, and warmer climates, but there is a reason Noel was drawn to WVU. We have built legends on the backs of guys who never had it easy - guys who fought for everything and still had nothing but aches and aspirations before they came here. Having more than once been referred to as a group of misfits, we take the small, play the young, and make NFL prospects out of walk-ons. From the words on Dan Mozes's wrist to the sad departure of Pat Liebig to care for his ailing father, very few of our players are without a story of their own. Here, at a smaller school in a state comprised of people who know personal struggle first-hand, these guys have found the off-the-field support they needed to honor those stories on the field.

While I believe he will find what he really needs as a Mountaineer, most important here is that Noel Devine DOES go to college, anywhere. For such a gift to go undisplayed would be a heart-breaking ending to his story.

In The Commonwealth of Virginia, custom plates run $10 a year. So, they are cheap and everyone has them.

Also, Hokies are everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

With a VA personalized plate with an emblem on it, you are allowed 6 letters. Obviously, every combination of H-O-K- I-E-S has been done. I was leaving Paul's Luncheonette on Friday after lunch, and happened to see a custom VT plate.

Apparently, this stellar Hokie thought he'd be creative and spell Hokies backwards.

Things went wrong. Very wrong:

Now, with the age of Photoshop, most people would think this is a fake. The VA DMA provides 'create a plate' online where you can see if the plate you want has been taken. To support my claim, here is a screenshot from the VA DMV shown that the plate is indeed taken.

Here are the 2007 Big East vs. ACC games:

With a new TV partnership with ESPN starting in 2007, look for an average of six Pac-10 games per year to air on ESPN or ESPN2, and the Big East may be the conference conceding the air time.

In years past, the Pac-10 has been unwilling to move games into less than desirable weekday timeslots. But that is beginning to change, as evidenced by the conference schedule released this past Friday.

New Thursday evening games feature Oregon at Arizona on November 15 and USC at Arizona State on Thanksgiving night, November 22. Both games will be televised on ESPN. The WVU-Pitt game was played on Thanksgiving night in both 2004 and 2005 before moving to the November 15 Thursday night slot this past year. With both television slots already taken, the Backyard Brawl is sure to move for yet the third time in as many years.

The Washington State at Washington Apple Cup game will be played on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, November 24, and the remaining four Pac-10 traditional rivalry games will be played on Championship Saturday, December 1. One of these games, Arizona at Arizona State, has already been slotted for either ESPN or ESPN2.

During the past couple of years, the Big East has owned ESPN on Championship Saturday with UConn at Louisville kicking off at noon and Rutgers at WVU starting at 7:45 in 2006, while Louisville at UConn landed the coveted ESPN primetime slot back in 2005.

But the Pac-10 has slowly moved in on the Big East's turf. Back in 2005, only one Pac-10 game was played on the final regular season Saturday: UCLA at USC, on ABC. Last year, FSN complemented ABC's USC at UCLA game by adding Stanford at Cal. And in 2007, the conference is doubling its Championship Saturday exposure with four rivalry games, as Oregon State at Oregon and the aforementioned Arizona at Arizona State joins those two games.

How much will the Pac-10's new deal affect the Big East television schedule? Fans should know within a few weeks, as the Big East normally releases its upcoming football schedule sometime during the first week in February.

Sources:

They have not only given us another place to get together, but a place to share our own WVU photos and much more.

I've learned that I have a problem, that WVU football is emotional for me and that this team, from Coach Rod to the guy who stole my folding chair at last week's tailgate, have become my family by proxy. (Ok, maybe not the chair thief, but I wanted to work that into the tirade). I've learned how to simultaneously toggle multiple message boards and news sources. I've learned how to follow the flight plan of any aircraft that leaves Morgantown, that you can piece together a public person's schedule by compiling bits of info from several slightly shady sources.

I've learned that I am painfully disappointed with the mountaineer fan base. The disappointment was planted in my heart the day of the South Florida game, when the heartbroken team walked of the field in silence - nobody applauded in thanks for their efforts that day, people left bitterly mumbling comments about wasted ticket money. But as the RichRod negotiations unfolded, my disappointment has overcome me like a virus.

Previously, Coach Rod was a celebrity - a local idol. Suddenly there is not a good word left for him in the Bible. If I were him and I happened upon any message board tonight, I'd go to Alabama too, because it seems as though everyone has turned their backs on him. We can argue over particulars - that it wasn't his leaving, but his execution of the negotiations, his so-called greed (a ridiculous claim), or his careful wording ("as long as they'll have me"), but in the end, to me at least, it feels as though we've let coach rod down.

Assuming his (potential?!) departure is rationalized with a lack of administrative support, both financial and otherwise, he's made a powerful statement about who he is as a man. He isn't currently asking for more money for himself. He's been fighting for increased staff salaries and the new academic center for years - the latter of which he offered to initiate with his own donation. Look at those two things - who is he fighting for there? He is looking out for his staff and his players. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they stand for their subordinates, and here is a man putting his professional integrity on the line for someone else's paycheck. A new academic center - a place where our players can balance the strain of a demanding athletic schedule with additional learning resources shows that Coach Rod cares about the futures of his players beyond their football careers. Very few will play professional ball, some even played at the college level primarily to fund their otherwise unattainable dream of a college education. Honorable demands - my respect for Coach Rod is only augmented by his respect for others.

I don't know what was (if it is) the proverbial line in the sand, maybe the administration came through with too little too late, or maybe he really was thinking about his own, personal goals beyond West Virginia University. While it hurts to see him go, he does have that right.

If RichRod does indeed leave to coach the Crimson Tide, it will be a sad day for West Virginia. The events have connected me with this state in a way that I had not before. I suddenly identify with the sadness of a down- trodden people, whose efforts to get ahead lead to perrenial dissapointment. Coach Rod represented all that is good about West Virginia - its heart and soul, its warm and supportive people, its determination to rise above its underdog status and achieve something great.

We, as the mountaineer nation, are hurting. I am sure there are a few others like me out there who have used the success of the mountaineers as a crutch - something to hold on to during hard times in our own lives. The idea of reversing the roles is frightening - are we strong enough as a fan base to support a rebuilding program as it leans on us?

The past day has made me realize that these events resemble a no-fault divorce. We are still in love with Coach Rod, and even though he still loves us he's found a new love and decided it's time to move on. And like any broken heart who can't let go, we revert to the childlike shame of ridiculing his decision only because the pain in our heart superceeds rationality and comprehension.

So here is my attempt to transcend that pain.. . .

Coach Rod, I thank you for making me a Mountaineer, because as I'm sure you know, there is no greater thing to be in life. I'm hurt that you left, I thought we'd be together forever, watch the boys grow into men and move on. In the end, I know that West Virginia will hold that special place in your heart that nobody else can fill. May the country roads always take you home, you will always belong here, and you will always be one of us.

You will be missed, season ticket holder, section 214, row 33.

It's my resolution from here on out not to be one of those fans that has recently come to disappoint me. If Earthly (more like financially) possible, I will be in Jacksonville, I'll be at the Spring game, fall fan day, and every single game next season.

You may view the final petiton results and submitted comments here...

I just sent it to:

Governor Manchin, Ed Pastilong, David Hardesty, Rich Rodriguez, Calvin Magee, Jeff Casteel, Rick Trickett, Herb Hand, Tony Gibson, Bill Kirelawich, Bill Stewart, Bruce Tall, Butch Jones, Shelly Poe, John Antonik, Mitch Vingle, Mike Casazza, and Kevin Kinder.

Here is the email:

=============

You may or may not be aware that we hosted a 24 hour petition drive to let the WVU Athletic Department know that we, as fans, are OK with paying more for Coach Rod.

In those 24 hours, we collected 99 pages of signatures and comments of how important Rich and his staff are to us.

You may view the final petiton results and submitted comments here...

I realize that this probably won't stack up to a hill of beans, but it is nice to read all the comments of what RR means to each person. You might enjoy it too.

Jim Dierwechter

P.S. Now my personal opinion:

Please do NOT be short-sighted on this. You keep quoting how this is a business like any other... and you need to balance the checkbooks.

Well, do what any other business would do... pass on the costs to the consumer, i.e. the fans. As this petition shows, we are willing to pay for the product WE WANT.

And, we want RICH.

=============================

I'll keep you posted if I receive anything (I doubt I will). But, again, I really enjoyed reading the comments from fellow Mountaineers.

1) His first start, against an athletic defense 2) New Year's Day bowl bid on the line 3) Prime-time Sat. night on ESPN

Trailing by 3 with 2:00 left, and he takes us down the field for the tying FG.

OT, hits Myles with a beautiful pass, after stepping up to avoid the pass rush. Then the 2-pt. pass.

Now, WVU's leadership needs to understand that "Greatness is (also) Learned" outside of the classroom. Being consistently at the top in athletics and academics will continue to attract potential students, athletes, and most importantly for your budget, FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS. 2010 = 30K students, while maintaining standards in and outside of the books, maybe given the right conditions for success. Football is not everything, but it certainly has brought many financial opportunities and accolades for the school not otherwise realized without sustained greatness.

A Mountaineer I will always be, and if I learned one important lesson while attending this fine institution, it is that, "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it." -Sophocles

Do the right thing WVU, take care of the man who has brought you to this level and has made us all proud. He's made an investment in this team, we've made an investment into this school, keep the circle going. He's our Coach and it's your job to keep it that way. If you don't, we will all be in a world of trouble, believe it.

If we lose Rich to Alabama, I think we have a far greater problem than just finding a new coach. I think we have to fix the problems that caused us to lose a great one. If we can't keep Rich, who could we keep?

It's no secret that Rich, compared to other coaches, is severely underpaid. Although if Coach Rod is genuinely interested in Alabama, I'm sure that it is NOT completely based on money. Rich wants to win. To win, WVU has to commit to winning.

Continuity breeds success. Replacing a coach every 5-6 years will NEVER amount to an elite program. Look what's happened to Utah since Urban Meyer left. On the flip side, look what's happened to the status of Virginia Tech football by being able to keep Frank Beamer. Continuity breeds success.

There are many components to a commitment from WVU, none more obvious than money. When we talk money, it's not necessarily directly for Rich. In fact, from what I know of Rich and what I've heard about the contract negotiations... "staff money" is one of the biggest problems.

The success of a head coach is largely related to the quality of his staff. To get a quality staff, you have to pay market value. To keep a quality staff, you have to pay above market value. Continuity breeds success. Unfortunately, WVU pays under market value AND expects the quality staff. Somehow, to this point, we've been able to accomplish that. Our current staff is top notch and we need to keep them.

So, now let's get specific.

Rich is the 3rd highest paid coach in the Big East. Over the past 4 years, we've been the best team and have by far the largest average attendance and best TV ratings in the conference... so why is Rich the 3rd highest paid coach? Rich makes $643,000 less than Bobby Petrino. That's 58% more than Rich.

Now the assistants... Back in June, Rich was seeking a $50,000 pay raise for each assistant. That would be $450,000 (9 assistants). If Rich went to Alabama, taking the expected pay for Alabama assistants, there would be well over $1 million available for that cause. I have been told that assistants would about double their current pay. All Rich was seeking was $50,000 per coach.

So, let's quickly total how much we're short in my personal assessment of market value.

First, make Rich the highest paid coach in the Big East, using SEC rates. His new salary? $2 million. We need $900,000.

Second, get the assistants their due. Match Alabama's model and bump the staff pay $1 million, distributed as Rich sees fit.

So, where do we come up with $1.9 million?

To answer that question, we need to see where we differ from other "big time" schools. Specifically, I gathered some data with the help of BamaMag.com and Inside The Ville's message boarders.

WVU seems to be in line with average ticket prices, although a little under those of our "peers". WVU's range from $32-$35. Louisville from $32-$38, and Alabama from $40-$45.

This year, we had 7 home games. Next year, we only have 6. Using data gathered from my buddy Mark DeVault's MountaineerStats.com, we're averaging 58,518 this year. Without the dismal USF game, we're averaging 59,663. So, if we took the worst-case of 6 home games and multiplied it by an average attendance of 58,000, that's 348,000 tickets. If we do a modest ticket price bump of $3/ticket... that's an additional generated revenue of $1,044,000.

OK, we have $856,000 to go.

Now, here's where WVU really differs from schools in our "class". The donations. I am a Director's Level donor in the Mountaineer Athletic Club. We have Red Zone seats. Essentially, to sit in the Red Zone, there is a required donation of $300 per ticket (+ the ticket price). To many of you, this may seem like a lot. But, compared to the similar structures of the Louisville and Alabama athletic clubs, it's a bargain.

Without going into all the differences, I can simplify it greatly. My donation level gets me seats on the 27 yard line. My donation level is the same as those sitting on the 50. This donation level is also the same for those sitting in the upper deck on the 35. In total, there are 11 sections in Mountaineer Field that are Red Zone seats, i.e. the same donation level (see: http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?section=9606).

With the help of a nice lady at the WVU ticket office, I came up with the following assessment. Each Red Zone section is a little different in the number of rows and number of seats in each. But, as a rough estimate, let's figure on 44 rows, 30 seats wide. Now, if we re-classify the 4 best sections in the Red Zone, i.e. those between the 40s on each side, we have just matched the practices of our competitors.

Specifically, at Alabama those 40-50 yard line seats require up to a $1,000 donation. At Louisville, it's up to $700. At WVU? $300. Each section sits about 1,320 people (44x30). 4 sections is 5,280 people. If we bump these 4 sections to a still-below-market-value of $500 donation, that's an additional $1,056,000 in revenue. So, now we not only have our $1.9 million of wishful thinking money, but we have $156,000 to boot.

We, as a fan-base, have been spoiled with getting incredible personnel for well below their value. To survive, to compete, to endure the tribulations of college football, we cannot expect to keep doing that.

The above scenario is only one example of how creativity can solve problems. I'm sure many of you could derive your own ideas. If that's true, then what's the problem? Why can't there be one "scenario" that works to get it done and keep these guys here? They, and we, deserve nothing less.

I'm not a rumor-spreader, and I'm not one quick to bite on some stranger's "inside source". So, I've been trying to rely on facts and credible sources, as few and far between as they may be.

When the Dominion Post states that an ABC affiliate in Alabama informed them RR would be announced as the new coach soon (see the DP today, November 30th), and hours later retracted the story... what's up?

When the Charleston Daily Mail cites possession of flight logs for a plane registered to The Tide Pride flying from Tuscaloosa to Lewisburg, WV for about a half an hour excursion, and then flies back... what's up?

When "possibly credible" sources, such as the host of a UA sports radio program, columnist to BamaMag.com, and Ivan Maisel from ESPN post updates that RR has been contacted... yet RR denies any such contact... what's up?

It is now Thursday. I listened to the Coach Rod show last night, and I accept his words to be genuine. Over the past day and a half, I just wonder how we got here...

Would you leave Pat and Steve (as sophomores) and a team slated for greatness next year, your alma mater, your hometown area, and demi-God status here? ... especially for a place (Alabama) shown to be quick triggered when it comes to firing coaches?

Rich has so much "fan-credit" in the bank, that it would take season after season of failure for people to turn on him. At Alabama? 8-4 and bye bye.

Don't think we don't have our hopes on greater things than 8-4 too. In fact, if he wants a national championship, it's obviously easier to do it from WVU than it is from Alabama in the SEC.

I can only hope, like many of you, that this is a bargaining chip to get what he wants here. Lord knows that people like Herb Hand can never be appreciated enough. I read that our assistants would about double their pay at UA. Wow.

So, I think I've finally made it to the point of making a point. If the "rumors" are true... obviously there's a lot we don't know about the association of (RR and his staff) and the University. As I mentioned above, on the surface, why Alabama? Why now?

It amazes me how much I care about this program. Yet, it's probably not any more than you (the one reading this). My inner-fabric is hoping RR stays one of us. If he goes, I think we have a bigger problem than just finding a new coach. We will need to correct the problems that caused us to lose a great one.

If we can't keep RR... a WV native, a WVU alum, a Cheat Lake dad, and a guy previously quoted as saying this was his "dream job"... who could we keep?

We all knew Don Nehlen's tenure was an exception to the rule. But, perhaps we never accepted that knowledge.

Here's to hoping my son walks on to play football for WVU in 2014... for Coach Rodriguez.

I asked Mr. Tranghese if he had spoken to the Gator in relation to who they'd prefer... WVU or Texas.

His answer... "Yes".

But, he said that's all he wanted to say, and that he had talked to some Athletic Directors about that. He said something along the lines of...

"Of course, your interest is on West Virginia, and they still have to play Rutgers."

And, he mentioned that committees have opinions on Monday that may not be the same on Friday. So, no matter what they discussed, it could still change.

Basically, he was polite about it, but would not expand on the content of the conversation(s) with the Gator. But, WVU is being discussed.

However, my personal sense (perhaps on the optimistic side) was that WVU-Clemson would be enticing, and WVU's chances in the Gator completely hinge on us beating Rutgers. Without him saying so, I came out of that conversation with the sense that the Gator just might be swaying to us.

Sorry this wasn't more informative, but I wanted to pass along this little conversation I had with Mr. Tranghese today.

UPDATE: 28-NOV-06: A great write-up by the Charleston Gazette points out that the Gator needs to do 2 things to help their cause in finding a new sponsor next year...

However, Pitt still is looking for the mysterious "speed pill", and the Cardinals looked like a team ready for a BCS challenge.

Perhaps I'm the perennial optimist, but here are some new thoughts from my silver-lined cloud. Are you kidding me? Could it still be true? I broke down the BCS bids, and discovered a chance for WVU just yet.

Before we begin, we have to announce the new BCS rankings. WVU is #15. To be eligible, we have to be top #14. But, thankfully, Rutgers is prey at #13 for our bump-up chances. Plus, #9 Arkansas must play #4 Florida, and #12 Oklahoma must play #20 Nebraska. If Arkansas and Oklahoma lose, we should jump to at least #12.

Before Rutgers lost, everyone was assuming a 3-way tie for the Big East title, as if WVU beat Rutgers, each of RU, UL, and WVU would be 6-1 in conference. The tie would first attempted to be resolved by defining a "mini-conference", as follows... each of the 3 teams would be 1-1 against the other 2. So, the tie would need to go to the 2nd tie-breaker, which is the BCS ranking. So, in the event of the previously expected 3-way tie, the highest ranked team in the BCS would get the Big East's bid. Again, in this previously expected scenario, WVU would have been that team.

However, Rutgers losing now makes the likely scenario to be a 2-way tie between WVU and UL. In this event, UL would get the bid because of the head-to-head win against us.

So, with that "common knowledge" out of the way, let's start talking about how WVU could still get a BCS invite. All scenarios are based on WVU winning out. Although I personally am taking nothing for granted, the analyses below assume that.

There are 10 teams in the BCS, 6 of which are derived from the designated conference champions... leaving 4 "at-large" teams.

Amongst the many clauses of the BCS, they begin with: To be eligible for a BCS at-large invitation, a team must be in the top 14 of the final BCS.

AT-LARGE #1:

Clause: If Notre Dame is in the top 8, then they are an automatic invite.

However, I find little value in this rule, as if Notre Dame is eligible, i.e. in the top 14, they most likely will be selected anyway. So, essentially, if Notre Dame is in the top 14, then they will get an invite.

Notre Dame is currently #5 in the BCS. Their only game left is at #3 USC. It would be hard to imagine a scenario where, even if they lose, they would fall outside of the top 14. So, consider Notre Dame as at-large #1.

AT-LARGE #2:

Clause: Any team from a non-BCS conference gets an automatic invite if they do either of the following:

a) They finish in the top 12

b) They finish in the top 16 and finish ahead of a BCS conference champion

Boise State is currently #11. And, each of the possible champs of the ACC (Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College, and Maryland) are #16, #20, #18, and #26 respectively. So, unless Boise State loses at Nevada in their final game, consider Boise as at-large #2. However, I would like to go on record that Boise very well could lose this week.

AT-LARGE #3:

Clause: A BCS conference team that didn't win their conference's automatic bid, yet finishes at #3, will get an automatic invite as an at-large.

Michigan is currently #2.

AT-LARGE #4:

Clause: A BCS conference team that didn't win their conference's automatic bid, yet finishes at #4, will get an automatic invite as an at-large if (and only if) no team qualified the same way as the #3 team.

WVU is currently #7. If LSU beats #6 Arkansas in their final game, and then Arkansas beats #4 Florida in the SEC Championship, that means 2 teams ahead of us will lose. #3 USC and #5 Notre Dame play each other. One must lose, so make that 3 teams ahead of us that will go down. Put us at #4 then.

So, if Michigan finishes at #2, we are an automatic at-large by finishing in the top 4. However, if Michigan finishes at #3, we don't get an automatic bid by finishing at #4.

If we don't get the AUTOMATIC at-large by finishing #4, let's look at how we could be "selected" for the 4th at-large.

There appear to be 3 legitimate options for who will play Ohio State in the BCS Championship. Let's see what each option brings. But first remember, no conference can earn 2 at-large bids to the BCS

Dad is usually a bit of a skeptic, and I the consumate optimist when it comes to how we'll do and that will be our pre-game warmup discussion. He'll say how good UL's offense is, and I'll say that we'll score more points than UL will. He'll say that UL will shut down our running game, and I'll counter with the fact that we'll come out throwing and that PW has more TD's this year than Brohm. I'll list the keys to the game, including taking an early lead to take the crowd out like we did at the Sugar Bowl.

In the end, we'll toast the Mountaineers with our final beer of the evening, long after Mom has gone to bed.

***************** Remeber how last year it got out about VT making available for pre-order FedEx Orange Bowl Shirts? Some WVU fan made a nice little collage (at bottom)

ENJOY! ***************** Tonight, I'll be at All Sports Cafe ('where the goal is to score') watching the game at a WVU Blue Ridge Alumni Chapter hosted event.

I gotta say Mike Chapman (Chappy) does one hell of a job with this chapter!.

***********************8 Here's the kinds of 'accolades' Tek gets around here- Congrats- you beat a bunch of nuns at basketball...

Lady Chokies beat Nuns to be.

This is my first blog- so I just gotta say GO EERS!

Croaky Joeky Chokey My- Lose Lose VPI!

By the way, if'n my good buddy in L'ville comes through and gives me the word on Thursday morning that he's got two tickets in hand for the WVU game, you can bet jurass I'll taking ahalf day and heading WEST!

I'm sure our 6 hour drive will feature previous seasons' highlight DVDs, including last year's UL game. I'm sure I'll lose my voice Wednesday night somewhere. I'm sure win or lose, it'll be another road trip well worth it.

Here are a couple of things I wanted to make sure everyone traveling to Louisville was aware of...

I think I will be a nervous wreck by the time kickoff arrives. So nervous, I may not even watch. Out of sheer superstition. I usually tape the games anyway. 2003 Va. Tech game? Didn't watch until the 4th qtr. Ditto 2002 at Blacksburg, 2002 at Pitt, and 2005 against Louisville.

I walked this morning 10/21/06 in Warwood, north of Wheeling, and finished 2nd in my age group after a convincing win last night at UConn.

Today, like most days, my "day job" was enhanced by ESPN Radio streaming in the background. Combine that with a 105 minute commute between Fairmont and Morgantown because I-79 was closed for an accident... which meant I got a fill of Sirius Radio and then the Statewide Sportsline. Here's a summary of what I learned today.

1) The All-Criminal-Conference (ACC) is just that. A one game suspension for brawling... that's hilarious. Randy Edsall recently kicked 5 players off the UConn football team merely for buying beer... and most of them were over 21! Contrary to the statements of Miami and the ACC, Larry Coker does not have control. Randy Edsall... he has control. The ACC cited an interest in academic and institutional reputation when they recruited Miami. Again, that's hilarious. A one game suspension for 12 of the 13 they've fingered. Hilarious.

2) The beauty of the computer polls... WVU ranges from 5th to 22nd amongst the 6 polls. 22nd? Jeff Sagarin and his Elo-Chess formula don't like WVU football. Likewise, the WVU Chess Team is also getting the shaft from his Elo-Football formula.

3) On the other hand, Richard Billingsly has us 5th. Know what I learned today? RB uses last year's finish as the initial starting point for rankings this year. Most of the computer polls start with "empty" values, and await until week 4 to consider themselves to have enough data for an initial "base". Not RB. So, although I'm loving the RB poll right now (it's WVU's best of the 6), I hardly consider it fair to involve 2005's campaign at all.

4) The WVU defense, at this point in the season, is statistically better than last year's. John Antonik had a great article on MSN today on that.

I am a Philadelpia Eagles fan... which embeds an appreciation of the bend-don't-break defense. Jimmy Johnson's (not the blow-dried JJ that founded Thug U) defenses perennially were the class of the league in scoring defense, but not total defense. As such, I have come to realize that I'm not as freakazoidal as others on the essence of this year's defensive units. Once we get past running just the base sets, we'll be even more "statistically significant".

5) Despite my assessment above, I still was shocked about the manner in which the deep ball was successful in the first half versus Syracuse. We had two 10 year olds sitting with us this week... one plays safety and one plays outside linebacker for a local youth football team. Both kids know the cardinal rule of a safety. I read today "why" the safety was burnt... but I still don't understand it. I equate this to missing the bunt on a suicide squeeze.

6) Cincinnati is for real... despite their 3-4 record. If Grutza puts 2 more feet on that running heave, it's a 14-13 Cincy lead at halftime in Columbus. The Hokies needed every second to prevail in Blacksburg. Louisville suffered the same plight at home as VaTech. That's 3 road games against major competition. Yes, it's 3 losses... but it's 3 tough showings. So, when the Bearcats come rolling into Morgantown on November 11th, I hope we're ready.

7) I really, really, really wish Marshall would quit blowing 2nd half leads. Our strength of schedule is suffering for it. However, the current record of our last 5 opponents is 26-7. That should help down the stretch. "We Play For Championships"? Marshall is 1-8 in their last 9 games... and the lone win was against Hofstra.

8) It's mid-October and the Big East already has 4 teams bowl-eligible. If things go wacky enough, there are permutations of all 8 teams getting to 6 wins, as the NCAA voted this year to consider 6-6 as bowl eligible. 7 of the 8 being bowl eligible is less wacky, and 6 of 8 is realistic.

9) Marlon LeBlanc, head coach of the WVU men's soccer team, had a great comment on the Statewide Sportsline tonight. WVU has the best "football" program in the country. Each of the "football" team, and the men's and women's soccer/"futbol" teams are in the top 10. No other school can make that claim.

Kirk Herbstriet said it best that ever since Michael Vick led them to national title game they have been getting big time recruits. Big time recruits that forgot about the lunch pail attitude that made Tech a power and got a me first attitude that focuses on getting them to the NFL.

GO MOUNTIES!!!

Tonya moved to South Carolina. We miss her!

For the not-faint-of-heart, see the basis for my Big East Stength of Schedule / Out of Conference tracking: http://www.tellshowbcs.com/SOSP.html

Anyway, here's this week's list of who to root for... in regards to improving our strength of schedule by rooting for Big East out-of-conference opponents. I've eliminated the teams with byes, Div 1-AA teams, those playing a Big East team this week, and those that already played (UCF @ Marshall).

Plus, we all know that any WVU fan is rooting for Michigan State over Michigan, Washington over USC, etc. But, today's blog is solely based on BE OoC Sos. If you understand what I just wrote, you are within the demographic for this article.

Number of games versus the Big East in parentheses.

As a result, WVU's projected strength of schedule dropped from #72 to #81.

I have amassed the list of Big East out-of-conference (OoC) opponents this year, eliminating the ones that either have a bye week or are playing a Big East team this week (and, one already played on Tuesday... UCF).

In today's day and age, it's hilarious, yet deflating, to realize that the Arkansas State @ FIU game might matter to the pursuits of WVU. Yes, that game is a small fragment in the sum, but the accumulation of these small values is why our projected strength of schedule is in a quandry. See: http://www.tellshowbcs.com/SOSP.html

If you are a WVU fan, or a supporter of the Big East in general, here's your "who to root for" guide for the weekend of September 30th, 2006. As I mentioned above, this excludes the obvious ones... come on Iowa! Plus, I can't wait to watch real grass in HD with the overhead cam on ESPN tonight, as I hope my remote energy is what catapults South Carolina over Auburn.

Number of games against the Big East in parentheses.