CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's West Virginia preview

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West Virginia Mountaineers

Talented WVU looks to sneak up again

College Football: The New Century

'99: 4-7, 3-4 Big East

Coach

Don Nehlen (21st season, 142-88-4; 195-123-8 overall)

Key offensive players

Brad Lewis, QB, Jr.
Strong-armed Lewis proved to be a gutsy backup, but he'll need a breakout season to keep the Mountaineers in games and defenses off the back of runner Avon Cobourne.

Avon Cobourne, RB, So.
The shifty Cobourne, the nation's leading first-year rusher last season, will need another big year -- especially early, while Lewis gets settled.

Khori Ivy, WR, Sr.
Nehlen should send the NCAA flowers for approving Ivy's petition for an extra year of eligibility.

Key defensive players

Jason Davis, DE, So.
Nehlen not only went to a lighter, faster front, he benched ex-starter Mark Thurston for the strong Davis, who played as a true freshman.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Major Harris, QB, 1988-90
"Led the Mountaineers to the national championship game in 1988."

Brightest Moment: The date was Nov. 19, 1988. West Virginia, led by quarterback Harris, defeated Syracuse 31-9 in the season finale to complete an undefeated regular season en route to a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

Lowest Moment: On the same date, but 28 years earlier (1960), WVU lost to George Washington by 26-0 to complete a 0-8-2 season in coach Gene Corum's first year in Morgantown.

Rick Sherrod, FS, Sr.
Sherrod, a hard hitter, is the only player in the secondary with game experience.

Key newcomer

Grant Wiley, WLB, Fr.
The redshirt freshman -- who has drawn raves from defensive coordinator Steve Dunlap -- will take over the weak side.

Throwback player

Wes Ours, a 6-1, 280-pound bowling ball, who started his college career at fullback, moved to defensive line, switched to offensive guard, then returned to fullback. And didn't complain a whit.

21st century player

Antonio Brown, a wideout who averaged a 4.18-second clocking over 10 40-yard dashes. That beat the program's records set by ex-Olympic gold medal winner James Jett.

Fast fact

Two years after his 1986 team went 4-7, the Mountaineers were playing for the national title in the Fiesta Bowl. Three years after Nehlen's 1990 team went 4-7, WVU made the Sugar Bowl.

Outlook

WVU could be a surprise within the Big East's second tier. The Mountaineer defense, featuring a lighter, faster front, looked much improved during the spring. Cobourne, the Big East's 1999 rushing champ, returns. And the Mountaineers barely lost to Miami and Virginia Tech toward the end of last season. WVU thumped Pitt 52-21 in the season finale. Lewis, his offensive line and the defensive secondary have to improve.

-- Mitch Vingle