'We didn't get a patsy'
Nehlen anxious to see if W. Va. can handle Ohio St.
Posted: Tuesday September 01, 1998 09:07 PM
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Mountainous expectations: Nehlen's Mountaineers are ranked No. 11 -- their highest ever in the AP Top 25 preseason poll AP |
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (AP) -- Ohio State coach John Cooper shouldn't
complain about opening the season on the road. At least his team
doesn't have to play the No. 1 team in the country.
"One thing's for sure, we didn't get a patsy," West Virginia
coach Don Nehlen said Tuesday as his No. 11 Mountaineers prepare
for Saturday's game against the top-ranked Buckeyes. "I'm anxious
to see how we react to this type of situation."
If he has to play the No. 1 team, this is the time to do it
because Ohio State might not be at its best, Nehlen said.
"If I play them in week seven, eight or nine, they'll be much
stronger than they are now," Nehlen said. "Get them now."
While much has been made of boisterous and intimidating crowds
at Mountaineer Field -- after a last-minute 1996 loss to Miami, West
Virginia fans threw a trash can that hit a Miami assistant coach on
the head -- Nehlen doesn't think Ohio State will be intimidated.
The game at 63,500-seat Mountaineer Field is a sellout. The
Buckeyes' Ohio Stadium seats 89,841 and Ohio State plays in front
of large crowds in the Big Ten every week.
"People who think we're going to pack this stadium and
intimidate them better think again," Nehlen said.
The game's 8 p.m. start is not ideal for Nehlen, who would
rather not have to wait all day to play the No. 1 team.
"There's no question sitting around all Saturday is a pain in
the rear," Nehlen said. "And by the time 67,000 people get out of
here [after the game], Cooper and I might as well watch the game
film together."
Some West Virginia players said this week they have talked about
keeping their emotions in check leading up to the game. Nehlen, in
his 19th year as West Virginia's head coach, said he too, has some
nervousness.
"I don't know if butterflies is the right word. Let's just say
I go to the john a lot, and when I get there, I don't know why I'm
there. That makes me nervous," Nehlen said.
Although Ohio State has a two-game losing streak with a
season-ending loss to Michigan and a Sugar Bowl defeat to Florida
State, Nehlen said the Buckeyes are deserving of No. 1. The
Buckeyes' defense returns nine starters and -- if he's declared
academically eligible this week -- 1997 Butkus Award-winning
linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer.
"That defense is just great at every position. I've followed
Ohio State for a number of years and I can't remember when they had
this many guys back," said Nehlen. "For us to have any kind of a
chance to win, we'll have to play as well as we can."
Nehlen said he expects Katzenmoyer, as well as Ohio State strong
safety Damon Moore and offensive lineman Rob Murphy, will be
declared eligible to play Saturday.
"I don't have a whole lot, but I'd bet you everything I have
that they'll be eligible," Nehlen said.
A West Virginia victory would be an upset but not an
unprecedented one. West Virginia's No. 11 ranking is its highest
ever in the AP Top 25 preseason poll and the Mountaineers return
players that are among the best in the country at their positions.
Tailback Amos Zereoue was the nation's third-leading rusher in
1997 and linebacker Gary Stills led the team with 12 sacks a year
ago.
As good as Ohio State appears to be, West Virginia can win
Saturday, Nehlen said.
"If I didn't think I could win, I'd go fishing and call in to
see how you did," Nehlen said.
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