By Andrew Hornback
The University of Louisville football team will look to win their first conference game of the year, this Saturday, Nov. 7, against the West Virginia University Mountaineers in Morgantown, W. Va.
West Virginia (6-2, 2-1) has beaten the Cardinals the past two years. However, in 2006, the Cards’ victory over the Mountaineers propelled Louisville to a Big East Championship and the Orange Bowl. The Cards haven’t won in Morgantown since a 9-7 victory in 1990.
One factor that will likely be key in determining the outcome of the game is how well the Cards defend the run. West Virginia ranks first in the Big East, with 182.5 rushing yards per game, while the Cards rank last in rush defense, allowing 147.4 yards per game.
Most of West Virginia’s rushing yards this season have been recorded by junior running back Noel Devine, who ranks 11th in the country, with 954 rushing yards. Last year against the Cards, Devine recorded 154 yards on only 13 carries.
As for the Cards, the status of sophomore running back Victor Anderson is still uncertain. If Anderson is unable to play, junior running back Bilal Powell and redshirt freshman running back Darius Ashley will once again carry the load on the ground.
Redshirt freshman Will Stein will start at quarterback for the second consecutive game. Stein completed 20-of-39 passes for 232 yards in his first game as a starter, against Arkansas State University.
Kickoff will be at 12 p.m., and the game will broadcast on the Big East Network.
