Temple's big quarterback also a threat as a runner
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel has some advice for his players who try to tackle 240-pound Temple quarterback Walter Washington.
"Be careful," Casteel said.
A year ago, Washington ran roughshod over the Mountaineers, who have no reason to believe he can't do it again when Temple (1-7, 0-3 Big East) visits No. 15 West Virginia (7-1, 3-0) today.
Washington leads the conference in rushing touchdowns and averages 200 yards passing per game.
Double trouble
"That's what makes him unique is his ability to present problems as a thrower, and he's going to be maybe the most physical running back we've seen all year," Casteel said.
Washington ran for 117 yards and four scores last year in a 45-28 loss to the Mountaineers.
He hasn't slowed down in 2004. Washington ranks seventh overall in the Big East -- and first among quarterbacks -- with 514 yards rushing, 9 ahead of his West Virginia counterpart, Rasheed Marshall.
"We didn't tackle him last year. He fell over us a few times, but we didn't tackle him," West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. "Even our linebackers aren't as big as he is, so you've got to get multiple people to the quarterback and kind of gang tackle him."
Record likely
Either Washington or Marshall will probably break the conference single-season QB rushing record of 666 yards set by Marshall in 2002. Marshall set the career mark earlier this season.
Marshall may have to do more running today because he'll be without his primary receiving target. Chris Henry was benched for at least the first half after drawing two unsportsmanlike penalties and an automatic ejection against Rutgers.
Henry has 39 catches this season, leads the Big East with 10 touchdowns and is second to Rutgers' Tres Moses with 647 yards receiving.
The next closest receivers for the Mountaineers are Miquelle Henderson with 11 catches, Eddie Jackson with 148 yards and Brandon Myles with two TDs.
Need chances
"It's all about opportunities," Henderson said. "There's plenty of guys at wide receiver who can do the same thing but like myself hasn't gotten that opportunity to do it."
Temple coach Bobby Wallace knows if Henry sits out, it may only be one less bullet in the chamber.
"If he does not play, it takes away maybe the threat of throwing it up deep, but they have other good receivers, also," Wallace said.
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