Middle linebacker Reed Williams will play, if not start, and receiver Wes Lyons of Woodland Hills High will join him in the West Virginia lineup for their 2008 debuts, coach Bill Stewart said yesterday. And expect to see more of tailback Noel Devine, who rushed or caught the football just 15 times in each of the opening two games -- anywhere from eight to 14 fewer per game than Stewart prefers.
Stewart hasn't changed the depth chart since a Sept. 6 loss at No. 15. East Carolina, but he did sprinkle in a few new ingredients for the No. 21 Mountaineers heading into Thursday's date at Colorado.
"Reed Williams will play,"
Stewart said of the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP from last season, before he had offseason surgery on both shoulders. "We couldn't block him [in Sunday's practice]. He's ready to go. He's just one guy, but he's one special guy."
William's return means Gateway's Mortty Ivy will go back to strong-side linebacker.
Stewart added that the junior receiver Lyons is hale enough to play his first Mountaineers game since arthroscopic surgery in August: "He's earned it. He'll help us."
As for Devine, Stewart said: "I wish you hadn't brought that up. If he can touch it 18 to 22 times out of the backfield, five to seven times on screens and that. ... We will really try to get the ball in the little guy's hands more, yes we will."
Among a couple of other changes, Pat Liebig moved into starting defensive end, and some offensive line reserves are expected to play more, Stewart said.
Oregon
Quarterback Justin Roper will be out two to four weeks because of a partially torn ligament in his left knee. Coach Mike Bellotti said Roper injured his knee late in a 32-26 overtime victory at Purdue Saturday and that preliminary reports indicate a partial tear of Roper's medial collateral ligament. The No. 17 Ducks host Boise State Saturday. The team is expected to use backup Jeremiah Masoli and true freshman Chris Harper at quarterback.
East Carolina
Linebacker Quentin Cotton is likely out for the season after injuring his right knee in the Pirates' recent victory against Tulane. Cotton, one of East Carolina's top defensive players, was hurt in the second quarter during a goal-line stand in the Pirates' 28-24 come-from-behind win. Cotton has two interceptions and 1 1/2 sacks this year. East Carolina likely will also be without left tackle Stanley Bryant, who is out indefinitely after injuring his knee.
Rutgers
Linebacker Marcus Witherspoon has joined Rutgers and will be eligible to play for the Scarlet Knights next season, coach Greg Schiano said. Witherspoon enrolled at Michigan, was there this summer then left the school. Witherspoon is enrolled in classes at Rutgers and is eligible to practice with the team.
Texas A&M
Quarterback Stephen McGee is throwing again after spraining his shoulder, but coach Mike Sherman hasn't decided if he'll play against Miami Saturday. McGee was injured early in a game against New Mexico Sept. 6, and sophomore Jerrod Johnson stepped in to lead the Aggies to a 28-22 victory. Sherman said he would see how things go in practice the next couple of days before deciding on McGee's status.
Vanderbilt
A 3-0 start has Vanderbilt knocking on the door of its first national ranking in 24 years. The Commodores received 63 votes in this week's Associated Press poll, the most of any team outside the Top 25. Should Vanderbilt win at Mississippi, the Commodores could vault into the national rankings for the first time since being ranked No. 19 in 1984.
