Defensive end Dykes says WVU still team to beat in

[bullwark]

by Greg Talkington, SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, August 11, 2005 1:41 PM CDT

 

MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia defensive end Keilen Dykes believes the Mountaineers will have a better pass rush in 2005.

He also believes WVU is still the team to beat in the Big East.

"I know Louisville is coming into our league as the favorite," Dykes said following Monday's practice session. "But the title still runs through the hills in the Big East."

Dykes was referring to the fact that new Big East member Louisville has been tabbed the pre-season favorite with Pittsburgh the No. 2 team in most circles. But both will have to travel to Mylan Puskar Stadium this season.

"I know Louisville has a lot of players coming back and will have a great team," Dykes said. "But they do have to come here."

The Mountaineers have had problems generating an effective pass rush since moving to the 33-stack defense a few years ago. But Dykes believes having just three defensive linemen rushing the passer is no excuse for not generating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

"I think the pass rush will come," Dykes said. "We have some guys who can come off the end like Johnny Dingle and Craig Wilson.

"We're doing some new things, too. It doesn't matter if you're rushing three, four or five guys, the key is to beat your man and get after the quarterback."

Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez likes the versatility of the group.

"We have several guys who can play inside and outside on the defensive line and that gives us some flexibility," Rodriguez said. "Keilen can play on either end of the line and be effective.

"I think we have some real good talent and depth at the position. But I'm reserving judgment on the talent part until we've played a game because in the spring, they were going against a pretty inexperienced offensive line because of injuries."

n FRESHMEN IMPRESSIVE: While heralded running back recruits Jason Gwaltney and Steve Slaton appear to be living up to expectations, Rodriguez pointed to a trio of wide receivers who have been surprises thus far.

They are Jeremy Bruce, and walk-ons Scott Macerelli and Jack Crow.

Bruce (5-9, 185) was a standout running back for Blackhawk High School in Beaver Falls, Pa. Macerelli (6-2, 190), hails from McDonald, Pa. and is the son of former WVU player Jeff Macerelli, a standout linebacker in the late 1970s. Crow (5-11, 165) played on Weir's state championship team last season.

"Bruce was a great running back in high school, but we saw him as a slot receiver and he could end up playing some there this year," Rodriguez said. "Macerelli and Crow have been real big surprises and are making a push for playing time."

n GWALTNEY SHRINKING: Coming to campus in July has been beneficial for all the freshman, but maybe more so for Gwaltney, Rodriguez believes.

"He wouldn't be close to in shape now if he hadn't have come in July," Rodriguez said. "(Strength and conditioning coordinator) Mike Barwis said he came in around 245 pounds and he's already down to 235.

"We think his ideal playing weight would be this side (below) 230."

Rodriguez believes Gwaltney will have more room to run in WVU's offense.

"In high school, he pretty much ran tackle-to-tackle," Rodriguez said. "It was 11-in-the-box defense plus his 11 and it was pretty much power football.

"Most of the time, he ended up mashing the defense."

Gwaltney rushed for 7,800 yards and 135 touchdowns in his prep career in Long Island, N.Y.