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High-octane West Virginia hosts Mississippi State

Oct 20, 2007 - 10:36 AM Mississippi St (4-3) at No. 9 West Virginia (5-1) 3:30 pm EDT

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (Ticker) -- West Virginia's bye week could not have come at a better time for quarterback Pat White.

After suffering a shoulder injury two weeks ago, White hopes to lead the ninth-ranked Mountaineers into their non-conference matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday.

One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, White got hurt in the third quarter of West Virginia's 55-14 road rout of Syracuse on October 6. Prior to the injury, he had thrown for 148 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 89 yards and another score.

Steve Slaton was limited to 69 yards but the Mountaineers still mustered 251 on the ground to help coach Rich Rodriguez win his 100th game. The team ranks second nationally in rushing at 311.17 yards per game.

Mississippi State slipped to 1-3 in the rugged Southeastern Conference with a 33-21 home loss to Tennessee last Saturday.

Wesley Carroll threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns and Anthony Dixon rushed for 108 yards and a score for the Bulldogs, who allowed the Volunteers to collect 470 yards.

The teams met for the first time last year, with West Virginia posting a 42-14 road win.