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White, West Virginia hope to rebound against Colorado

Sep 17, 2008 - 3:59 PM No. 22 West Virginia (1-1) at Colorado (2-0), 8:30 pm EDT

BOULDER, Colorado (Ticker) -- Pat White and 22nd-ranked West Virginia have had two weeks to think about their embarrassing loss to East Carolina. They plan to take out their frustration on Colorado.

White and the Mountaineers will hope to reach the end zone for the first time against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent this season when they visit the Buffaloes on Thursday.

A senior dual-threat quarterback, White tossed a career-high five touchdown passes during the season-opening 48-21 victory over Villanova, an FCS team.

But White had little success the following week against the Pirates.

White passed for just 72 yards and added 97 on the ground as West Virginia's offense was completely stymied in a 24-3 loss to East Carolina on September 6. The Mountaineers produced 251 total yards with two turnovers and converted 3-of-12 third downs.

The performance severely hindered White's Heisman Trophy chances. White entered the season as a candidate after compiling over 1,300 yards with 14 scores in both passing and rushing in 2007.

The Mountaineers' other key offensive weapon, sophomore running back Noel Devine, is also not having the kind of start he expected. Devine has 141 yards and no TDs over the first two games.

Colorado, which edged Eastern Washington, 31-24, on September 6, embarks on its toughest stretch of the season. The Buffaloes faced currently ranked teams over the next four games and five of their next six contests.

After West Virginia, Colorado visits Florida State (24), hosts Texas (7) and then visits Kansas (19) before playing Missouri (5) on the road two weeks later.

If the Buffaloes are to salvage some victories over this daunting stretch, they will need Cody Hawkins to play well. The son of coach Dan Hawkins, Cody passed for 475 yards and four scores with two interceptions this season.

The younger Hawkins has also rushed for a pair of TDs, but will have to cut down on his turnovers for Colorado to have success this season. He has thrown 19 picks over 15 starts in his collegiate career.

With a 2-1 record at the helm for West Virginia, coach Bill Stewart received a six-year contract with the Mountaineers on September 12.