gridironmike
January-20th-2005, 10:42 AM
This is a big deal in West Virginia. These two teams last played in 1997 when Marshall first entered 1A competition. WVU defeated Marshall 42-31. Marshall featured Chad Pennington and Randy Moss. I believe there was a four game contract signed. 3 games in Morgantown and 1 in Huntington. Marshall balked after their first meeting becasue they wanted a home/away series. Ever since then, Bob Pruett has lobbied for the home/away series. Well, at least one game might happen.
http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2005011955
January 20, 2005
Mitch Vingle
WVU AD interested in meeting Herd — this year
MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University athletic director Ed Pastilong plopped down in the Coliseum’s Jerry West Lounge before his basketball team’s game with Notre Dame.
“Good thing I didn’t release the football schedule today,’’ he said with a sigh.
The reason is Central Florida is trying to back out of a 2005 date in Morgantown.
Which may open the door for a showdown with Marshall.
According to a story in the Orlando Sentinel, UCF has overscheduled its away schedule.
“UCF won’t know all the details of its 2005 football schedule for at least another month, but the Golden Knights are pretty sure whom they’ll play — and whom they won’t,’’ says the story. “South Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette and South Florida are on the schedule.
“North Carolina State is off. West Virginia is in between.’’
The article centered on the fact that George O’Leary’s team will spend much of the upcoming season on the road. UCF athletic director Steve Orsini is set to send the Knights on seven road trips in 2005. The school is coming off a program-worst 0-11 season.
“Orsini said he has informed West Virginia that UCF doesn’t plan to return to Morgantown for the final game of a three-game series,’’ says the story. “UCF is trying to find a replacement opponent for itself — or else it will pay the Mountaineers a $50,000 buyout.’’
That established, yours truly found Pastilong alone during Wednesday’s basketball game — and asked if he’d be interested in filling the opening with Marshall.
“Yes, we’d be interested,’’ said the AD. “We’d be interested in playing in Morgantown.’’
Pastilong wouldn’t expound.
“Let’s just see what happens with this now,’’ Pastilong said.
Clearly, though, the AD is interested. The game would help West Virginia’s scheduling problem. On the other end, Marshall could establish goodwill and, hopefully, pave the way for a long-desired, long-running series.
Marshall would have to make some moves. But officials there have been dogged in their pursuit of the matchup. Here’s an opportunity.
Marshall AD Bob “Kayo’’ Marcum was non-commital when contacted late Wednesday night.
“Our schedule is pretty well set,’’ he said. “I don’t know what all is involved.’’
Perhaps the Thundering Herd could move or buy out its Sept. 1 matchup against William & Mary. Other non-conference opponents are home against Kansas State on Sept. 10 and at Virginia Tech on Sept. 17. Obviously, the K-State game is untouchable.
MU also has home Conference USA games with Southern Mississippi, East Carolina, SMU and UAB. The team will visit league foes Memphis, Tulane, UCF and UTEP.
It appears if the teams wish to get this done, they would have to play early in October.
Anyway, although Marcum was non-commital, he threw this out before ending the late call.
“If you see Ed,’’ Marcum said, “tell him to call me.’’
http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2005011955
January 20, 2005
Mitch Vingle
WVU AD interested in meeting Herd — this year
MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University athletic director Ed Pastilong plopped down in the Coliseum’s Jerry West Lounge before his basketball team’s game with Notre Dame.
“Good thing I didn’t release the football schedule today,’’ he said with a sigh.
The reason is Central Florida is trying to back out of a 2005 date in Morgantown.
Which may open the door for a showdown with Marshall.
According to a story in the Orlando Sentinel, UCF has overscheduled its away schedule.
“UCF won’t know all the details of its 2005 football schedule for at least another month, but the Golden Knights are pretty sure whom they’ll play — and whom they won’t,’’ says the story. “South Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette and South Florida are on the schedule.
“North Carolina State is off. West Virginia is in between.’’
The article centered on the fact that George O’Leary’s team will spend much of the upcoming season on the road. UCF athletic director Steve Orsini is set to send the Knights on seven road trips in 2005. The school is coming off a program-worst 0-11 season.
“Orsini said he has informed West Virginia that UCF doesn’t plan to return to Morgantown for the final game of a three-game series,’’ says the story. “UCF is trying to find a replacement opponent for itself — or else it will pay the Mountaineers a $50,000 buyout.’’
That established, yours truly found Pastilong alone during Wednesday’s basketball game — and asked if he’d be interested in filling the opening with Marshall.
“Yes, we’d be interested,’’ said the AD. “We’d be interested in playing in Morgantown.’’
Pastilong wouldn’t expound.
“Let’s just see what happens with this now,’’ Pastilong said.
Clearly, though, the AD is interested. The game would help West Virginia’s scheduling problem. On the other end, Marshall could establish goodwill and, hopefully, pave the way for a long-desired, long-running series.
Marshall would have to make some moves. But officials there have been dogged in their pursuit of the matchup. Here’s an opportunity.
Marshall AD Bob “Kayo’’ Marcum was non-commital when contacted late Wednesday night.
“Our schedule is pretty well set,’’ he said. “I don’t know what all is involved.’’
Perhaps the Thundering Herd could move or buy out its Sept. 1 matchup against William & Mary. Other non-conference opponents are home against Kansas State on Sept. 10 and at Virginia Tech on Sept. 17. Obviously, the K-State game is untouchable.
MU also has home Conference USA games with Southern Mississippi, East Carolina, SMU and UAB. The team will visit league foes Memphis, Tulane, UCF and UTEP.
It appears if the teams wish to get this done, they would have to play early in October.
Anyway, although Marcum was non-commital, he threw this out before ending the late call.
“If you see Ed,’’ Marcum said, “tell him to call me.’’