Colleges

No. 5 West Va. rolls

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 15, 2006

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Steve Slaton's speed and Maryland's sloppiness turned West Virginia's first anticipated test of the season into a laugher.

Slaton rushed for 195 yards and No. 5 West Virginia forced five turnovers, using a 28-0 first-quarter blitz to beat the Terrapins 45-24 Thursday.

Slaton, a sophomore, scored two first-quarter touchdowns in his first career action against Maryland, which offered him a scholarship, then withdrew it.

Pat White threw for a TD and ran for another, and Darius Reynaud scored twice for the Mountaineers (3-0), once on a 96-yard kickoff return.

With scouts from the Orange and Fiesta bowls and 15 NFL teams in attendance, West Virginia jumped to a 38-10 halftime lead.

West Virginia beat Maryland (2-1) for the third straight year, the first time that's happened since 1996-98. .

Maryland, which had wins over Division I-AA William & Mary and unheralded Middle Tennessee State, watched the Mountaineers compile more than 300 yards on the ground for the third straight game.

NORTHERN COLORADO: Northern Colorado's backup punter asked a friend to lie about his whereabouts the night the starting punter was stabbed in the parking lot of his apartment complex, according to a police affidavit. Mitch Cozad is accused of stabbing Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg.

Cozad remained free on $30,000 bond, and prosecutors said they have until Sept. 22 to formally charge him.

Mendoza, treated and released from a hospital, surprised teammates by showing up at a meeting.

"The team loved it," coach Scott Downing said. "They gave him a standing ovation."

"I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support," Mendoza said in a statement. "I want everyone to know I am doing well and recovering."

Downing said Mendoza's return could be at least two weeks away.

"I asked him and (he said) he'd be back tomorrow," Downing said, laughing. "He'd be punting on crutches."

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier chose senior Syvelle Newton to start at quarterback against Wofford over freshman Chris Smelley, taking over for suspended Blake Mitchell.

Spurrier delayed the announcement until his radio show. "We're trying to get our ratings up," he said.

Spurrier also said officials told him Georgia got away with several penalties in a victory last week.

"I heard our fans booing a lot the other night and later in the week I learned that Georgia should've been called for about 12, 13 clips or holds during that game that wasn't called," Spurrier said.

Spurrier said if teams get away with penalties, "you might as well do it."

On defense, Rodney Paulk will start at linebacker ahead of Marvin Sapp and linebacker Jordin Lindsey will start ahead of Cody Wells.

Other sports

BASKETBALL: The USF women will play their first-ever game in the St. Pete Times Forum on Dec. 17, taking on Vanderbilt at 3 p.m. The Florida men will follow with a game against Florida A&M at 6 p.m. Anyone attending the USF game can stay for Florida-FAMU.

Also, on Dec. 29 the Times Forum will be the site of a Big East-ACC doubleheader as FSUwill host Providence and the USF men's team will host Wake Forest.

Tickets are on sale at the Times Forum and Ticketmaster outlets.

SOCCER: Eusebio Montoya had two goals and two assists as the Saint Leo men (4-3) defeated Warner Southern 5-1.

VOLLEYBALL: Host Eckerd defeated Palm Beach Atlantic 3-0 (30-24, 30-28, 30-20). The Tritons (9-3) face Tampa on Saturday.

[Last modified September 15, 2006, 01:43:58]