WVU is focusing on prep for Norfolk State

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Despite being West Virginia's opponent this week, Norfolk State wasn't the school mentioned the most around the football facilities.

That distinction belongs to teams like Michigan, Virginia Tech, Mississippi, Kansas and all of the other BCS conference teams that have fallen to Football Championship Subdivision opponents in recent years.

No. 19 West Virginia looks to avoid that fate when it faces Norfolk State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium.

"You take a few (FCS) teams and watch them play against big-time schools, and the smaller guys frequently win," West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. "If you don't think those games are important, then you're not focusing on the right things."

The most infamous example came in 2007. Michigan, ranked No. 5 and playing at home, fell, 34-32, to Appalachian State. Michigan dropped out of the Top 25 the following week.

In 2010, FCS teams scored seven wins against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, including four victories over opponents in BCS conferences. The most shocking was James Madison's 21-16 victory over No. 13 Virginia Tech, only the second FCS win over a ranked opponent.

Norfolk State hasn't had success against FBS opponents, posting an 0-3 mark all-time against two BCS teams: losses to Rutgers in 2007 and 2010 and Kentucky in 2008. The Spartans aren't just looking for their first win against a BCS opponent but also their first touchdown: In those three games, the Spartans were outscored, 128-3.

Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian played at West Virginia, graduating in 1970. He knows the environment in Morgantown, and he thinks his team will benefit from this game in the long run.

"Having played there, I know the fans will be rather hostile," Adrian said.



"But for our players, it will be a great experience being in front of 60,000 people."

Even with the odds stacked in his favor, Holgorsen refuses to take the Spartans lightly.

"We treat every opponent the same," he said. "We make a big deal of saying, 'This is who our opponent is. This is what they do. This is how we'll prepare for the game.' "

game day

NORFOLK STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA

When/Where: 1 p.m. Saturday/Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, W.Va.

TV/radio: Root Sports/WVAQ-FM (101.9), Mountaineer Sports Network, Sirius 93

Records: West Virginia 1-0; Norfolk State 1-0

Series: First meeting

Outlook: West Virginia is 11-0 against Football Championship Subdivision opponents. Its most recent win came in the 2010 season opener, a 31-0 victory over Coastal Carolina. ... West Virginia is riding a 17-game nonconference home winning streak; its last loss was in 2005 to Virginia Tech. ... Nine Mountaineers made their first start in Sunday's weather-shortened win against Marshall, and 15 saw their first action. ... In the past five years, FCS teams have won 30 games against FBS teams, including 13 victories against BCS conference members. ... In addition to Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian, defensive line coach Mark Thurston also played at West Virginia, graduating in 2003.