~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPORTSTICKER NCAAF RECAP (EASTERN WASH-WEST VIRGINIA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(ADDING INFORMATION, QUOTES)

*Mountaineers rush for 394 yards in rout of Eastern Washington* ===============================================================

(6) WEST VIRGINIA 52, EASTERN WASH 3 ------------------------------------

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Steve Slaton appeared well on his way to another 200-yard rushing game. But coach Rich Rodriguez showed some mercy against a Division I-AA team.

Slaton rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries before exiting as sixth-ranked West Virginia went to its bench early and often in a 52-3 victory over Eastern Washington.

The sophomore rushed for 203 yards in the Mountaineers' season-opening win over Marshall last week and would have probably been a lock to eclipse that mark again.

West Virginia (2-0) ended up rushing for 394 yards on 58 carries with as many as 11 players contributing to that figure and outgained the Eagles, 591-185.

"I think we played everybody who ever suited up in a Mountaineer uniform," Rodriguez said. "Seriously, we played about 80 guys."

Slaton scored on runs of 49 and 17 yards in the first 8 1/2 minutes of the game to stake the Mountaineers to a 14-0 lead.

"The point was to save me for Maryland (next week)," Slaton said. "I hate to come out of any game. But as long as we win it doesn't really matter. Everybody wants to play and this was a chance to see what they have to offer."

Fellow sophomore Pat White also had a short day. He completed all four of his passes for 48 yards and ran twice for 22 yards before leaving in the second quarter with West Virginia leading, 21-3.

Backup quarterback Jarrett Brown made the biggest impression. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown and ran for 70 yards and another score.

"That was one of our goals, to get another quarterback ready," Rodriguez said. "As much as we need White, we need to have another quarterback on call just in case."

The freshman threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Miles with 16 seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Mountaineers a 28-3 halftime lead.

Then Brown scored on a seven-yard run 2:50 into the third quarter, capping a seven-play, 71-yard drive.

Even the third and fourth quarterbacks on the roster rushed for touchdowns. Nate Sowers, the third-string, scored on an eight-yard run with 13:07 left in the fourth quarter and Markell Harrison, the last quarterback on the depth chart, scored on a one-yard run with 47 seconds remaining.

"They are a very good football team," Eastern Washington coach Paul Wulff said. "At the quarterback position, they have two very good players and their running back is so special."

It was the second loss in as many games against a Division I-A opponent for Eastern Washington (0-2), which lost at Oregon State, 56-17, last week.

The Eagles crossed midfield twice, both in the first half. Matt Nicols completed 13-of-25 passes for 90 yards with an interception.