No. 18 West Virginia Rolls Past Connecticut

AROUND THE NATION

Quarterback Pat White, a redshirt freshman, ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in his first start Wednesday night to lead No. 18 West Virginia to a 45-13 Big East Conference victory over Connecticut at Morgantown, W.Va.

West Virginia, 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big East, showed no signs of sluggishness from an 18-day layoff.

The Mountaineers, who lead the Big East, built a 35-3 halftime lead, getting two touchdowns after turnovers. The defense limited the Huskies (4-4, 1-3) to 12 rushing yards and 129 overall, the fewest given up by West Virginia in three seasons.

“When you make somebody one-dimensional, your chances of winning the game are pretty good,” West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez said.

*

Navy will cover the cost of Tulane’s trip to Annapolis, Md., for Saturday’s game against the Midshipmen, a gift that should save the financially strapped program up to $200,000.

Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk, who served as Tulane’s athletic director from 1987 to ‘90, made the offer to help Tulane cope with the destruction of its campus caused by Hurricane Katrina.

“We just want this entire trip, except for the 60 minutes on Saturday, to be very enjoyable for the Tulane folks,” Gladchuk said.