Mountaineer Team Statistics Matchup

With the week off, we take a chance to look at some interesting statistical numbers after WVU's first three games of the season.

Today we take a look at how the Mountaineers stack up against the rest of Division 1-A after the first four weeks of the college football season. As you will see, there are areas in which WVU has excelled and areas that need improvement.

Pros:

WVU ranks 23rd in scoring offense (36.0 ppg).

WVU ranks 6th in total offense (494 ypg).

WVU ranks 4th in rushing offense (282 ypg).

Cons:

WVU ranks 86th in punt return defense (7.1 yds).

WVU ranks 94th in pass efficiency defense (137.4)

WVU ranks 92nd in net punting (30.5 ypa).

* All rankings are national

Statistical Comparison of West Virginia
with Year-to-Date Opponents
(as of September 16, 2002)

Statistic	WVU	Opponents	Differential
Points / Game	36.0	24.3	+11.7
Yards / Game	494.0	336.3	+157.7
Rushing Yards / Game	282.0	115.0	+167.0
Passing Yards / Game	212.0	221.3	-9.3
Yards / Play	6.2	5.1	+1.1
Rushing Yards / Carry	5.6	3.2	+2.4
Passing Yards / Attempt	7.1	7.5	-0.3
Passing Yards / Completion	12.7	11.9	+0.9
Passing Completion %	56.2	62.9	-6.7
Punt Return Average	7.1	14.0	-6.9
Yards / 7 Points	96.1	96.8	+0.7
Plays / 7 Points	15.5	18.9	+3.4
Rushing Play %	62.8	54.8	+7.9
Passing Play %	37.2	45.2	-7.9
Turnovers / Game	1.3	1.7	+0.3
Fumbles / Game	1.0	0.7	-0.3
Intercept / Game	0.3	1.0	+0.7
Turnover %	1.7	2.5	+0.9
Fumble %	2.0	1.9	-0.1
Intercept %	1.1	3.4	+2.2

West Virginia Defensive Statistical Rankings
[Average Rank = 63.3]
(as of September 16, 2002)

Category	Value	Units	Rank
Scoring	24.3	pts/g	60
Total Defense	336.3	yds/g	52
Rushing	115.0	yds/g	39
Pass Efficiency Defense	137.4	rtg pts	94
Punt Returns	7.1	yds @	86
Turnover Margin	+0.3	mgn/g	49

West Virginia Offensive Statistical Rankings
[Average Rank = 37.8]
(as of September 16, 2002)

Category	Value	Units	Rank
Scoring	36.0	pts/g	23
Total Offense	494.0	yds/g	6
Rushing	282.0	yds/g	4
Passing	212.0	yds/g	60
Net Punting	30.5	yds @	97
Kickoff Returns	22.9	yds @	37