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By JOHN RABY
Associated Press Sports Writer
MORGANTOWN, WV (AP) — Avon Cobourne ran for a career-high 260 yards and
broke the school's career rushing yardage record in West Virginia's
37-17 victory over East Carolina on Saturday.
Backup Quincy Wilson added a career-high 198 yards as West Virginia
(3-1) set a Big East record with 536 yards rushing, breaking the mark of
500 set by Virginia Tech against Pittsburgh in 1993.
There was little East Carolina (1-3) could do against the Mountaineers'
attack, even though the Pirates knew all about Cobourne. He had 193
yards rushing in his last game, against Cincinnati.
With his line opening gaping holes, Cobourne had 100 yards in the game's
first 10 minutes, and he tied his previous career best of 210 yards in
the first half. In the fourth quarter, Cobourne surpassed the school
career record of 4,086 yards, set by Amos Zereoue from 1996-98.
Cobourne now has 4,093 yards. He's trying to become just the fifth
Division I-A running back ever to run for 1,000 yards in each of his
four seasons.
Cobourne didn't have a great start, as quarterback Rasheed Marshall
pitched the ball off his chest at the East Carolina 20 on the opening
drive. Safety Kelly Hardy picked up the ball and ran 80 yards for a
touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, East Carolina tried an onside kick that went out
of bounds. Cobourne then made up for his mistake by running 52 yards for
a score on the next play.
Those were the first of 27 unanswered points for the Mountaineers,
including two TDs on fumble recoveries - one offensive and one
defensive. Cobourne added a 7-yard TD run just before halftime for a
27-7 lead.
Marshall dislocated the little finger on his throwing hand in the first
half but stayed in the game.
With East Carolina crowding the line in the second half, Cobourne was
used primarily as a decoy, as Wilson took over and gained 186 yards
after halftime - on just nine carries.
As East Carolina bit on a fake to Cobourne, Wilson ran 73 yards up the
right sideline for a touchdown to give West Virginia a 34-14 lead late
in the third quarter.
02/23/2007 10:51 AM
Copyright 2002
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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