MORGANTOWN - If you're a WVU football fan that's been hedging on plans after Saturday's game, don't bother.
Odds are, the Mountaineers' 2 p.m. home game against Youngstown State will be a quick one.
There are a few reasons why.
First, there's YSU's offensive style of play. In short, Bo Pelini likes to run the ball, especially with his current team. In a 45-10 blowout of Duquesne, the Penguins ran a whopping 53 times for 394 yards and passed just 18 times, although for 216 yards.
"I hope they don't go for 600 again," said WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
It's very doubtful that will happen. YSU was picked to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Duquesne, meanwhile, is in the Northeast Conference. If you haven't heard of it, the Dukes are in there with Sacred Heart, Saint Francis and Bryant. (In deference to WVU president E. Gordon Gee, I won't refer to the league as the Little Sisters of the Poor.)
Anyway, in Youngstown State's last game, the total elapsed time was 3:01.
"I think what they're going to do is use multiple tight ends and backs and try to run it," Gibson said. "They'll try to hit us with play actions, try to get us to bite up a little bit. They'll try to run the clock, I would think, and try to limit our offense."
According to YSU sports information director Trevor Parks, the Penguins run a "multiple" offense, but with 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior Ricky Davis at quarterback. Against Duquesne, Davis threw the ball 16 times, but also ran 10 times for 74 yards.
"Yeah, it's a little bit different," said WVU linebacker Justin Arndt. "A true option. You have some of the Georgia Southern stuff from last year that pops up. It's kind of similar. They have two good running backs and the quarterback can run too."
The running backs are Jody Webb, a first-team MVC preseason selection, and Martin Ruiz. Webb is 5-9, 175 pounds, while Ruiz is 5-11, 200 pounds.
"Webb is a good player," Gibson said. "He's probably one of the fastest backs we'll play all year long. He got hit on the knee, leg or ankle [against Duquesne]. I don't know where, but it looked pretty nasty on film. They say he's OK, but I don't know. But the other running back, Ruiz, is a good player too. Their best players on offense are their running backs."
The scoop from Youngstown is Webb should play on Saturday, according to Parks. Then there's the mystery around Davis, the quarterback.
"I don't understand because the other kid, No. 6, didn't play a snap the other night," Gibson said. "I don't know what the deal is."
In short, the "other kid," Hunter Wells, the starter last season, was beaten out by the more mobile Davis, according to Parks. Wells is a drop-back passer who threw for 3,747 yards last year.
"No. 12 can run it," Gibson said of Davis. "He's smooth; he's under control. He does a really good job with his schemes. I like him. He's a good player."
It will only be, however, Davis' second start. Think Gibson might call for some blitzes?
"A little bit," he said with a smile.
OK, so back to those Saturday night plans. As you know, WVU quarterback Skyler Howard has sore ribs. One would imagine if the Mountaineers can again have success running the ball, head coach Dana Holgorsen will spare his QB some overhead range of motion.
"We hope we can run every game, but yeah, if that's what they're giving us that's what we need to do," said the Mountaineer coach.
Against Duquesne, YSU's run defense was stout, allowing but 34 ground yards on 21 carries. Defensive lineman Derek Rivers is an FCS All-America candidate.
Still, Holgorsen watched the film.
"If [Youngstown State] is going to empty the box like they did against Duquesne, we'll run the ball 99 percent of the time," said the Mountaineer coach.
Do you see your Saturday night plans coming more clearly into focus?
"[When you're outmanned] you want to slow down the other team's offense," said Gibson. "I think that's what they're going to do. Liberty last year did a good job of that and kept us off balance. They were good enough to throw and catch it and make big plays. I expect the same kind of plan from Youngstown."
Which would give WVU fans a good shot at hitting their favorite happy hour.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.