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WVU spring update (OC connection)

Last year it was one of the biggest question marks on the team; this year the defensive line is one of the most experienced areas of the squad -- partially because Oil City's Ben Lynch helped answer those questions.

And this year, after starting the 2003 season at nose tackle, Lynch will be counted on to provide some versatility along the DL. The  development of sophomore Craig Wilson will allow Lynch to play some defensive end.

"I'm really pleased with Craig this spring," WVU coach Rich Rodriguez told MSNsportsNET.com. "We think Craig has played well enough to be considered a starter. He's a powerful guy (6-1, 285) who plays hard..."

But although Wilson has come on at nose tackle, Lynch will play there as well.

"He's still our best nose guard," Rodriguez said. "Particularly (on) some of our four-man rushes and nickel packages, he's going to be inside. He'll still play both."

Lynch (#92, 6-4, 265)  has one of the best takeoffs on the team, and made 64 tackles and 13 tackles for loss last year.

He is one of three OCHS graduates on the WVU team. The others are starting middle linebacker Adam Lehnortt (#10, 6-3, 235) and redshirt freshman defensive back Kris Tawney (#41, 6-1, 195.)

Lynch and Tawney played for the Gold in the annual Blue-Gold scrimmage April 17 that ended in a 20-20 tie. Lehnortt, recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, did not play, but will be ready for practice in August.

Lynch and Lehnortt (139 tackles, 5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss) helped the Mountaineers recover from a 1-4 start to finish 8-5 and Gator Bowl bid  last season.

They'll return seven starters each on offense and defense this season, which begins with a Sept. 4 home date against East Carolina.

Lehnortt and Scott Gyorko will be second-year starters at linebacker.

Lynch will be one of four players with starting experience on the defensive line. The others are senior Jason Hardee (6-3, 295), junior Ernest Hunter (6-4, 280) and sophomore Pat Liebig (6-4, 265). Wilson and sophomore Warren Young (6-4, 285) were solid contributors last season.

"We're somewhat deeper along our defensive line," Rodriguez said.

And the WVU coach is hoping for continued improvement, particularly from Lynch and Hardee.

"Ben, we thought, was one of our most consistent defensive linemen last year and plays inside and out," Rodriguez said. "And Jason is one of the most talented guys we have. He's got a lot of athletic ability and I think he understands our schemes better. I'm expecting big things from Jason. He's the one who has got to take it up a notch and so far this spring I think he has."

WVU schedule

Sept. 4 -- East Carolina
Sept. 11 -- at Central Florida
Sept. 18 -- Maryland
Sept. 25 -- James Madison
Oct. 2 -- at Virginia Tech
Oct. 13 -- at UConn
Oct. 20/21 -- Syracuse
Oct. 30 -- at Rutgers
Nov. 6 -- Temple
Nov. 13  -- Boston College
Nov. 25 -- at Pitt
(Times to be announced)