MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia's offensive line faces a tough task on Saturday at Cincinnati. Bearcats defensive end Antwan Peek, who had 12.5 sacks last season, has the speed to challenge the Mountaineers' lighter, faster linemen.

        “He's a really strong, quick player,” quarterback Rasheed Marshall said. “I'm sure he'll try to disrupt the backfield, get to me and get a sack or force the throw early.”

        Unlike last week, when West Virginia faced a physically imposing but slower defensive front against Wisconsin, Peek and the Cincinnati line will utilize speed and quickness, which should better match the Mountaineers' spread attack.

        Wisconsin recorded one sack on the last play of the game, which the Badgers won 34-17. Cincinnati had two sacks in its opener, a 36-29 overtime win at home over Texas Christian. Peek had one of those sacks, along with three tackles for loss.

        That number might not improve this week. West Virginia will slide the pocket to improve protection for the shifty Marshall. But Wisconsin's rush showed the sophomore can be forced to make poor throws.

        Marshall missed three wide-open passes — two for scores — that would have changed the game.

        “We have to keep a helmet on (Peek), keep him controlled,” said West Virginia left tackle Lance Nimmo, who contained first-round NFL draft pick Dwight Freeney of Syracuse last season.

        “He is a big-time player,” West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. “He is their leader, no question, and he is as good as there is anywhere.”

        Peek ranked in the top 10 in Division I-A last year in quarterback sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles.

        The first-team All-Conference USA selection added 15 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame in the offseason after playing at 239 pounds last year. The additional bulk makes him a better run-stopper, and the added strength allows the Cincinnati native to get past routine double-teams in the Bearcats' new 4-3 defense.

        The scheme, which must slow the run to be effective, faltered last year under then-new defensive coordinator A.J. Christoff. Cincinnati recorded 35 sacks last season, the second-highest total in school history, but the Bearcats also allowed 176 rushing yards per game.

        It must better those numbers against West Virginia.

        “I am sure they will try to stop the run first,” said running back Avon Cobourne.

        Cobourne was held to just 79 yards against Wisconsin, 39 of which came on one run on the final drive. Cincinnati held TCU to 97 yards rushing and currently ranks second in the conference in rushing defense.

        Cobourne knows the Mountaineers won't run away from Peek all game.

        “Sometimes you have to go at those guys because they pursue the ball so well. And we have to run the football to open our passing game,” Cobourne said.

UC's Peek worries West Virginia

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