Name the Big East's all-time best running back.

Edgerrin James? Curtis Martin? William Green? Amos Zereoue?

All good choices, but none can match West Virginia's Avon Cobourne.

Midway through the third quarter of Saturday's 37-17 victory against East Carolina, Cobourne ran for a short gain and into the record books as the conference's all-time leading rusher.

Urban Legend

Add Urban Meyer's name to any short list of college football's best young coaches. The 38-year-old Meyer is making magic in Bowling Green, putting the Falcons back on the football landscape after six years of mediocrity. It began last season, Meyer's first as Bowling Green's coach following four years as an assistant at Notre Dame. Meyer took a team that finished 2-9 during the 2000 season -- it's sixth consecutive losing campaign -- and led it to an 8-3 finish last year. The six-win jump was the best in Division I-A and earned Meyer coach of the year honors in the MAC. Meyer and the Falcons are back at it this season. Going into Saturday's conference opener against Ohio, Bowling Green (3-0) remains the MAC's only undefeated team and a good bet to register the school's first 4-0 start since 1985. After back-to-back victories against Big 12 opponents Missouri and Kansas, the Falcons are also getting a little national publicity. They rank 33rd in in this week's USA Today/ESPN poll. "I can lie and say we don't look at that," Meyer said of the polls. "That's crazy. My wife looked at it. I looked at it. I know our players are looking at it. Very rarely do you get recognized like that. For Bowling Green, it's been many, many years." Meyer has the Falcons hitting on all cylinders, ranking first in the MAC in scoring offense (43.0) and scoring defense (17.0). Not bad for a team that had trouble doing either just two years ago. After replacing Gary Blackney last year, Meyer installed a spread offense that utilizes three receivers and one back. The Falcons haven't stopped scoring since. Bowling Green finished third in the MAC last season with a 30.3 points per game average and have picked up on that pace. But, the offense wasn't all that Meyer changed when he arrived at Bowling Green. Approximately 20 players quit in his first three months, unable or unwilling to heed Meyer's demanding style. "We didn't run anybody off, but they decided it wasn't worth it," Meyer said. "After meeting with the players, their concern was that there were too many guys that were just getting a free meal at night and it wasn't very important to them." Suffice it to say that junior quarterback Josh Harris wasn't one of those players. Harris started five games last year and led the Falcons to victories four times, including three to finish the season. A triple threat, Harris has accounted for touchdowns this season by passing (2), running (6) and receiving (2). He leads the nation in scoring, averaging 16 points per game. Harris' play has paced the Falcons to six straight victories dating back to last season, the nation's third-longest active streak. Although some tough road games loom, Bowling Green looks like the favorite to win the MAC's West Division, where the Falcons now reside after five years in the East Division. Meyer said he's taking nothing for granted. "We realize who we are," Meyer said. "We're nothing more than we've always been and that's. ... a bunch of blue-collar, hard-working guys who better show up everyday or you'll get your butt kicked on that field." It hasn't happened much since Meyer arrived in town. -- Jorge Milian

Cobourne broke Zereoue's former Big East record with a bang, rushing for a career-high 260 yards as the Mountaineers won for the third time in four games this season.

Cobourne now has 4,093 rushing yards, although the Big East recognizes only 3,981 yards because it does not take bowl games into account. That's still good enough to rank ahead of Zereoue, who finished his career (1996-98) at West Virginia with 3,907 yards.

"The record will be more meaningful down the road," said Cobourne, a senior from Cherry Hill, N.J. "Right now, I'm just happy that I got 260 yards and we won the game. That's more meaningful to me."

The 5-9, 195-pound tailback leads the nation in rushing with a per-game average of 159.5 yards and his 638 yards through four games makes him a virtual lock for his fourth straight 1,000-yard season.

Not bad for a guy who didn't think he would ever play at West Virginia when he first showed up in Morgantown as a freshman.

Cobourne missed nearly all of his final high school season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and found himself hopelessly behind in his first year of college.

"I didn't think I was good enough," Cobourne said. "Not at all. I didn't think I had a chance. I just thought I'd come and get a degree."

After spending 1998 redshirting and learning behind Zereoue, Cobourne earned the starting tailback job the following spring. He hasn't been out of the lineup since, rushing for 1,139 yards in 1999, 1,018 yards in 2000 and 1,298 yards last season.

Even though the 2001 season was Cobourne's most productive, it was also his most difficult.

The offense struggled to adjust to new coach Rich Rodriguez's no-huddle, spread offense and the Mountaineers' defense found itself unable to stop virtually anyone. That combination caused West Virginia to finish with a 3-8 record, the school's most defeats in one season since 1978.

"It was very frustrating," Cobourne said. "We just weren't playing the way we should have been playing. It was rough. It just didn't work out for us. You run for all those yards and you don't win games, something isn't right."

Whatever was wrong, seems to have been fixed.

The Mountaineers opened the 2002 season by sandwiching victories against Chattanooga and Cincinnati around a loss to Wisconsin, leading them up to Saturday's game against East Carolina.

Cobourne hadn't enjoyed much success in two previous career outings against the Pirates, gaining a combined 156 yards on 52 carries.

Cobourne and West Virginia made up for it on Saturday.

By halftime, Cobourne had matched his career-high of 210 yards, before piling on another 50 yards in the second half. As a team, West Virginia rushed for a Big East single-game record of 569 yards and now ranks No. 1 nationally in rushing with an average of 345.5, more than 40 yards ahead of runner-up Air Force.

The game wasn't without it's tense moments for Cobourne. His fumble on West Virginia's opening series was returned 80 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 East Carolina lead.

"In high school, whenever I fumbled, the next time I touched the ball, I scored," said Cobourne, who gained more than 100 yards for the 21st time in his career, tying the school and Big East records held by Zereoue. "That's all I was thinking about on the sideline."

After East Carolina unsuccessfully attempted an onside kick following its touchdown, Cobourne was handed the ball on West Virginia's first play. He changed directions and raced 52 yards for a touchdown.

"We think he's even better this year than last year," Rodriguez said of Cobourne.

So are the Mountaineers. Heading into Saturday's home game against Maryland, West Virginia has already matched last season's victory total. With eight games remaining on the schedule, a bowl berth is a distinct possibility.

"This year is different," Cobourne said. "We got our act right."

So does Cobourne. You can look it up in the record book.

Around the Big East

Boston College
The 43-0 victory against Central Michigan marked Boston College's first shutout since a 17-0 blanking of Pittsburgh during the 1995 season. The Chippewas entered the game ranked eighth in total offense (472.7 ypg), but managed only 242 yards against the Eagles (3-1, 0-1). ... Quarterback Brian St. Pierre had his best game of the season, completing a career-high 25 passes in 35 attempts for 314 yards and three touchdowns. St. Pierre passed Mark Hartsell for seventh place on the school's all-time passing list with 3,805 yards. The senior also ranks fourth at BC with 37 touchdown passes. ... Derrick Knight has three 100-yard outings in four games this season following his 102-yard effort against Central Michigan. ... The Eagles take a week off before hosting No. 4 Virginia Tech on Oct. 10. A loss to the Hokies would BC an 0-2 conference record and end any hope of its first conference championship. In their last 23 games against ranked teams, the Eagles are 1-22.

Miami
The Hurricanes have scored often and quickly against their opponents this season. Of Miami's 26 scoring drives through four games, only one has lasted more than four minutes. Eighteen of the drives have taken less than two minutes. ... An average of 71,085 fans have watched Miami's first two games in the Orange Bowl. The school record for average attendance in a single season is 62,096 in 1990. The 73,622 fans that watched the Hurricanes defeat Boston College on Sept. 21 were the most ever to see Miami against an unranked opponent outside the state of Florida. ... Kellen Winslow Jr. leads the Hurricanes with 14 receptions for 153 yards and his three touchdown catches match Andre Johnson for the team lead. ... Saturday's meeting between Miami and Connecticut is the first ever between the two schools.

Pittsburgh
Quarterback Rod Rutherford had his best game so far this season during Pittsburgh's 37-19 victory against MAC foe Toledo. Rutherford completed 18-of-27 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Rutherford may have had another touchdown pass if not for a drop by a wide-open Roosevelt Bynes. ... Pittsburgh's kicking game is in disarray. Combined, David Abdul and J.B. Gibboney have converted only 6-of-12 field goals and 11-of-15 extra points. Abdul missed kicks of 34 and 23 yards against Toledo and also failed on an extra point. ... Coach Walt Harris is still looking for a starter at tailback. Raymond Kirkley, Brandon Miree and Marcus Furman have each started at least one game this season with mixed results. Kirkley started Saturday's game, but was limited to 27 yards on 12 carries. "We're looking to find one guy that will be consistent," Harris said. ... The Panthers (4-1, 1-0) play four of their next six games on the road. Included in that stretch are road games against Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami. All are ranked in the Top 10. Pittsburgh faces Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, where the Panthers are 0-8-1 since 1982.

Rutgers
Rutgers entered Saturday's game against Tennessee as a 41-point underdog, but went toe-to-toe with the Volunteers before losing 35-14. The Scarlet Knights completely outplayed Tennessee in the first half, outgaining the Volunteers in total yards, 221-63, and holding a 14-7 lead. ... Nate Jones set a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return to open the game. ... Ryan Cubit started at quarterback for the injured Ted Trump (ankle) and played well, completing 17-of-31 passes for 151 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Clarence Pittman, subbing for starter Markis Facyson (hip pointer), had a career-high 104 yards on 31 carries. "Certainly, I'll have decisions to make, but those are good decisions to make," said Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. ... The crowd of 103,925 at Neyland Stadium was the largest ever to see Rutgers play. ... Strong safety Nate Colon, a three-year starter, has taken a leave of absence from the team to deal with "personal issues", Schiano said. ... The Scarlet Knights have a bye week before playing West Virginia on Oct. 12. Rutgers has lost seven straight to the Mountaineers, including last season's 80-7 debacle in Morgantown, W. Va.

Syracuse
Coach Paul Pasqualoni said he will stick with R.J. Anderson as his starting quarterback despite the performance of backup Troy Nunes in Saturday's 37-34 triple overtime loss to Auburn. Nunes finished the game by completing 9-of-10 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown. The senior led the Orangemen 80 yards for a game-tying touchdown with 23 seconds remaining. Syracuse picked up only one first down in the six series that Anderson played in the second half. Pasqualoni insisted he replaced Anderson only after the junior took a hit that made him woozy. Anderson finished the game completing only 5-of-18 passes for 67 yards and threw three interceptions, including two in the second half. For the season, Anderson is 30-of-71 (42.3 percent) with three touchdowns and six interceptions. All of Anderson's touchdown passes came against Division I-AA Rhode Island. "No, no, no," said Pasqualoni, when asked if there might be a quarterback change. "I don't think so. Robin is the starter. He just didn't look good, didn't feel good." ... Junior receiver Johnnie Morant was left at home to serve a suspension that has stretched to two games. Syracuse officials have declined to reveal why Morant was suspended, saying the sanction was the result of violating team policy. It's the fourth game in Morant's career that he's been forced to sit out because of a disciplinary problem.

Temple
Temple (1-4, 0-1) lost its fourth in a row after leading Cincinnati, 22-21, after three quarters. The Bearcats went on to win, 35-22. "Emotionally, we're very fragile right now," said Temple coach Bobby Wallace. "I know I am. We're probably playing as well as we have since I've been here, but we still don't have anything to show for it." ... Tailback Tanardo Sharps ran for 103 yards against the Bearcats, his 12th career 100-yard game. ... All-Big East senior receiver Sean Dillard returned from an injury and caught four passes for 46 yards. ... The Owls have a bye week before facing Syracuse in Veterans Stadium.

Virginia Tech
The running back tandem of Kevin Jones and Lee Suggs was held to a season-low 84 rushing yards in 27 attempts, but quarterback Bryan Randall made up for it with a career day in the Hokies' 30-0 win at Western Michigan. Randall completed 13-of-19 passes for a personal-best 194 yards and one touchdown. Randall did throw his first two interceptions of the season. ... Linebacker Alex Markogiannakis, a fifth-year senior and walk-on, made his first career start a memorable one by scooping up a Western Michigan fumble and returning it 25 yards for a touchdown. Markogiannakis started in place of Mikal Baaqee, who missed the game with an ankle injury. ... Virginia Tech registered seven sacks against the Broncos. ... The kicking situation is in flux. Carter Warley, the Hokies' regular kicker, missed the first half of Saturday's game with back pain. Warley booted a pair of second-half extra points after his replacement, Jon Mollerup, missed a 42-yard field goal and an extra point in the first half. ... Suggs' two touchdowns on Saturday gave him 40 for his career, a Big East record. West Virginia's Amos Zereoue and Boston College's William Green held the previous mark of 39. ... The Hokies don't play again until Oct. 10 when they open conference play by facing Boston College in Chestnut Hill.

West Virginia
Lost in Cobourne's record-setting day was the performance of backup Quincy Wilson, who rushed for 198 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Wilson, the son of former Chicago Bears standout Otis Wilson, and Cobourne became just the fourth set of running backs in Big East history to rush for more than 150 yards in one game. ... The Mountaineers' rushing outburst came at a good time. Quarterback Rasheed Marshall played despite a dislocated pinkie finger on his right hand. West Virginia passed for only 33 yards. ... Receiver A.J. Nastasi is expected to miss the Mountaineers' next two games with a high ankle sprain.

Around the MAC
Akron (0-5, 0-2) wasted a sensational effort by quarterback Charlie Frye in a 48-31 loss to Miami in the Rubber Bowl. Frye set school records by completing 29 passes and throwing for 348 yards, but couldn't make up for a defense that gave up 40 or more points for the seventh time in its past nine games. ... The Zips play Eastern Michigan on Saturday in a rematch of last year's wild affair, which Akron won in triple overtime, 65-62. The game set NCAA records for most combined points in a game (127) and most points by a team in a loss (62). ... Ball State is 3-0 all-time in overtime games after defeating Connecticut, thanks to a 37-yard field goal by New Zealander Mike Langford. The field goal was the 11th straight by Langford dating back to the 2000 season. ... The Cardinals (2-2) are .500 or better coming out of September for the first time since 1995. ... Tailback Marcus Merriweather had the 14th 100-yard rushing game of his career, one behind the school record held by Bernie Parmalee. Merriweather carried 28 times for 124 yards and caught a career-best five passes for 70 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown reception. ... Starting right tackle Joel Hofmann tore the ACL in his right knee and is out for the season. Left tackle Kris Berry dislocated his shoulder and did not return to the game. ... Bowling Green coach Urban Meyer said he didn't like having a bye week after the opening the season with three impressive victories. "I wasn't a big fan of this off week," Meyer said. "We had some momentum going and, I'm afraid, some of the momentum we had, we lost. We wish we had played last week."..The Falcons have lost to Ohio in four of the past six seasons. ... Buffalo (1-4, 0-1) suffered a difficult loss, bouncing back from a 21-3 halftime deficit against winless Ohio to take a 32-31 lead with less than five minutes to play. But a 37-yard field goal with 10 seconds left gave the Bobcats their first victory in 11 games and sent the Bulls home a loser. ... Quarterback Randall Secky and receiver Andre Forde were sensational in defeat. Secky connected on 29-of-43 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns while Forde, a senior, caught a career-high 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. ... Central Michigan's Robbie Mixon, who entered Saturday's game as the nation's all-purpose yardage leader, was held to 92 yards (98 rushing, minus-6 receiving, no returns), 100 below his average in the Chippewas' 43-0 loss to Boston College. The loss was the second straight after three consecutive victories to start the season. ... Tailback Terrence Jackson was sidelined again for the Boston College game with a knee injury. Jackson, the MAC's third-leading rusher last season, is doubtful for the Bowling Green game on Oct. 12. "He's not ready yet with his game stamina," said CMU coach Mike DeBord. ... The Chippewas are off until the Bowling Green game on Oct. 12. That begins a tough three-week stretch that includes the Falcons, Northern Illinois and Marshall. ... Eastern Michigan senior tailback Ime Akpan rushed for 251 yards on 37 carries, including a game-winning two-yard touchdown run, as Eastern Michigan defeated Southern Illinois in double overtime, 48-45. Akpan is a transfer from Youngstown State, who played sparingly last season. "He just showed up and said he wanted to play football," said Eagles coach Jeff Woodruff. "The thing that is so surprising is that he's so instinctive as a runner, because he hasn't had much playing time.". ... The Eagles (2-3, 0-1) have already matched last season's victory total. They can surpass it against winless Akron on Saturday. The Zips defeated EMU in last year's season finale, 65-62 in overtime. "Hopefully, we'll play better defense than we did a year ago," Woodruff said. ... Kent State (2-3, 0-2) suffered it second straight tough MAC loss, falling to Northern Illinois, 13-6, and likely ending any hopes of a conference title. The Golden Flashes lost to Miami last week, 27-20. "(The last two losses) are both heart-wrenching," said coach Dean Pees. "We've come a long, long way in this program, but we need to see some rewards." ... Pees was furious at officials after the game because of an illegal block he thought was missed during a 90-yard punt return by NIU's Dan Shelton in the second quarter. "It's (the officials') hobby, it's our profession, it's the kids' profession, it's not (the officials') game," Pees told the Akron Beacon-Journal. "It's not a joke." ... Quarterback Joshua Cribbs was held to a season-low 81 yards rushing and threw for only 109 yards. For the first time in Cribbs' career as a starter, the Golden Flashes did not score an offensive touchdown. ... With Marshall on deck Saturday, Kent State will have to play well not to lose a third straight conference game. The Thundering Herd have beaten the Golden Flashes five straight years. ... Marshall's Josh Davis, the MAC's leading receiver, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder on Wednesday and his status for Saturday's game against Kent State is "hopeful," according to coach Bob Pruett. Davis leads the Herd in receptions (23), receiving yards (423) and touchdowns (4). He has played in Marshall's three games despite a pulled quadriceps and separated shoulder. ... The Thundering Herd has won seven straight games from Kent State. ... Miami's Luke Clemens posted his second consecutive 100-yard game by rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns in Miami's 48-31 victory against Akron. Clemens has filled in capably for starter Cal Murray, who injured his ankle against LSU. Murray has begun jogging and will likely be the starter once he returns. "We subscribe to theory that you don't lose a job because of an injury, but Luke was playing a lot anyway," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "We'd like to have them both in there.". ... Miami (3-2, 2-0) registered a season-high four sacks, including three on successive plays in the fourth quarter. ... There was some bad news from Saturday's victory. Miami lost centers Todd Londot (ankle) and Dave Rehker (foot) as well as starting receiver Jason Branch (ankle) to injuries. ... The RedHawks are in the midst of a stretch in which they play five-of-seven games on the road. Next up is a trip to Cincinnati for the 107th Battle of the Bell on Saturday. ... Northern Illinois' Michael Turner carried 40 times for 203 yards in Saturday's 13-6 win against Kent State. It was the second consecutive week that Turner has rushed for more than 200 yards. The 223-pound tailback gained 282 yards, the most in a Division I-A game this season, against Western Illinois last week. He has four games of 200 yards in six career starts. "More and more as we go, people are going to key on Mike," said NIU coach Joe Novak. ... The defense played well, holding Kent State quarterback Joshua Cribbs to 190 yards of total offense. Cribbs came into the game averaging 306 yards. ... Dan Sheldon's 90-yard punt return for a touchdown set a school record. ... Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Thomas Hammock has been told to sit out two months and "not do anything" because of a heart condition that has yet to be completely diagnosed, Novak said. Hammock could redshirt if he does not return, Novak added. ... Flanker P.J. Fleck is out for the season with a torn hamstring. ... Ohio's Kevin Kerr's 37-yard field with 10 seconds defeated Buffalo 34-32 and snapped Ohio's 10-game losing streak. The Bobcats had not won since a 34-3 victory over Central Michigan last season. "Coming off the losing streak and the adversity we had come through, our players were tremendously excited," said coach Brian Knorr. ... Quarterback Dontrell Jackson rushed for 157 yards; and two touchdowns, but fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, allowing the Bulls to rebound from a 21-3 halftime deficit. ... The Bobcats face Bowling Green on Saturday. Ohio has won four of the the last six meetings between the schools. ... Toledo (3-2, 1-0) lost for the fourth time in its last five road games, dropping a 37-19 decision to Pittsburgh. The Rockets gave up a season-high 469 yards and turned the ball over three times. ... The Big Ten admitted its officials goofed during Toledo's 31-21 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 14. A 56-yard touchdown pass off a fake punt from Jason Cox to Carl Ford that gave the Rockets a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter was called back for an illegal block. Officials ruled that Ford caught the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, making the block illegal. The Big Ten called the ruling a mistake, saying Ford caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage, which brings no foul. The game result cannot be appealed and will stand. ... Kicker Jason Robbins has missed four extra points in five games, including two against Pittsburgh. Todd France, who Robbins replaced, missed only two extra points in four years with Toledo. Robbins is 3-of-4 on field goals. ... The Rockets have a week off before facing Ball State at the Glass Bowl on Oct. 12. The Cardinals snapped Toledo's 12-game win streak last season by posting a 24-20 victory. It was one of only two losses Toledo sustained in 2001. ... Quarterback Ryan Schneider threw for a career-high 397 yards and four touchdowns as UCF (1-3, 0-1) won for the first time this season, 48-17 against Liberty. The victory did not come without a cost. Starting tailback Albert Haynes injured his ankle on his third carry and did not return. ... Back-up tailback Keith Williams also was lost with an ankle injury. That forced the Knights to use sophomores Dee Brown and Andreal Curry, who combined for 93 rushing yards. Brown also contributed 63 receiving yards. ... Receiver Doug Gabriel caught six passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, marking the third time this season he's gone over 100 receiving yards. ... Quarterback Chad Munson suffered a concussion after he was sacked in the first quarter of Western Michigan's 30-0 loss to Virginia Tech and did not return. The defeat was WMU's third straight. ... The Broncos (1-3, 0-0) played well defensively, holding Virginia Tech's running game to 128 yards. The Hokies entered Saturday averaging 244.5 yards on the ground. ... Receiver Kendrick Mosley, playing for the first time this season after being sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot, caught seven passes for 66 yards. ... The Broncos have allowed 24 sacks in four games. No other MAC team has given up more than 14 sacks this season. ... Beginning Saturday at Buffalo, the Broncos begin a stretch in which they play MAC opponents for eight consecutive weeks.

Jorge Milian covers college football for the Palm Beach Post.