On The Clock
Rasheed Marshall

West Virginia University junior quarterback Rasheed Marshall is coming off an outstanding season in 2002. Marshall rushed for 666 yards, eclipsing Michael Vick's Big East quarterback season rushing record. He also passed for 1,616 yards and nine touchdowns in helping to lead WVU to a 9-4 record. PSR's George Von Benko caught up with Marshall, who hails from Brashear HS in Pittsburgh, and put him On The Clock.

PSR: You went to Valley Forge Prep before going to WVU. Was West Virginia a good choice for you?

RM: I feel good about all the decisions I've made. So far everything has gone pretty good and I feel as though if I can just keep up my learning process and going out there and just performing well , you can't ask for much more than that.

PSR: WVU coach Rich Rodriguez is known as an offensive minded coach. Do you like playing for him and in a high powered offense?

RM: It's a quarterback's dream. He puts you in a position to make a lot of plays and to be the man. As long as you step up to the plate and accept the challenge, everything is within reach. It's just up to me to keep learning and apply myself to being a better player.

PSR: What did you think about the defections of Miami and Virginia Tech from the Big East?

RM: I wasn't too surprised when it happened. I had the feeling something was going to happen and I wasn't sure which teams were going to leave, but once it happened it was just like let's get on with it. After awhile I just stopped keeping up with it because it was too much. I just feel what ever happened, happened and we'll just keep on going with the teams we have.

PSR: Is this an opportunity for WVU to rise to the top and make a statement?

RM: Yeah, definitely. It opens up some doors for this program. We have some good players. We have a chance to be at the top of the conference.

PSR: What are your expectations for this season?

RM: I think we can have a pretty good year. We did lose some people in some key positions, but I think we've got young guys who can step in and make the same plays that the seniors were making last year. It's up to them to step their role up and just be ready to go.