The University of Cincinnati will dare Rasheed Marshall to pass Saturday. Forcing the elusive West Virginia quarterback to throw the football has been deemed better than chasing him around Nippert Stadium.

        “He's more of an athletic quarterback, so you have to respect that,” UC defensive end Antwan Peek said.

        Peek and his Bearcats defense believe containing the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Marshall in the pocket will minimize his scrambling opportunities. Of course, that sets up the Mountaineers' passing game.

        In an effort to thwart both, UC defensive ends will rush wide to keep Marshall from running wide, and linebackers will fill in gaps up front.

        “We don't want him running around everywhere, because once he gets outside the pocket, that's where he makes all his moves and makes people miss,” linebacker Tyjuan Hagler said.

        Marshall, who makes his rushing yards by either leaving the pocket early or utilizing the option, ranks second on the Mountaineers (1-1) with 118 rushing yards. He has rushed for one touchdown.

        Hagler said when Marshall runs option plays, he keeps the ball “nine out of 10 times” rather than pitching to tailback Avon Cobourne. Cobourne, who is trying to become just the fifth Division I-A running back to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons, leads West Virginia with 185 yards and three TDs.

        West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said he expects UC (1-0) to try to contain Marshall. No.21 Wisconsin was able to do so in its 34-17 victory over the Mountaineers.

        “Rasheed can really run, but he's a young guy,” Rodriguez said. “His rhythm was off in the first half. He didn't pitch and catch (on option plays) like we've seen him do. He hadn't been in that kind of situation before on the road.”

        If Marshall, 21, is able to get into the open field, Hagler said UC will be ready. The Bearcats want to limit Marshall and the Mountaineers to fewer than 100 yards rushing.

        “If (Marshall) runs the ball, we're going to make him pay for it,” Hagler said.

        UC's defense held TCU to 97 yards rushing but missed numerous open-field tackles and gave up some big plays before winning in overtime 36-29.

        West Virginia is averaging 104 yards a game.

        But Marshall is not a one-dimensional quarterback. Two games into his sophomore season, he has completed 31 of 58 passes for 382 yards and three scores. Against Wisconsin, Marshall accounted for 295 yards of total offense (219 passing, 76 rushing). Cobourne rushed for 79 yards.

        UC defensive coordinator A.J. Christoff said Marshall is the most athletic quarterback the Bearcats will face this season.

        But keeping Marshall in the pocket will give him more time to throw. To combat the extra time, Bearcats defensive backs will press West Virginia receivers.

        “He is truly a double threat, being able to run and pass the football,” Christoff said. “We've got to be able to stay sound and be conscious of the runs and be able to play the pass.

        “Just like he's a dual threat on offense, we're going to have to be a dual threat on defense to stop him.”

UC faces double-threat QB

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