Dec. 23--CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's a week early to be crooning the traditional "Auld Lang Syne" that goes with the new year's calendar turnover, but it's a apropos tune for West Virginia's bowl game.

After all, it might be the last time for the near future a Mountaineer football defense is so celebrated -- and deservedly so.

With Dana Holgorsen bringing his passing-fancy offense to West Virginia, it's pretty apparent that's going to be the program's and the fans' focus in 2011 and the seasons beyond ... no matter whether the veteran defensive staff headed by coordinator Jeff Casteel remains intact.

The 3-3-5 odd stack scheme always has been different. And if 22nd-ranked WVU (9-3) can put a defensive period on the season and North Carolina State's airy attack in Tuesday night's Champs Sports Bowl, it will be a fitting end for a unit saying goodbye.

WVU surely will miss cornerback Brandon Hogan, out with a tear of an anterior cruciate ligament. He's the team's best cover corner, although junior Keith Tandy leads the Big East in interceptions (6).

But since the Mountaineers figure to play plenty of their SWAT and "40" (nickel and dime) safety-loaded packages even on second as well as third downs, Hogan's absence could be muted.

Hogan made 32 career starts for WVU, and is one of seven defensive starters that will end their career in the Orlando bowl -- six seniors and All-America junior safety Robert Sands, who seems ticketed for early NFL Draft entry.

The 11 West Virginia defensive starters for most of 2010 will have 311 career starts after Tuesday's bowl. If Sands joins the six seniors in exiting the program, 234 of those starts will be gone in 2011 -- and you might as well add in another 17 by linebacker Pat Lazear, who would have started had he not been injured when the season opened.

"That's one reason why we've been good," WVU senior tackle Scooter Berry said after a recent WVU workout before the team headed to the bowl site. "We've played so much together in this defense that we know who can do what."

Berry will make his 41st start in the bowl. Nose man Chris Neild (40), linebacker J.T. Thomas (39) and safeties Sidney Glover (32) and Sands (30) join Hogan with almost three full years of starts, too.

It also helps when your four-man defensive staff -- Casteel (coordinator, linebackers), Bill Kirelawich (line), Steve Dunlap (safeties) and David Lockwood (corners) -- has a combined 113 seasons of collegiate coaching experience and 61 bowl trips.

WVU is allowing 251.3 yards per game, ranking third nationally in total defense behind TCU and Ohio State. The last Big East team with a yards-allowed number that was lower was Virginia Tech, at 237.9 (second nationally) in 2001.

WVU is the only major college team that hasn't given up more than 21 points in a game. All of the defense's statistical rankings are glossy, but one that gets overlooked is touchdowns allowed.

The Mountaineers have permitted only 15, three fewer than any other team in the country (TCU, Alabama, 18). How good is that? Well, the 1996 WVU team that ranked first nationally in total defense (217.5 yards per game) allowed 17 TDs in the same number of games (12).

"The numbers we've put up, the way we've played, it's really gratifying because we know the work we've put in over the years," Berry said. "We've mostly all been here together, and Coach Casteel and Kirlav said over and over they knew we had the ability to have this type of team.

"It just took us a while to get it all out there, but now that we have, it shows up every game. The 3-3-5 stack gives us an advantage in that it's tough for (opponents) because they don't see it on a regular basis, but it's real tough for us to learn when you start out, too.

"That's why you see the defensive linemen here redshirt the first year almost all of the time. After playing in a 4-3 in high school, the learning curve is steep because picking up the technique you have to play is so different."

That's why 311 starts by the starters matter. That's why losing 234 of those will be a factor for WVU next season. Holgorsen's offense is going to have to score more and play time of possession more -- even through the air -- and turn it over less.

"We take a lot of pride in how we've played this season," said Berry, who came to WVU pretty much as a throw-in with his half-brother -- heralded running back recruit Jason Gwaltney didn't last a season at WVU. "It's all about assignments and playing those assignments.

"It's a gap-control defense, and if everybody does their own assignment we're good. It's like we're all attached to a string, and if everybody does his assignment, the defense is pretty much perfect and we get penetration and that's what we preach on.

"A team trying to prepare, especially during the season with only a week, it's way too tough. They're used to seeing four-man fronts or 3-4s. Then when you run what we do to perfection, it's even harder."

A new year and a new regime will change the WVU focus, but Berry and his senior defensive acquaintances, like the song says, should never be forgot.

Contact Sports Editor Jack Bogaczyk at jackb@dailymail.com or 304-348-7949.

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