MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Rutgers running back Ray Rice didn't become the Big East rushing leader by being easily side-tracked.

"I like to maintain the ability to go forward," Ray Rice said, when asked for the key to his running success during a conference call with reporters following practice Tuesday.

Ray Rice not only leads the conference in rushing yards per game (142.7), he also tops the chart in rushing touchdowns (13), all-purpose yards per game (167.7) and points per game (12.0).

Ray Rice reignited his Heisman Trophy campaign with 181 yards on 39 carries last Thursday in a 30-27 victory against then second-ranked South Florida.

He can take his case to the nation when ABC broadcasts the conference showdown between No. 6 West Virginia (6-1, 1-1) and Rutgers (5-2, 1-1) at 12:10 p.m. Saturday at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, N.J.

"If the defense does their job, and we do our job, then the outcome of the game will take care of itself," Ray Rice said.

Ray Rice often saves his best for his top opponents, averaging 114 yards per game and five touchdowns against the five ranked teams he's played.

This time, Ray Rice won't be the only Heisman candidate on the field, as West Virginia's Steve Slaton seeks his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it," Slaton said of the individual matchup.

Ray Rice has rushed 204 times for 1,034 yards in seven games for a 4.9-yard average.

Slaton has picked up 778 yards and 10 scores on 135 attempts for a 5.6-yard average.