West Virginia Mountaineers football
| West Virginia Mountaineers football | |||
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 2011 West Virginia Mountaineers football team |
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| First season | 1891 | ||
| Athletic director | Oliver Luck | ||
| Head coach | Dana Holgorsen | ||
| 2nd year, 10–3 (.769) | |||
| Home stadium | Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium | ||
| Stadium capacity | 60,000[1] | ||
| Stadium surface | FieldTurf | ||
| Location | Morgantown, West Virginia | ||
| Conference | Big 12 | ||
| Past conferences | WVIAC, SoCon, Independent, Big East | ||
| All-time record | 701–457–45 (.601) | ||
| Postseason bowl record | 14–17 | ||
| Conference titles | 15 (8 SoCon, 7 Big East) | ||
| Consensus All-Americans | 11 | ||
| Colors | Old Gold and Blue [2][3] | ||
| Fight song | Hail, West Virginia | ||
| Mascot | The Mountaineer | ||
| Marching band | The Pride of West Virginia | ||
| Outfitter | Nike | ||
| Rivals | Pitt Syracuse Maryland Louisville Marshall |
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| Website | MSNSportsnet.com | ||
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University (commonly referred to as "WVU") in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is WVU's current head coach, the 33rd in the program's history. The Mountaineers play their home games at Mountaineer Field on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. WVU will join the Big 12 Conference as of July 1, 2012.[4][5]
[edit] History
With a 701–457–45 record, West Virginia is the 14th winningest Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program of all-time,[6] as well as the winningest FBS program to have never claimed nor won a National Championship.[7] Beginning in the 1937 season, West Virginia was classified as a College Division school, and from 1939–72 as a University Division football school. From 1973–77, West Virginia was classified as Division I, from 1978–2006 as Division I-A, and from 2006–present as a FBS program.[8] The Mountaineers have registered 79 winning seasons in their history, with 35 of those seasons resulting in eight victories or more, 17 seasons resulting in at least nine victories, and eight seasons with ten victories or more.[9] Of those successful campaigns, West Virginia has produced one undefeated season in its history, going 10-0-1 in 1922. The Mountaineers have also produced five 11-win seasons, going 11-1 in 1988, 1993 and 2005, as well as 11-2 in 2006 and 2007. West Virginia's worst season came in 1960 when the Mountaineers produced a 0-8-2 record.[9]
[edit] Early years (1891–1920)
The West Virginia University football program traces its origin back to a humble beginning on November 28, 1891 when its first team fell to Washington & Jefferson 72-0 on a converted cow pasture.[10][11] Despite its humble beginning, West Virginia enjoyed a 25-23-3 overall record prior to 1900, which proved to be a fruitful century of Mountaineer football. The early 1900s brought about early successes for the program, namely during the 1903 and 1905 seasons when the Mountaineers posted records of 7-1 and 8-1 respectively.[9] The 1904 season may well be the most intriguing in Mountaineer history, as WVU posted a 6-3 overall record despite losing to Penn State, Pitt, and Michigan by a combined score of 217-0.[12] The 1908-20 period saw the four-year head coaching tenures of C.A. Lueder (1908–11) and Mont McIntire (1916–17, 1919–20), representing the longest coaching tenures during this early period of Mountaineer football. Lueder's Mountaineers produced a 17-13-3 record, while McIntire's teams produced the most success of any Mountaineer team prior to 1921, compiling a 24-11-4 record including a 8-2 finish in 1919.[9] That same Mountaineer team also produced West Virginia's first ever Consensus All-American and potential College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ira Errett Rodgers.[11] Rodgers scored 19 touchdowns and kicked 33 extra points for WVU in 1919 season, leading the nation with 147 total points. Rodgers also threw 11 touchdown passes that season, an unheard of feat at the time and a Mountaineer record until 1949.[13]
Notable games (1891–1920)
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[edit] First glimpses of success (1921–49)
The 1920s were indeed "roaring" for the Mountaineers, coinciding with the successful coaching tenures of Clarence Spears (1921–24) and Ira Errett Rodgers (1925–30, 1943–45). Under the tutelage of Spears, West Virginia compiled a 30-6-3 record with its best performance coming in the 1922 season. The 1922 edition of the Mountaineers remains the only team in West Virginia history to produce an undefeated season, finishing with a 10-0-1 mark.[9] Spears's Mountaineers surrendered only 34 total points in 1922, posting six consecutive shutouts to finish the regular season.[16] The 1922 season also produced notable victories against rival Pitt and against Gonzaga in the East-West Bowl, the program's first bowl game appearance. The season also saw offensive tackle Russell Meredith garner first-team All-American honors. In homage to the successes of the 1922 season, West Virginia University undertook construction of what would become the first incarnation of Mountaineer Field.[11]
The Mountaineers continued their success under Spears in posting subsequent one-loss seasons in 1923 (7-1-1) and in 1924 (8-1), with Spears departing the program for Wisconsin thereafter. Over his four year tenure at West Virginia, Spears produced an impressive 30-6-3 record with the Mountaineers.[17] Replacing Spears was Mountaineer legend Ira Errett Rodgers, who took over the coaching reigns in 1925. Rodgers's Mountaineers continued the success of previous years in posting a 8-1 record that season. After two seasons of lackluster performances, the program returned to its winning ways with a 8-2 finish in 1928.[9] Unfortunately for Rodgers, his first tenure as West Virginia coach ended with subsequent mediocre seasons in 1929 (4-3-3) and 1930 (5-5).[9]
Taking over for Rodgers in 1931 was Earle "Greasy" Neale, but his tenure was short-lived as the Mountaineers failed to produce a single winning season under his guise, going a combined 12-16-3 over Neale's three years as coach.[9] Charles Tallman, a 1923 All-American End with the Mountaineers, replaced Neale in 1934 and produced immediate results as the program posted 6-4 records in 1934 and 1936.[9] Although West Virginia posted a 3-4-2 record in 1935, the program produced an All-American in offensive tackle Joe Stydahar. "Jumbo Joe" would later become both a College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Despite his winning record, Tallman resigned after the 1936 season to pursue his career in law enforcement as Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police.[18]
Marshall Glenn picked up right where Tallman left off, leading West Virginia to a 8-1-1 record in 1937. The season concluded with an upset of Texas Tech in the 1938 Sun Bowl.[19] Running back Harry Clarke paved the way for the Mountaineers that season, rushing for a then school record 921 yards and 10 touchdowns.[20] Glenn's success was short-lived, however, as subsequent WVU teams posted losing records of 4-5-1 in 1938 and 2-6-1 in 1939, leading to his ouster.[9] West Virginia experienced a lag in success during much of the 1940s, producing only three winning seasons while witnessing the split coaching tenures of Bill Kern (1940–42, 1946–47) and the second appearance of Ira Errett Rodgers (1943–45).[9] Under the direction of head coach Dudley DeGroot in the 1948 season, the Mountaineers returned to prominence with a 9-3 finish, adding another Sun Bowl victory to its resume with a 21-12 defeat of Texas Western (UTEP).[21] Despite that successful first season at the program's helm, DeGroot would resign after a disappointing 4-6-1 finish in 1949.[22]
Notable games (1921–49)
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[edit] From regional to national (1950–69)
When Art "Pappy" Lewis became West Virginia's head coach in 1950, he remarked that it was the job that he had always wanted.[22] Known by his peers as an exceptional recruiter and by his players as a "father figure," Lewis established a family-like atmosphere within the Mountaineer football program.[22] Lewis's Mountaineer teams held true to form, experiencing its most consistent success during the 1950s as it ever had previously. After forgettable campaigns in 1950 and '51, the 1952 season brought West Virginia its first winning season since 1948. The Mountaineers finished with a 7-2 record, highlighted by a 16-0 upset victory of #18 Pitt in Pittsburgh.[23] It was this winning season that would set the tone for the halcyon days of Art Lewis's program.
Beginning with the 1953 season, the Mountaineers would reel off three consecutive 8-win seasons and five Southern Conference (SoCon) championships in six seasons.[9] When West Virginia defeated Pitt 17-7 to open the 1953 season, the program was off an running. Led by three All-Americans - running back Tommy Allman, guard Gene Lamone, and center Bob Orders - the Mountaineers finished with a 8-2 record, its first SoCon championship, a #10 ranking in the Associated Press (AP) Poll, and a berth in the 1953 Sugar Bowl with Georgia Tech.[24] The 1954 edition of the Mountaineers also finished the regular season with a 8-1 mark, losing its only game to Pitt by a 13-10 score. Despite winning its second consecutive SoCon title, and earning a #12 ranking in the AP Poll, the Mountaineers did not earn a bowl bid.[25] In 1955, the Mountaineers engineered yet another 8-win season and SoCon championship, but upset losses to Pitt and Syracuse doomed West Virginia's shot at a bowl bid.[26] Despite its disappointing finish, 1955 Mountaineer team produced two All-American offensive linemen and future College Football Hall of Fame inductees in Bruce Bosley and Sam Huff, as well as a 800-yard rusher in running back Bob Moss.[27] Bosley earned Consensus All-American status that season, becoming the first Mountaineer to do so since Ira Errett Rodgers in 1919.
Despite finishing with a modest 6-4 record in 1956, West Virginia won its fourth consecutive SoCon title with a 5-0 record in conference play.[28] The 1957 season was yet another winning endeavor for Lewis and WVU, finishing with a 7-2-1 record and a 3-0 mark in Southern Conference play. Although the Mountaineers once again compiled an undefeated SoCon record, Mountaineers were not awarded the conference championship, as VMI earned the title with a 9-0-1 overall record and 6-0 record in SoCon play.[29] As irony would have it, the 1958 season brought the Mountaineers its first losing season in eight years, but their 4-0 record in SoCon play earned the program its 5th conference title in six seasons.[30] Unfortunately for Art Lewis and his Mountaineers, 1958 would be the final season that West Virginia would win a conference championship under his tenure. The 1959 season saw the Mountaineers finish 3-7, losing the final five games of the season by a combined score of 24-140.[31] Lewis resigned as head coach thereafter. Despite the program's drop off in success in his final two seasons as coach, Lewis produced 58 victories overall during his tenure at West Virginia, making him the winningest coach in Mountaineer history at the time (now 3rd overall).[32]
After Lewis's departure, the program hit an all-time low in 1960 under first-year head coach Gene Corum, posting its worst season to date: 0-8-2. The Mountaineers were simply embarrassed by their opponents, being outscored 40-259 on the season.[33] The Mountaineers rebounded, however, and by 1962 were back to their winning ways, posting a 8-2 record and 4-0 conference record. Despite its undefeated conference record, once again the SoCon crown eluded the Mountaineers in favor of the VMI Keydets and their 6-0 record in conference play.[34] West Virginia would not have to wait long for its next SoCon title, however, as the program won the title in the 1964 and '65 seasons consecutively. The 1964 season saw the Mountaineers finish 7-4 and participate in the Liberty Bowl against Utah, West Virginia's first bowl game in 11 years as well as the first major college football bowl game ever played indoors and to be broadcast nationwide in the United States.[35] Corum's tenure ended thereafter, posting a 29-30-2 record over his six seasons as head coach. Corum's legacy went well beyond wins and losses, however, as he integrated WVU football in 1963 with the program's first African-American recruits in Roger Alford and Dick Leftridge.[36]
Following the 1965 season, Jim Carlen took over for Corum as head coach, guiding the Mountaineers to their 8th and final SoCon championship in 1967.[37] West Virginia would depart the Southern Conference thereafter, participating as an independent until 1991. Carlen's Mountaineers would produce subsequent winning seasons in 1968 and '69, posting records of 7-3 and 10-1 respectively. The 1969 edition of the Mountaineers was the most successful West Virginia team since the 1922 season.[9] Not only did the Mountaineers win 10 games, but they earned their first bowl game victory since 1948 with a Peach Bowl victory over #19 South Carolina, as well as a #18 final ranking in the Coaches' Poll. The '69 Mountaineers were led by a dynamic rushing tandem of running back Bob Gresham (1,155 yards and 9 touchdowns) and fullback Jim Braxton (843 yards, 12 touchdowns).[38] Braxton's performance remains a WVU single season record for rushing yards amongst fullbacks,[39] while Gresham became the second Mountaineer to ever rush for more than 1,000 yards (Garrett Ford, Sr. was the first with 1,068 yards in 1966).[40] At the conclusion of the 1969 season, Carlen departed West Virginia for Texas Tech. The Mountaineers responded by hiring Bobby Bowden, ushering in the 1970s and a new era of WVU football.
Notable games (1950–69)
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[edit] Top of the mountain to the bottom of the holler (1970–79)
The Bobby Bowden era of West Virginia Mountaineer football couldn't have begun more swimmingly in 1970, or so it seemed. The Mountaineers were 4-1 to start the season and led arch rival Pitt 35-8 at halftime in Week 6.[41] What transpired was one of the most infamous collapses in Backyard Brawl and West Virginia football history. The Mountaineers surrendered 28 unanswered points, losing to the Panthers 36-35 and leading Bowden to remark that he had "embarrassed the whole state of West Virginia" in the process.[42] Despite the disappointment of the Pitt defeat, West Virginia would go on to finish 8-3 in 1970.[43] The 1970 season also saw Jim Braxton and linebacker Dale Farley earn All-American honors.
The Mountaineers continued their winning ways under Bowden in 1971 and '72, posting records of 7-4 and 8-4 respectively. The 1972 West Virginia team earned its first trip back to a bowl game in three years, participating once again in the Peach Bowl against North Carolina State.[44] The season also witnessed the offensive prowess of running back Kerry Marbury and wide receiver Danny Buggs. Marbury ran for 16 touchdowns in 1972, a record that remained unbroken until 2002.[45] Buggs, meanwhile, was an offensive dynamo. Buggs recorded 35 receptions for 791 yards and eight touchdowns, ran for four touchdowns, and returned two punts for touchdowns to amass 14 total touchdowns.[46]
The 1973 and '74 seasons, however, were not kind to the Mountaineers, as they finished with lackluster records of 6-5 and 4-7. Despite the disappointment of those seasons, Danny Buggs earned All-American status for his contributions in both campaigns. His 69-yard punt return for a touchdown with 36 seconds remaining to beat Maryland in the 1973 season opener remains one of the greatest moments in Mountaineer history.[47] The 1975 season, however, was very kind to West Virginia and Bobby Bowden. The Mountaineers compiled a 9-3 record, a 13-10 Peach Bowl victory over North Carolina State, and a final ranking of #17 in the Coaches' Poll and #20 in the AP Poll.[48] Additionally, the Mountaineers upset the #20 Pitt Panthers 17-14 on a game-winning field goal in the dying seconds in yet another memorable chapter of the Backyard Brawl. Bowden would later describe the victory as one of the most exciting ones of his coaching career.[42] Following the 1975 season, Bowden left WVU to become the head coach at Florida State, where he would become the second winningest coach in NCAA Division I-A/FBS history. In just six seasons with the Mountaineers Bowden produced a 42-26 record, good for 5th all-time in the program.[32] Bowden's departure not only signaled the end of his tenure at West Virginia, but to the end of WVU's winning ways in the 1970s.
Under the direction of Frank Cignetti, the Mountaineers endured four seasons of losing football. The 1976 season saw West Virginia finish with a 5-6 record, losing four of its final six games.[49] The disappointment of 1976 was realized again the following season, as the Mountaineers posted another 5-6 finish in 1977. After a promising 4-1 start to the season, including an upset road victory over #11 Maryland, WVU lost five of its final six games.[50] The program's futility would reach a new low in 1978, where the Mountaineers finished 2-9 and were outscored 364-167 on the season.[51] It was later revealed that Cignetti had suffered through the season from a rare form of cancer, nearly losing his life on the operating table during a procedure to remove his spleen in the winter of 1978.[52] Fortunately for Cignetti and WVU, he recovered in time for the 1979 season, his final with the program. The Mountaineers produced another 5-6 finish, losing its first three games and later dropping three out of their final four games to close the book on Cignetti's coaching career at West Virginia.[53]
Despite the program's apparent shortcomings during Cignetti's tenure, there were plenty of positives that came from his legacy at WVU. Cignetti managed to land prized recruit and future Consensus All-American linebacker Darryl Talley, as well as standout quarterback and current Athletic Director Oliver Luck and running back Robert Alexander. Cignetti’s coaching staffs also consisted of some of the best coaches in college football, including Nick Saban, Joe Pendry and Rick Trickett (who, along with Rich Rodriguez, was later credited as an innovator in utilizing the zone blocking scheme in conjunction with the run-based spread offense at WVU).[52] However, with a 17-27 record during his four years with the program, and in having to follow in the footsteps of the great Bobby Bowden, Cignetti's tenure with the Mountaineers will likely retain its distinction as one of the most forgettable ones in the program's history.
Notable games (1970–79)
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[edit] The Nehlen feelin': a rise in prominence (1980–90)
In the wake of Frank Cignetti's firing, the West Virginia Athletic Department determined that a full rebuild was in order for the program.[54] On December 10, 1979, West Virginia introduced Don Nehlen as its new head coach, the 30th coach in the program's history. Coinciding with Nehlen's hire was the construction of the second incarnation of Mountaineer Field, the program's current home stadium.[54] Nehlen brought sweeping change to the Mountaineer football program, going so far as to implement a new logo and color scheme that remains in use to this day. Most importantly, Nehlen brought a winning attitude to Morgantown and demanded that his players and coaching staff follow suit.[54] The result would forever change the culture of Mountaineer football, bringing about unprecedented consistency and success during his two-decade tenure at West Virginia. After a 6-6 campaign in 1980, Nehlen's 1981 Mountaineers produced the first of 15 winning seasons under his direction. It also marked the first of three consecutive 9-win seasons and four consecutive bowl game appearances for the Mountaineers. Led by senior quarterback Oliver Luck's 2,448 yards passing and 16 touchdowns, the 1981 team posted a 9-3 record and earned a trip back to the Peach Bowl, where they defeated the Florida Gators 26-6. The Mountaineers also finished ranked in the polls for the first time since 1975, coming in at #17 in the AP and #18 in the Coaches'.[55]
The 1982 Mountaineers experienced similar success. Sparked by their come-from-behind upset victory over #9 Oklahoma to open the season, the Mountaineers rolled to a 9-2 record, remaining ranked in the AP poll throughout the season en route to a Gator Bowl berth with Bobby Bowden and Florida State. Despite its Gator Bowl loss, West Virginia once again finished the season 9-3 and ranked 19th in both final polls.[56] Nehlen's '82 Mountaineers also produced its first Consensus All-American since 1955 in linebacker Darryl Talley, who recorded 140 tackles and seven sacks in his senior year.[57] The 1983 season saw the Mountaineers win their first six games and attain a #4 ranking in the AP Poll. West Virginia's hopes of a special season collapsed in week 8, however, as the Mountaineers were upset by Penn State 41-23, marking WVU's 25th consecutive loss to the Nittany Lions.[58] WVU lost three of its final five regular season games before defeating Kentucky in the Hall of Fame Classic. It was the third consecutive season for WVU to finish ranked, coming in at #16 in both the AP and Coaches' polls.[58] Quarterback Jeff Hostetler led the offensive attack with 2,345 yards passing and 16 touchdowns, while Kicker Paul Woodside received All-American honors in converting 21 of 25 field goal attempts and all 37 of his extra point attempts en route to a team-leading 100 points.[59]
Although the 1984 season had all off the makings of a memorable one for West Virginia, the Mountaineers experienced their first letdown in Nehlen's tenure. West Virginia started the '84 season with an impressive 7-1 record, posting an upset victory over #4-ranked Boston College and its first victory over Penn State in 25 meetings along the way. The Mountaineers were upset in each of their final three regular season games, however, losing to Virginia, Rutgers and Temple to close out the regular season at 8-3.[60] WVU rebounded to defeat Texas Christian in the Bluebonnet Bowl, finishing the season at 8-4 with a #21 ranking in the final Coaches' poll. The 1984 team also produced three All-Americans in return specialist Willie Drewrey, kicker Paul Woodside, and tight end Rob Bennett.[61]
After four consecutive seasons of bowl berths and finishes in at least one of the polls, West Virginia went on a two-year drought in 1985 and '86, finishing those seasons with records of 7-3-1 and 4-7 (Nehlen's first of only four losing seasons) respectively. The shortcomings of those seasons came to a head in 1987, where a young, promising Mountaineer team endured a season of growing pains and near-misses. Despite a 1-3 start, West Virginia rallied to finish the regular season at 6-5 with four of their five losses coming by deficits of 5 points or less.[62] Freshman quarterback Major Harris led the way for the Mountaineers, compiling 16 total touchdowns and providing glimpses of what was to come in his illustrious collegiate career.[63] Perhaps fittingly, the season of near-misses culminated in a 35-33 loss to #11 Oklahoma State in the Sun Bowl, a game in which the Mountaineers led 24-14 at halftime and lost on a failed two-point conversion attempt with 1:13 remaining.[64] The near-misses of 1987 gave way to the 1988 season, a season that will live on as one of the greatest in Mountaineer history.
The 1988 edition of the Mountaineers was one for the ages, featuring gifted sophomore quarterback Major Harris and a stifling defense. Entering the season at #16 in the AP Poll, West Virginia breezed through its schedule for its first undefeated regular season since 1922 and its first ever 11-win season. The Mountaineers averaged 43 points and 483 yards per game during the regular season, rolling up 30 or more points in 10 of its games (including a 51-30 rout of Penn State, the most points ever surrendered by a Joe Paterno-coached team).[65] The success of the regular season culminated in West Virginia's first (and only) trip to a National Championship Game in its history, where the #3 Mountaineers met #1 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. It was there that the magical run would come to an end. On the third play from scrimmage, Harris separated his left shoulder.[66] His injury diminished his scrambling ability for the rest of the game, as he amassed only 11 yards rushing. Despite the injury and with WVU trailing 26-13 in the 3rd quarter, Harris and the Mountaineers were in position to mount a comeback at the Irish 26 yard line. The WVU offense sputtered, however, and Notre Dame's Tony Rice put the game out of reach with his second touchdown pass of the contest. Notre Dame went on to win the Fiesta Bowl 34-21 and the National Championship. The once prolific Mountaineer offense hit a wall against the Irish defense, amassing only 282 yards.[66] West Virginia finished the 1988 campaign ranked #5 in the both the AP and Coaches' Polls. Major Harris compiled 610 yards rushing, 1,915 yards passing, and 20 total touchdowns on the season.[67]
Coming off of its first ever 11-win season and with junior Major Harris returning to lead a potent offense, West Virginia entered the 1989 season ranked 17th in the AP Poll and with high expectations. The Mountaineers started the season accordingly, racing to a 4-0 record and to #9 in the AP Poll. In Week 5 against #10 Pitt, however, West Virginia fell victim to another memorable collapse in the Backyard Brawl. Trailing 31-9 in the 4th quarter, Pitt scored 22 unanswered points and kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired to force a 31-31 tie.[68] The Mountaineers would suffer another heartbreaking result the following week with a 12-10 home loss to Virginia Tech, as well as a 19-9 loss to #16 Penn State in State College. Despite those disappointing defeats, WVU finished the regular season at 8-2-1, a #17 ranking in the AP Poll, and a trip to the Gator Bowl to face #14 Clemson. The Mountaineers faltered, however, losing 27-7 and finished the season at 8-3-1 with a #21 ranking in the final AP Poll.[69] The 1990 season, West Virginia's final as a NCAA Division I-A Independent, coincided with a lackluster 4-7 finish.
Notable games (1980–90)
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[edit] Legacy of a legend (1991–2001)
West Virginia entered the 1991 season as new members of the Big East in what would become a 20-year affiliation with the conference. After disappointing finishes of 6-5 in 1991 and 5-4-2 in 1992, the 1993 season saw the Mountaineers return to ranks of the college football elite.
For the second time in six seasons, West Virginia produced an undefeated, 11-win regular season in 1993. The Mountaineers put together a slew of heart-stopping victories in 1993, beginning with a 36-34 upset of #17 Louisville in Morgantown. The two most memorable wins, however, would come in the final two games of the regular season in Big East Conference play. Facing a 14-10 deficit in the 4th quarter against #4 Miami, running back Robert Walker scored on a 18-yard touchdown run to upset the Hurricanes before a record crowd of 70,222 at Mountaineer Field.[77] The following week, the Mountaineers trailed #11 Boston College 14-3 in the 4th quarter of the regular season finale. With a Big East title and possible trip to the National Championship Game on the line, senior quarterback Darren Studstill engineered two touchdown-scoring drives, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Hill with 1:08 remaining, to cap another thrilling 17-14 victory and give the Mountaineers their first ever Big East Conference Championship.[78] Despite being undefeated and ranked #2 in the Coaches' Poll and #3 in the AP Poll, however, West Virginia was not selected to play in the Orange Bowl for a possible National Championship. The Bowl Coalition system, designed to place the top two ranked teams in the National Championship Game, slotted the Mountaineers at #3 behind 11-1 Florida State. The Seminoles were selected to play #1 Nebraska for the National Championship, while West Virginia settled for a Sugar Bowl berth against SEC Champion Florida. The Gators routed the Mountaineers 41-7, denying West Virginia of its perfect season. WVU finished the season at 11-1, ranked #6 in the Coaches' Poll and #7 in the AP Poll. Robert Walker amassed a then-school record 1,250 rushing yards along with 11 touchdowns on the season.[79]
Unfortunately for Nehlen, the '93 season would be his final season with double-digit victories as his subsequent Mountaineer teams failed to recapture that level of success. After posting a 7-6 record in 1994 and a 5-6 mark in '95, the 1996 Mountaineers showed promise of returning the program to national prominence. West Virginia jumped out to a 7-0 record in 1996, only to lose three of its final four regular season games en route to a 8-3 record and a 20-13 defeat in the Gator Bowl at the hands of #12 North Carolina to finish 8-4.[80] The 1997 season witnessed another strong start from the Mountaineers, taking a 7-2 record into the final two weeks of the season. Once again, the Mountaineers faltered as they lost 21-14 at Notre Dame and 41-38 in triple overtime to a 5-5 Pitt team to finish the regular season at 7-4. The late season collapse culminated in another bowl game defeat, this time to Georgia Tech in the Carquest Bowl.[81] Despite the disappointing conclusion to the season, quarterback Marc Bulger emerged as a capable leader throwing for 2,465 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running back Amos Zereoué shattered Robert Walker's rushing record with 1,589 yards, and his 18 rushing touchdowns remain tied for the second most in a single season at WVU.[82]
The 1998 season brought with it high expectations for the Mountaineers, as the program entered the season ranked #11 in the AP Poll. The program also benefited from Don Nehlen's long-time push for a specialized practice facility with the opening of the Caperton Indoor Facility in August.[83] Despite dropping its opening game to #1 Ohio State,[84] West Virginia rebounded to win its next four games and went on to finish the season with a 8-3 record and 5-2 mark in Big East conference play. The Mountaineers failed to attain nine wins, however, as they lost their 8th consecutive bowl game in the Insight.com Bowl to Missouri.[85] Marc Bulger set two WVU records with 3,607 yards passing and 31 touchdown passes, while Amos Zereoué amassed 1,462 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in his final season as a Mountaineer. In addition, receivers Shawn Foreman and David Saunders finished with eight touchdown receptions each.[86] After a forgettable 4-7 finish in 1999, Don Nehlen's final season saw his Mountaineers finish the 2000 season at 7-5 with a victory in the Music City Bowl over Ole Miss, ending West Virginia's streak of futility in bowl games.[87] Overall, Nehlen posted a 149-93-4 record during his tenure at West Virginia, making him both the longest-serving and winningest coach in Mountaineer history.[32] As the man responsible for shaping the Mountaineer football program and bringing it to national relevancy in his 21 seasons in Morgantown, Nehlen was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Most importantly, he left a legacy of success that laid the foundation for the program's most successful and prominent era.
After Don Nehlen's retirement, the program entered a new era with its first new head coach in 20 years and the 31st coach in its history: Rich Rodriguez. If taking over for a legend wasn't difficult enough for Rodriguez, his first season at the helm of the program while instituting his run-based conception of the spread offense made his job all the more stressful. The 2001 edition of the Mountaineers finished 3-8, its worst record since 1978. Perhaps most importantly, however, the conclusion 2001 season set the stage for the emergence of the most successful era in Mountaineer football history.[9]
Notable games (1991–2001)
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[edit] Golden era (2002–present)
The 2002 season represented the biggest single-season turnaround in program history. Despite a 5-3 record through the season's first eight games, the Mountaineers reeled off four consecutive victories, including upset road wins over then-ranked rivals Virginia Tech (#13) and Pitt (#17).[91] West Virginia finished the regular season at 9-3 overall, with a 6-1 conference record for 2nd place in the Big East, and a berth in the Continental Tire Bowl with Virginia. Despite losing its bowl game, West Virginia finished with a 9-4 record and was ranked in both the Coaches' (#20) and AP (#25) polls for the first time since 1993.
The excitement generated from the accomplishments of the 2002 campaign was short-lived as the Mountaineers stumbled to a 1-4 record early 2003 season. West Virginia rebounded, however, and in similar fashion to the previous season reeled off seven consecutive victories. Once again those wins included triumphs over #3 Virginia Tech and #16 Pitt. The victory over Pitt was especially memorable for the Mountaineers as they scored 52 points in the Backyard Brawl for the 3rd time in five years, outscoring a vaunted Panther offense.[92] The Mountaineers completed their impressive turnaround with a 8-4 regular season record and a 6-1 conference mark, earning them a share of their first Big East title since 1993.[93] West Virginia earned a trip to the Gator Bowl for a rematch with rival Maryland. The result for the Mountaineers was nearly a duplicate of their 34-7 defeat to the Terrapins earlier in the season, as they fell 41-7 and finished the season 8-5.
In contrast to 2002 and 2003, the 2004 Mountaineer season may best be remembered for what the Mountaineers failed to accomplish. West Virginia, ranked #10 in the AP Poll to begin the season, jumped out to a 8-1 record.[94] In the final two games of the regular season, however, the Mountaineers collapsed, losing to #21 Boston College and to unranked Pitt. Most importantly, those losses culminated in West Virginia's squandering of its opportunity to win the Big East outright for the first time since 1993, leading to a four-way tie for first place and the BCS Fiesta Bowl nomination going to Pitt by virtue of tiebreaker. The disappointing season drew to a close with 30-18 loss to Florida State in the Gator Bowl.
The sour taste of 2004 did not carry into the 2005 season, however, as it was a special one for the Mountaineers. After a 5-1, albeit unimpressive, start to the season, the Mountaineers came alive in Week 7 against #19 Louisville as quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton cut loose on the Cardinal defense to erase a 24-7 4th quarter deficit en route to a thrilling 46-44 triple overtime victory.[95] From that point forward, the Mountaineers cruised through the remaining Big East schedule, outscoring their opponents 111-26 en route to a 10-1 finish and an undefeated record in conference play for their 2nd outright Big East championship (3rd overall).[96] The Mountaineers earned their first ever BCS bowl game berth when they faced #8 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. West Virginia jumped on the Bulldogs with 21-1st quarter points and never looked back, stunning Georgia with a 38-35 victory. Slaton earned Sugar Bowl MVP honors for his performance (204 yards rushing and three touchdowns).[97] The Mountaineers finished the 2005 season with their third ever 11-win season, earning rankings of #5 and #6 in the AP and Coaches' Polls respectively. The emergence of White and Slaton provided the Mountaineers with two of the most prolific offensive performers in NCAA football history.
The Mountaineers once again posted 11 wins in the 2006 season, narrowly missing out on another Big East championship after disappointing losses to Louisville and South Florida. The Mountaineers did, however, pull out another triple overtime thriller with a 41-39 victory over #13 Rutgers in the final game of the regular season. West Virginia remained ranked in the top 15 in both polls throughout the season, earning another New Year's Day bowl game as they met the Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. West Virginia came away with another 38-35 victory, winning consecutive bowl games for the first time since the 1983 and 1984 seasons. Additionally, center Dan Mozes and running back Steve Slaton earned Consensus All-American honors. Slaton's 1,744 rushing yards in 2006 remains West Virginia single-season record.[98] The 2006 edition of the Mountaineers managed to register 505 points, a single-season record for West Virginia at that time.[99]
The 2007 season may well be regarded as the most infamous season in West Virginia football history. The Mountaineers, fresh off the successes of the 2005 and 2006 seasons, attained a preseason ranking of #3 in the country and had aspirations of a National Championship. The Mountaineers raced to 4-0 out of the gate, outscoring their opponents by a 189-68 margin.[100] In Week 5, however, West Virginia suffered an upset defeat at the hands of #18 South Florida before a sellout crowd at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.[100] The Mountaineers would rebound, however, winning their next six games, including a 66-21 victory over UConn to secure its 5th Big East title and its 2nd BCS bowl appearance. West Virginia rose to as high as #2 in the AP Poll and #1 in the Coaches' Poll, needing only a victory in Morgantown over a 4-7, heavy underdog Pitt team in the 100th installment of the Backyard Brawl to secure its second ever National Championship Game appearance. That victory did not come, however, as Pat White was injured in the first half and the Mountaineer offense sputtered against an inspired Pitt defense to the tune of a devastating 13-9 defeat.[101]
The fallout of that defeat reached beyond National Championship implications for the program, as it culminated in the departure of Rich Rodriguez to Michigan, ending his tenure at West Virginia with a 60-26 record as the 2nd winningest coach in the program's history.[102][103] Rodriguez left prior to West Virginia's meeting with #3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The Mountaineers proved resilient, however, as they put together an upset of their own with an impressive 48-28 victory over the Sooners. Long-time assistant coach Bill Stewart, named as interim head coach for the game, was rewarded thereafter with a five-year contract to become West Virginia's 32nd head coach.[104] Despite the upset loss to Pitt and Rodriguez's departure, the Mountaineers managed to win another BCS bowl game and secure its fifth 11-win season. Furthermore, West Virginia shattered the 2006 record of points scored in a season by posting 515 (an average of 39 points per game) in 2007.[105] The Mountaineers concluded the 2007 season ranked at #6 in both the final AP and Coaches' Polls.
The 2008 season saw the Mountaineers transition into the Bill Stewart era. It was also the final season of Pat White's decorated collegiate career. Resolve and resiliency were once again the hallmark of the program in 2008, rebounding from a 1-2 start to finish in 2nd place in the Big East at 9-4 overall with a Meineke Car Care Bowl victory over North Carolina and a #23 ranking in the AP Poll. The bowl victory was West Virginia's fourth in a row, giving White a postseason record of 4-0 as a starting quarterback, a feat never before accomplished in collegiate play.[106] White's biggest accomplishment came in Week 13, however, when he set the NCAA rushing yardage record for quarterbacks with a 200-yard performance in a 35-21 win over Louisville.[107]
The 2009 edition of the Mountaineers saw West Virginia post another 9-win season and 2nd place finish in the Big East. Most notably, the Mountaineers ended their two-year losing streak in the Backyard Brawl and exacted a measure of revenge with a thrilling upset victory over #8 Pitt on Tyler Bitancurt's game-winning 43-yard field goal in the closing seconds. West Virginia failed to reach an attainable 10 win-season, however, when it lost the Gator Bowl to a 6-6 Florida State team in Bobby Bowden's final game. Junior running back Noel Devine posted career bests with 1,465 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns,[108] while senior Jarrett Brown became the first Mountaineer quarterback since Chad Johnston in 1995 to throw for over 2,000 yards.[109]
The 2010 season brought WVU its third consecutive 9-win season. Nonetheless, the season was ultimately a disappointment for the Mountaineers. Despite assembling arguably the best defense in program history (surrendering only 176 total points, an average of 13.5 per game) and having a talented offense featuring Noel Devine, quarterback Geno Smith, and receiver Jock Sanders, West Virginia struggled with consistency all season. The regular season saw the Mountaineers lose to #15 LSU, Syracuse and UConn by a combined 14 points, while the Mountaineer defense did not surrender more than 23 points scored against in a single game throughout the season. Perhaps the most glaring defeat of the season came against UConn in Week 9 where West Virginia lost four fumbles, including one at UConn's 1-yard line in overtime, in a 16-13 loss.[110] The loss came back to haunt the Mountaineers as they failed to win the Big East conference outright and again lost out on a BCS Bowl bid by virtue of tiebreaker (head-to-head record) to UConn.
Prior to West Virginia's Champs Sports Bowl match up with North Carolina State, Athletic Director Oliver Luck announced that Dana Holgorsen would be hired as the "coach-in-waiting," serving as offensive coordinator during the 2011 season and replacing Stewart as head coach in 2012. Luck explained that he didn't believe that the Mountaineers had an opportunity to win a national championship with the direction that the program was headed under Stewart as the reasoning for his decision.[111] Nearly six months later, the coach-in-waiting arrangement imploded as Stewart resigned amidst controversy surrounding his remarks to local newspaper reporters in regard to Holgorsen's reputation. Holgorsen assumed the role of head coach as of June 10, 2011.[112]
The onset of the Dana Holgorsen era brought about heightened expectations for the program as the Mountaineers entered the 2011 season as the odds-on favorite to win the Big East title.[113] The Mountaineers finished the regular season with a 9-3 record (5-2 in Big East play) and a share of its 7th Big East title.[114] Because West Virginia finished in a three-way tie for the Big East championship with Cincinnati and Louisville, and all three teams compiled a 1-1 head-to-head record amongst each other, the conference tie-breaking procedure stipulated that the highest ranked team in the final BCS Poll would receive the Big East's BCS bid.[115] The Mountaineers were the only Big East team ranked in the final BCS Poll (#23), earning the BCS bid and a berth in the Orange Bowl against ACC champion #14 Clemson.[116] West Virginia's first ever appearance in the Orange Bowl was a memorable one, as the Mountaineers trounced Clemson 70-33, setting a NCAA record for points scored in a bowl game.[117] Several Mountaineer players set individual offensive records on the season. Receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin became the first duo in WVU history to record over 1,000 yards receiving in the same season,[118] while Geno Smith shattered Marc Bulger's single-season passing records for completions (346), attempts (526) and yardage (4,385). Smith also tied Bulger's single-season record for touchdown passes with 31.[119] The Mountaineers finished the season ranked #17 in the AP Poll and #18 in the Coaches' Poll.
The past ten seasons have yielded the most prolific era of Mountaineer football to date. Since 2002, West Virginia has compiled a 95-33 record for a .742 winning percentage,[9] participating in ten bowl games, finishing ranked in at least one of the AP or Coaches' Polls on seven occasions, winning six Big East Conference titles, and producing three BCS bowl game victories during that span. West Virginia joins Boise State and Virginia Tech as one of only three FBS programs to have won at least nine games in each of the past seven seasons.[120]
The upcoming 2012 season will see West Virginia compete in the Big 12 Conference for the first time in its history. In the midst of continued college football conference realignment, WVU received an invitation to join the Big 12 as of July 1, 2012.[4] West Virginia subsequently expressed its intention to leave the Big East prior to the 27-month waiting period stipulated by the conference's by-laws. The resulting litigation between WVU and the Big East produced a $20 million dollar settlement, allowing the Mountaineers to depart from the Big East for the 2012 season.[5]
Notable games (2002-present)
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[edit] Conference affiliations
Aside from its affiliations with the following collegiate athletic conferences, West Virginia University has been a long-standing member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), a consortium of Eastern-based collegiate athletic institutions.
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- 1891–1924, 1928–1949, 1968–1990
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- 1925–1927
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- 1950–1967
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- 1991–2012
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- Effective July 1, 2012[4]
[edit] Facilities
[edit] Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Since 1891, the Mountaineers have played their home games in Morgantown, West Virginia along with "neutral-site" games at numerous locations throughout West Virginia, most notably in Charleston, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Parkersburg and Wheeling.[9] With the construction of Old Mountaineer Field in 1924, WVU finally had a permanent facility to call home. Located next to Woodburn Hall in what is now considered the "Downtown" portion of the WVU campus, the first incarnation of Mountaineer Field consisted of a horseshoe-type seating arrangement. The stadium eventually grew in capacity to its peak of 38,000 by 1979. The physical location of the stadium made it impossible for further expansion to take place, however, and led to the relocation of the football program to the "new" Mountaineer Field in 1980. The old stadium was razed in 1987. At the southwest corner where the stadium once stood, there is a horseshoe-shaped monument commemorating the stadium. From 1924–1979 the Mountaineers played 267 games at Old Mountaineer Field, compiling a 171–82–14 record.[130]
Since 1980, WVU football has called the second incarnation of Mountaineer Field home. Located on the "Evansdale" portion of the WVU campus, Mountaineer Field is currently the largest on-campus stadium in the Big East Conference. Originally constructed with a east-west configuration of the seating areas and a capacity of 50,000, subsequent seating additions at the north and south ends of the facility increased the capacity to over 63,000 by 1986 through the 2003 season. The onset of the 2004 season brought with it a $13 million dollar project to replace general admission seating in the north end zone with 20 suites and 648 club seats, thereby reducing the official capacity of the stadium to 60,000 where it currently stands.[131][132] Due to Mountaineer Field's capacity and the relatively smaller populations of West Virginia's largest cities, it has been suggested that Morgantown becomes the largest "city" in the state on game days due to the influx of spectators at the stadium.
Subsequent renovations to Mountaineer Field include the construction of new suites in the south end zone, as well as the installation of a new Panasonic video scoreboard in the south end zone and fascia LED video panels running the length of each sideline[131] As of November 29, 2003, the stadium has been named "Milan Puskar Stadium" in honor of Milan Puskar, the founder of Morgantown-based Mylan Pharmaceuticals, in recognition of his $20 million dollar donation to the University.[133] The Mountaineers have enjoyed relative success in their 31 years at Mountaineer Field, compiling a 147–52–4 home record.[130]
[edit] Milan Puskar Center
Also constructed in 1980 was the "Facilities Building" (now the Milan Puskar Center) to house the program's football offices. Originally located south of Mountaineer Field, in 1985 the facility was connected to the stadium when a 10,000-seat expansion enclosed the South end zone bowl.[134] The 39,000-square-foot facility houses the team's locker room and training facilities, including a 22,000-square-foot weight training facility on the first floor of the complex. The second floor of the Puskar Center houses the offensive and defensive wings for the coaching staffs, the team meeting room, player position rooms, the football staff conference room, and the Reynolds Family Academic Performance Center.[134] Also located on the second floor of the Puskar Center is the Donald J. Brohard Hall of Traditions. Made possible through a gift by WVU alumnus and Datatel, Inc. founder Ken Kendrick, the Hall of Traditions opened in 2006 to honor the history of the West Virginia Mountaineers football program. The Hall of Traditions houses interactive displays, videos, photos, records and information on the program, including featured displays of the 2005 Sugar Bowl and 2007 Fiesta Bowl seasons. [135] The Hall is open to the public on weekdays throughout the year. The Puskar Center is also home to the Robert and Erma Hartley Club Level, featuring upscale amenities for Mountaineer fans on game days.[134]
[edit] Capterton Indoor Facility
The Mountaineers utilize the Caperton Indoor Facility in preparation for game day. Constructed in 1998 and named in honor of former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton, the specialized facility features a 90-yard FieldTurf playing surface with more than 75,000 square feet of practice space.[83] Caperton also includes natural skylight illumination inside the complex as well as easy access to WVU's 170-yard grass practice field outside of the facility.[83] The Caperton complex is located just south of Mountaineer Field and the Milan Puskar Center, adorned by the "Flying WV" logo on its exterior.
[edit] Traditions
- See also: WVU Pageantry, WVU Sports Traditions, and WVU Band Traditions
- Pregame show - Performed by the Pride of West Virginia, the pregame show includes such traditions as the 220-beat per minute run-on introductory drum cadence, the formation of the "Flying WV" logo to the tune of "Fight Mountaineers," and the forming of the state of West Virginia whilst playing the university fight song "Hail, West Virginia." The band also performs the University's theme song, John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," a staple of the pregame show since 1972.[136]The fans participate in several cheers during the pregame show, notably chanting "W-V-U" to the roll of the band's drum line prior to the playing of "Fight Mountaineers," as well as "Let's Go Mountaineers" in between playings of "Hail, West Virginia."
Members of the "Mountaineer Maniacs" student section perform the 1st Down cheer
- Stadium chants - WVU students encompassing the "Mountaineer Maniacs" section and fans alike participate in the "Let's Go...Mountaineers" chant, with the east end of the stadium shouting "Let's Go..." and the west end responding with "Mountaineers."[137] West Virginia fans also participate in the "1st Down" and "3rd Down" cheers. The "1st Down" cheer, created by WVU students, can be heard at both home and away games prior to the announcement of a Mountaineer first down. Mountaineer fans raise their hands and hold a cheer of "OH!" in unison until the first down call is made by the public address announcer. Following the call, the fans lift their arms up and down three times to a chant of "W-V-U," clap and then signal to the end zone chanting "first down!"[138][139] The "3rd Down" cheer is similar, with Mountaineer fans raising their arms and waving three fingers upon the announcement of "third down" by the public address. After home game victories, West Virginia fans link arm-in-arm and sing along to "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
- The Mountaineer - The Mountaineer mascot first appeared at WVU sporting events during the 1934-35 school year and has been a fixture ever since. The Mountaineer is selected each year by the Mountain Honorary – West Virginia University's senior honorary. The Mountaineer's costume is tailored to fit each winner, and male Mountaineers customarily grow beards during their tenure to go along with the coonskin cap and rifle, although the beard is not a requirement for the mascot position.[140] The mascot is modeled after the Mountaineer bronze statute located in front of the Mountainlair student union building on the WVU campus. During football games, the Mountaineer mascot will fire his musket upon the team's entrance prior to kickoff, at the conclusion of each quarter and following every score.
- Mountaineer Mantrip - The newest addition to the list of Mountaineer football traditions is the "Mountaineer Mantrip," instituted during the 2011 season by head coach Dana Holgorsen to recognize the significance of West Virginia's coal industry.[141] Named for the shuttle that transports coalminers into and out of an underground mine at the start and end of their shift, the Mountaineer players and coaching staff walk along the pathway dividing the Blue Lot and the Light Blue Lot outside of Mountaineer Field. They are accompanied by the Pride of West Virginia and cheerleaders. WVU students and fans line the path to create a tunnel-like effect for the passing team members, providing for an interactive and enthusiastic environment. When the team reaches the east end of Mountaineer Field, they stop to rub a 350-pound chunk of coal, donated by Alpha Natural Resources from the Upper Big Branch coal mine.[142]
[edit] Logos and uniforms
Beginning in 1970, the Mountaineers donned the program's first official logo - the WVU "state outline" - on their helmets through the 1979 season.[143] West Virginia used a white helmet with the state outline logo from 1970–72, a gold helmet with the same logo from 1973–78, and reverted back to the white helmet and state outline logo in 1979.
The "Flying WV" is the trademark logo for West Virginia Mountaineer football, adorning the team's helmet and uniform. It debuted in 1980 along with the current gold and blue color scheme as a part of a football uniform redesign by head coach Don Nehlen, and was adopted as the official logo of West Virginia University in 1983.[144] The logo itself was created by sports artist John Martin, brother of then-Athletic Director Dick Martin. The iconic emblem is amongst the most widely recognized logos in collegiate athletics.[144] The football program also utilizes a West Virginia "script" logo in conjunction with the Flying WV.
Since 1980, West Virginia's standard uniform has consisted of a dark blue jersey (home) or a white jersey (away) with gold pants and a dark blue helmet adorned by the gold "Flying WV" logo on both sides.[145] West Virginia has since implemented both blue and white pants into its uniform scheme. Previously, the Mountaineers incorporated a more metallic gold color during the 1960s and 70's.
Having worn a gold jersey sparingly over the course of its history (namely during the 1960s), West Virginia reintroduced its gold alternate jersey prior to the 2007 season. The uniforms were first worn against Mississippi State for the 2007 homecoming game, as well as for West Virginia's first official "Gold Rush" game against Louisville. The gold jersey continues to be utilized as part of both an alternative home and away uniform.
The Mountaineers also wore a Nike Pro Combat System of Dress uniform specifically designed to pay tribute to West Virginia's coal mining industry for the 2010 edition of the Backyard Brawl. The uniform consisted of a shade of white accented by a layer of coal dust, along with accents of university gold that referenced the canaries once used to test toxicity levels in coalmines. The helmet had a yellow line designed to embody the beam of light emitted by a miner's headlamp.[146] West Virginia also donned the Pro Combat "coal miner" uniforms later that season for its Champs Sports Bowl match up with North Carolina State.
[edit] Rivalries
[edit] Traditional
In terms of competitiveness, intensity and longevity, the Backyard Brawl with the Pitt Panthers is West Virginia's fiercest and most storied rivalry. Separated by only 70 miles, the two universities have competed on a mostly annual basis since 1895 (beginning in 1920 and resuming again in 1943 after World War II), generating some of the most exciting and memorable games in college football history.[68] Although Pitt holds a 61-40-3 advantage in the series, more than half of its victories in the Backyard Brawl came prior to 1952 when the Panthers dominated the series by a 34-9-1 margin. The Mountaineers hold a 26-22-2 edge over the Panthers since 1962 when the series began to interchange annually between Morgantown and Pittsburgh. West Virginia has also won seven of the last ten meetings. The future of the rivalry is in question, however, with both schools set to leave the Big East Conference.[147]
West Virginia also enjoys a long-standing rivalry with the Syracuse Orange. The schools have competed annually since 1955, with the 1993 addition of the Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder Trophy being awarded to the victor. The significance of the trophy resides in the fact that Ben Schwartzwalder was a West Virginia native, former WVU player, and legendary head coach at Syracuse. While Syracuse holds a 32-27 lead in the series, WVU has won eight of the last ten games between the schools. Much like the status of the Backyard Brawl, Syracuse's departure from the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference and WVU's joining of the Big 12 Conference casts doubt over the future of the series.[148]
The Mountaineers and the Maryland Terrapins have met on a semi-annual basis since 1919, recently rekindling a cross-border rivalry that was once the longest continuous non-conference series for these geographical neighbors.[149] The Mountaineers hold a 25-21-2 lead in the overall series, having won the last six consecutive meetings. The current series between West Virginia and Maryland is scheduled to run on a yearly basis through 2017.[150]
[edit] Recent
In recent seasons, the Mountaineers have developed two additional rivalries with the Louisville Cardinals and the Marshall Thundering Herd. Although West Virginia and Louisville met on previous occasions during the mid-1980s and early 1990s, the series gathered its strongest momentum when the Cardinals joined the Big East in 2005. The competitive games between the programs since Louisville's inclusion into the Big East, as well as the geographic proximity between Kentucky and West Virginia, helped create a contentious rivalry between the programs. Further enhancing the rivalry was the political wrangling witnessed during the 2010–11 NCAA conference realignment period, as Louisville sought to outmaneuver WVU for inclusion into the Big 12.[151] The Mountaineers hold a 10-3 lead in the series overall, having won five of seven meetings since Louisville began Big East Conference play in 2005.
Conversely, the Friends of Coal Bowl between West Virginia and Marshall has not been as competitive. Rather, the series traces its origin back to West Virginia governmental intervention by former state Governor Joe Manchin coupled with supposed political pressure.[152] While it is debatable as to whether the series constitutes a true "rivalry" (Marshall has never beaten the Mountaineers in eleven meetings),[152] there is considerable doubt as to the future continuation of the Friends of Coal Bowl with the final game of the current series scheduled for 2012.[153]
[edit] Inactive
The Mountaineers once enjoyed a fierce rivalry with their Appalachia counterparts, the Virginia Tech Hokies. The schools once competed on a annual basis from 1973 to 2005, doing so as Big East Conference rivals starting in 1991. Beginning in 1997, West Virginia and Virginia Tech competed for the Black Diamond Trophy, symbolizing the Appalachian region’s rich coal heritage.[154] While West Virginia held a 28-22-1 advantage in the series, Virginia Tech won six of the last nine meetings between the schools. Since the Hokies departed the Big East for the ACC in 2004 and ended the series in 2006, however, the rivalry has been dormant.
Much less competitive, but no less meaningful, was the one-sided series between West Virginia and Penn State. The schools once met annually from 1947 to 1992 with the Nittany Lions holding a stranglehold in the series, winning 48 out of 59 games. At one point, from 1959 to 1983, Penn State had won 25 consecutive meetings between the two.[73] Mountaineer victories in the series were so much of a rarity that any defeat of the Nittany Lions was cause for celebration amongst the West Virginia faithful.[73][74] The series ended in 1992 with Penn State's beginning of Big Ten Conference play in 1993.
[edit] Coaches
[edit] Current coaching staff
Head coach Dana Holgorsen and the offensive coaching staff enter their 2nd season at WVU, while the defensive staff (with the exception of Steve Dunlap) is entirely revamped for the upcoming 2012 season.[155]
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[edit] Head coaches
The West Virginia Mountaineers have had 33 head coaches throughout the program's history. With 149 victories, Don Nehlen is the winningest coach in Mountaineer history, followed by Rich Rodriguez (60 wins) and Art Lewis (58).[32]
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[edit] Team accomplishments
[edit] Championships
West Virginia has won or shared a conference championship on 15 occasions, including eight Southern Conference (SoCon) titles and seven Big East Conference titles.[156] As members of the SoCon and the Big East, the Mountaineers have amassed a record of 154–64–3 (.703 winning percentage) in conference play. Since joining the Big East in 1991, West Virginia has amassed a 93–51–1 (.644) record against conference opponents, tops amongst the remaining original conference members (Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse). The Mountaineers have also been the most successful program in the Big East since the inclusion of Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, and South Florida into the reconfigured Big East.[157]
The ECAC Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy is an annual award given to the best team in the Eastern Region of FBS-level college football. West Virginia has been a recipient of the award as Eastern Champion on four occasions.
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| * - Bill Stewart served as interim head coach for the Fiesta Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[edit] Bowl games
West Virginia has participated in 31 bowl games throughout its history, compiling a 14–17 record. The Mountaineers endured a dubious string of post-season futility from 1987 to 2004, losing 11 of 12 bowl games including eight consecutive losses between 1987 and 1998. WVU has experienced recent post-season success, however, winning five of its last seven bowl games. Of those 31 bowl appearances, the Mountaineers have participated in thirteen "major" Division I-A/FBS bowl games, including three BCS Bowl Games, one Bowl Coalition Game and one National Championship Game. All four of West Virginia's major bowl victories have come in its last five major bowl appearances. With its victory in the 2012 Orange Bowl, West Virginia joined a select group of FBS programs (Ohio State, Southern California, Florida, LSU, Texas, Miami and Oklahoma) to have won at least three BCS bowl games since the inception of the Bowl Championship Series in 1998.[158]
| WVU Major Bowl Game Appearances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[edit] Rankings
West Virginia has finished ranked in at least one of the Associated Press (AP) or Coaches' polls on 19 occasions.[159] The Mountaineers have finished ranked amongst the top 10 in college football on five occasions. West Virginia attained its highest-ever ranking in the polls during week 14 of the 2007 season, when they were ranked #1 in the Coaches' Poll and #2 in the AP Poll.[160] Since the implementation of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998, West Virginia has finished the regular season ranked seven times in the final BCS standings. The Bowl Coalition, a predecessor to the current BCS system, ranked WVU at #3 in its final standings at the conclusion of the 1993 regular season. While the Mountaineers are 40-92-2 against opponents ranked in the AP Poll, they have an all-time record of 140-62-1 when ranked in the AP Poll themselves.[61]
| WVU Rankings in the AP, Coaches' and BCS Polls | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[edit] Individual accolades
[edit] Retired numbers
- Ira Errett Rodgers - #21
- Sam Huff - #75
[edit] Heisman Trophy candidates
West Virginia has produced five Heisman Trophy candidates, with Major Harris and Pat White each being candidates in consecutive seasons.
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[edit] Major award winners and finalists
Several Mountaineer players and coaches alike have either won or have been finalists for numerous major college football awards. Names highlighted in Gold denote award winners.
[edit] Players
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[edit] Coaches
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[edit] All-Americans
A total of 36 Mountaineers have been selected as First-Team All-Americans by various media selectors.[61] Among those selections, eleven have achieved Consensus All-American status. Additionally, 32 Mountaineers have been selected as Second-Team All-Americans while another 32 have been recognized as Third-Team selections.[61]
| WVU First-Team All-Americans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| - denotes Consensus All-Americans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[edit] Academic awards
A total of eleven Mountaineers have been selected as First-Team Academic All-Americans. In addition, six Mountaineers have been selected as National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes.[61]
- CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-Americans
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- National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes
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- Oliver Luck - QB (1981)
- Jeff Hostetler - QB (1983)
- Eric de Groh - C (1998)
- Jeff Berk - OT (2004)
- Jay Henry - LB (2006)
- Reed Williams - LB (2009)
[edit] Conference award winners
During WVU's 18-season tenure in the Southern Conference, a total of seven Mountaineers were recognized with superlative conference honors. Art Lewis received Coach of the Year distinction on consecutive occasions (1953 & 1954) while Bruce Bosley was named the SoCon Player of the Year and Jacobs Blocking Award winner in 1955.[161] During WVU's 21 seasons in the Big East, a total of 12 Mountaineers have been recognized with superlative conference honors. Don Nehlen (1993) and Rich Rodriguez (2003) were unanimous selections for Big East Coach of the Year, while Todd Sauerbrun was the unanimous selection for Big East Special Teams Player of the Year in 1994 and Amos Zereoué was the unanimous selection for Big East Rookie of the Year in 1996.[113]
| WVU Conference Award Winners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| # - denotes unanimous selection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[edit] All-Conference selections
[edit] Southern Conference
From 1950 to 1967, West Virginia competed in the Southern Conference. During their 18 seasons in the SoCon, a total of 35 Mountaineers were recognized as First-Team All-Southern Conference selections.[161]
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[edit] Big East
Since joining the Big East Conference in 1991, a total of 61 Mountaineers have been recognized as First-Team All-Big East selections. Among those players, Tavon Austin (as a Return Specialist), Noel Devine, Pat White (2007), Eric Wicks (2006), Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (as a Cornerback), Grant Wiley (2003), Barrett Green, Canute Curtis, Aaron Beasley (1995), Todd Sauerbrun (1994) and Adrian Murrell (1992) were unanimous selections by the conference.[113]
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[edit] Hall of Fame inductees
[edit] College Football Hall of Fame
A total of nine West Virginia Mountaineers have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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[edit] Pro Football Hall of Fame
Two Mountaineers hold the distinguished title of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. Offensive tackle Joe Stydahar was inducted in 1967. Despite Stydahar's impressive collegiate career, Chicago Bears owner/coach George Halas took a chance in selecting the little-known tackle with the Bears' first ever draft selection in the 1936 NFL Draft.[162] Halas's gamble paid off as "Jumbo Joe" produced an illustrious playing career with the Bears, earning four NFL All-Star selections, six All-Pro selections, three NFL championships, and an induction into the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1930s. Stydahar also served as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Cardinals, winning the 1951 NFL Championship with the Rams. During his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech, Stydahar thanked his family and friends from his "dear state, West Virginia."[163]
Joining Stydahar in Canton is linebacker Sam Huff, inducted in 1982. Originally a third round selection by the New York Giants in the 1956 NFL Draft, Huff played for the Giants from 1956–1963 and later for the Washington Redskins from 1964-1969. Huff's football career, let alone his future in the NFL, almost never came to pass, however. As a junior in high school, WVU head coach Art Lewis came to Huff's town to look at another prospect. Luckily for Huff (and for the Mountaineers), Lewis wound up recruiting Sam instead.[164] Fate intervened once more for Huff at the end of his collegiate career, as Giants scout Al DeRogatis came to Morgantown to look at All-American guard Bruce Bosley. DeRogatis instead discovered Huff, proclaiming that "there's another guard here who will be even greater. His name is Sam Huff."[164] Huff became a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, an inductee in the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, and was named as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all-time. Huff was also recognized as the NFL's Top Linebacker in 1959.[164]
[edit] WVU Sports Hall of Fame
Since its institution in 1991, the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame recognizes those participants that have helped elevate Mountaineer athletics into one of the most respected programs in the nation. Former athletes, coaches and administrators are eligible for selection 10 years following their association with WVU athletics.[165] The following individuals have been inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame for their contributions to the Mountaineer football program:
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[edit] Mountaineers in professional football
The following lists account for past and present West Virginia University football players that have participated in either the National Football League or the Canadian Football League.
[edit] Active
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[edit] All-Stars
Among the numerous Mountaineers that have participated in the NFL and the CFL, only a select few have received all-star recognition by their respective leagues.
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[edit] NFL first round draft selections
West Virginia has produced a total of 177 NFL draft selections. Of those selections, eight Mountaineers have been selected the first round of the draft.
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[edit] Records
All statistical records are courtesy of WVUStats.com unless otherwise cited. Statistics highlighted in Gold denote NCAA records.
[edit] School records
- Consecutive Victories
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- 14 (2005–06)[170]
- Consecutive Bowl Game Appearances
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- 10 (2002-11)
- Consecutive Seasons Ranked in the Final AP or Coaches' Poll
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- 5 (2005-09)
- Margin of Victory
- Points Scored
[edit] Individual records
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[edit] Passing
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[edit] Rushing
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[edit] Receiving
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[edit] Defensive
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[edit] Kicking
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[edit] Punting
- Punts
- Total Punting Yardage[61]
-
- Career: Steve Superick - 10,934
- Season: Todd Sauerbrun - 3,594 (1994)
- Game: Todd Sauerbrun - 541 vs. Nebraska (1994)
- Longest Punt: Todd Sauerbrun - 90 vs. Nebraska (1994)
- Average Punting Yardage[61]
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- Career: Todd Sauerbrun - 46.22
- Season: Todd Sauerbrun - 48.57 (1994)
- Game: Todd Sauerbrun - 60.1 vs. Nebraska (1994)
[edit] Kick Returns
- Kick Return Yards[61]
-
- Career: Shawn Terry - 1,747
- Season: Adam Jones - 867 (2003)
- Game: Nate Terry - 163 vs. Georgia Tech (1997)
- Kick Return Yard Average[61]
-
- Career: Shawn Terry - 27.7
- Season: Shawn Terry - 28.8 (2000)
- Kick Returns for Touchdowns[61]
-
- Career: Shawn Terry - 4
- Season: Shawn Terry - 3 (2000)
[edit] Punt Returns
- Punt Return Yards
-
- Career: Willie Drewrey - 1,191
- Season: Vaughn Rivers - 479 (2007)
- Punt Return Yard Average
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- Career: John Mallory - 14.99
- Season: Lance Frazier - 20.79 (2003)
- Punt Returns for Touchdowns[61]
-
- Career: John Mallory - 7
- Season: John Mallory - 3 (1967)
[edit] References
- ^ "Milan Puskar Stadium". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?section=7920. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "Branding and Communication at WVU" (PDF). West Virginia University. 2009. p. 10. http://creativeservices.wvu.edu/r/download/10258.
- ^ "School Colors". West Virginia University Alumni Association. http://alumni.wvu.edu/traditions/school_colors. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c "West Virginia University To Join Big 12 Conference". Big12Sports.com (Big 12 Conference). October 28, 2011. http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=205323383. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b "WVU - Big East Settlement Agreement". Charleston Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.com/mediafiles/document/2012/02/15/WVU-001-to-WVU-025_I120215095828.pdf. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ "2011 Football Bowl Subdivision Records - All-Time Team Won-Loss Records". National Collegiate Athletic Association. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/FBS.pdf. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
- ^ Beck, Jeff. "Fun Facts: West Virginia vs. UNC (Meineke Car Care Bowl)". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3789377. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "West Virginia Historical Data". College Football Data Warehouse. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigeast/west_virginia/index.php. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p DeVault, Mark. "WVU Season-by-Season". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/seasons.php?team_id=308. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1891 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1891. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c Bring on the Mountaineers - 100 Years of West Virginia Football (Videotape). West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60OJ07EI4_A. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1094 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1904. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1919 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1919. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i DeVault, Mark. "WVU Milestone Games". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/milestone.php?team_id=308. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "West Virginia - 50+ Points Scored In A Game". College Football Data Warehouse. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigeast/west_virginia/most_points.php. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1922 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1922. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "Clarence "Doc" Spears". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/coach.php?team_id=308&person_id=18. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Glenn Named Grid Coach". The Pittsburgh Press. July 2, 1937. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dk0bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HEwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5104,5725945. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1937 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1937. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1937 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1937. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1948 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1948. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ a b c Bring on the Mountaineers - 100 Years of West Virginia Football (Videotape). West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60OJ07EI4_A. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1952 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1952. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1953 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1953. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1954 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1954. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1955 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1955. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1955 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1955. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1956 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1956. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ "1957 Southern Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/southern/1957.html. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1958 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1958. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1959 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1959. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d DeVault, Mark. "WVU All-Time Coaches". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/coaches.php?team_id=308. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1960 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1960. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ "1962 Southern Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/southern/1962.html. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1964 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1964. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Loh, Stefanie (January 5, 2010). "Coach who integrated WVU football team dies". The Register-Herald (Beckley, WV). http://www.register-herald.com/sports/x546334903/Coach-who-integrated-WVU-football-team-dies?keyword=secondarystory. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
- ^ "1967 Southern Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/southern/1967.html. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1969 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?season=1969&team_id=308. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU Season Fullback Rushing Yards". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/recs_player.php?team_id=308&code=psfry. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU Season Rushing Yards". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/recs_player.php?team_id=308&code=psry. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "West Virginia at Pitt: Scoring Summary (1970-10-17)". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/game_scoring.php?team_id=308&game_id=751. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Bring on the Mountaineers - 100 Years of West Virginia Football (Videotape). West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rROjHdvsaw. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1970 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1970. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1972 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1972. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU Season Rushing Touchdowns". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/recs_player.php?team_id=308&code=psrtd. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1972 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?season=1972&team_id=308. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Antonik, John. "Lightning Strike". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?section=4969. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1975 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1975. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1976 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1976. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1977 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1977. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1978 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1978. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Antonik, John (November 8, 2005). "November 8 Notebook". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=8518. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1979 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1979. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c Bring on the Mountaineers - 100 Years of West Virginia Football (Videotape). West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpqP09UNZqM. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1981 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1981. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1982 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1982. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "Darryl Talley". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/player.php?team_id=308&person_id=1527. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1983 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1983. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1983 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1983. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1984 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1984. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Fragale, Michael; Montoro, Mike; Swan, Joe, eds. (2011). 2011 WVU Football Guide. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://issuu.com/wvusportspub/docs/2011-wvu-fb-issuu?mode=window&pageNumber=1. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1987 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1987. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1987 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1987. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia: Scoring Summary (1987-12-25)". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/game_scoring.php?team_id=308&game_id=951. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1988 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1988. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Diegnan, Mike (December 13, 2002). "Bowl Championship Series - 1989 - Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 21". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/abcsports/bcs/fiesta/s/1989.html. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1988 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1988. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ a b Antonik, John & Scuillo, Sam (December 1, 2007). "Tales from the Backyard Brawl". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1989 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Antonik, John (July 21, 2010). "30 Most Unforgettable Games - No. 10: Cincinnati, 1980". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics). http://www.msnsportsnet.com/30Games.cfm?story=16781. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
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