Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

[superjames1992]

Devine Intervention!!!
Noel Devine's two kickoff returns for touchdowns spark huge win

Blacksburg, VA (AP) - Is this team a National Title contender? West Virginia (1-0, 0-0 Big East) made another huge statement today by knocking off #9 Virginia Tech (1-0, 0-0 ACC) and now has two wins over t0p 10 teams in their first two games.

The Mountaineers were inspired by great special teams play with two kickoff returns for touchdowns by Noel Devine and a 67 punt return by Jock Sanders which set up another score.

Virgiinia Tech held the early momentum with a 10-7 lead, but that's when Noel Devine changed the game with a 98 yard kickoff return to go ahead 14-10. From there on out, it was all Mountaineers as they cruised to a surprisingly brutal 38-10 win in Blacksburg.

The Mountaineers don't dominate the stat sheet, but that's because the special teams was the obvious game changer in this one. The special teams unit scored two of West Virginia's five touchdown and set up another easy one, meaning the special teams unit was directly responsible for three of the Mountaineers' five touchdowns.

Head coach Bill Stewart, who also serves as the team's special teams coordinator, was quite pleased. "I've been trying to stress the importance of special teams every since I was head coach," he said. "We've got progressively better and today we finally broke through with an amazing performance."

John Davis was officially declared the starter, as well, as he threw for 128 yards and completed 11 of 15 passes in the game.

The Mountaineers will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd next week in a game the Mountaineers should surely win before traveling to Ann Arbor to take on Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines the week after.

However, the Mountaineers will have to do all that without starting senior cornerback Brandon Hogan, who suffered a bruised shoulder in the Virginia Tech game and will miss the next three weeks.

WEST VIRGINIA - 38
#9 VIRGINIA TECH - 10

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB John Davis - 11/15, 128 Yds
QB Coley White - 3/5, 22 Yds, Int
HB Noel Devine - 19 Car, 81 Yds, 3 TD, 2 KR TD
HB Terence Kerns - 9 Car, 93 Yds
WR Bradley Starks - 4 Rec, 46 Yds
WR Jock Sanders - 3 Rec, 40 Yds
SS Sidney Glover - 12 Tkl, TFL
LB J.T. Thomas - 6 Tkl, TFL

WEEK TWO BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

West Virginia - 38
#9 Virginia Tech - 10

Louisville - 40
Vanderbilt - 21

FCS East - 3
Syracuse - 41

FCS Midwest - 0
South Florida - 37

FCS Wet - 14
Rutgers - 63

Cincinnati - 48
Akron - 28

FCS Southeast - 7
Connecticut - 40

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (39) (1-0)
2. Alabama (21) (1-0)
3. Florida (1) (2-0)
4. Penn State (1-0)
5. Georgia Tech (1-0)
6. Ohio State (1-0)
7. Oklahoma State (1-0)
8. Missouri (2-0)
9. Clemson (2-0)
10. Pittsburgh (0-0)
24. South Florida (1-0)

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. Connecticut 2-0 (0-0)
2. Syracuse 2-0 (0-0)
3. West Virginia 2-0 (0-0)
4. #24 South Florida 1-0 (0-0
5. Cincinnati 1-0 (0-0)
6. Rutgers 1-0 (0-0)
7. #10 Pittsburgh 0-0 (0-0)
8. Louisville 1-1 (0-0)

WEEK THREE BIG EAST SCHEDULE
Marshall (0-1) @ West Virginia (2-0)
Syracuse (2-0) @ #4 Penn State (1-0)
Eastern Michigan (0-1) @ Connecticut (2-0)
#24 South Florida (1-0) @ Kansas State (0-1)
Southern Mississippi (1-0) @ Louisivlle (1-1)
Bowling Green (0-2) @ #10 Pittsburgh (0-0)
North Carolina (0-1) @ Rutgers (1-0)
Miami University (1-0) @ Cincinnati (1-0)

[Marino]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)



That is all.

[superjames1992]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

That is all.

Haha. Those were a nice couple of games!

You know what, guys. I'm thinking of also firing up a Marshall Thundering Herd dynasty and running it concurrently with this one to give me a team to build up, so I don't get tired of winning with WVU. I have the time to do two dynasties (It's Christmas Break for me currently, not that I wouldn't have the time otherwise) and it should help to keep me from getting bored from playing with the same team. I'll give it some thought.

For now, on with the update for the Marshall game!

[superjames1992]

Marshall? No Problem!!!
Mountaineers roll to perfect 3-0 record

Morgantown, WV (AP) - No one expected West Virginia (2-0, 0-0 Big East) to lose this one against the Marshall Thundering Herd (0-1, 0-0 C-USA) and it didn't happen as West Virginia jumped out to a 35-0 lead early in the third quarter to cruise to a 45-14 win.

The Mountaineers made huge plays on both offense, defense, and special teams in this one. John Davis tallied his first career 200 yard passing performance with 201 yards while Noel Devine ran for 116 yards and three scores on 21 carries.

Senior wideout Jock Sanders also put on quite a show as he caught six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.

"We really put on a beatdown today and played a tremendous game," commented West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart about his team's performance.

MARSHALL - 14
WEST VIRGINIA - 45

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB John Davis - 16/24, 201 Yds, TD, Int
HB Noel Devine - 21 Car, 116 Yds, 3 TD
HB Terence Kerns - 9 Car, 38 Yds, TD
WR Jock Sanders - 6 Rec, 116 Yds, TD
SS Franchot Allen - 12 Tkl, 3 TFL, Sck, Int
SS Sidney Glover - 6 Tkl, TFL

WEEK THREE BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

Marshall - 14
West Virginia - 45

Syracuse - 20
#4 Penn State - 56

Eastern Michigan - 24
Connecticut - 39

#24 South Florida - 38
Kansas State - 18

Southern Mississippi - 25
Louisville - 28

Bowling Green - 10
#10 Pittsburgh - 70

North Carolina - 10
Rutgers - 31

Miami University - 24
Cincinnati = 35

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (40) (2-0)
2. Florida (21) (3-0)
3. Georgia Tech (2-0)
4. Penn State (2-0)
5. Oklahoma State (1-0)
6. Missouri (3-0)
7. Clemson (3-0)
8. Pittsburgh (1-0)
9. Texas Tech (3-0)
10. Utah (2-0)
24. South Florida (2-0)

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. Connecticut 3-0 (0-0)
2. West Virginia 3-0 (0-0)
3. #24 South Florida 2-0 (0-0)
4. Cincinnati 2-0 (0-0)
5. Rutgers 2-0 (0-0)
6. #8 Pittsburgh 1-0 (0-0)
7. Louisville 2-1 (0-0)
8. Syracuse 2-1 (0-0)

WEEK FOUR BIG EAST SCHEDULE
West Virginia (3-0) @ Michigan (1-1)
Cincinnati (2-0) @ Kentucky (2-1)
Washington State (1-0) @ #8 Pittsburgh (1-0)
Louisville (2-1) @ #11 Ohio State (1-1)
#24 South Florida (2-0) @ Florida International (0-2)
Rutgers (2-0) @ Navy (0-3)
Baylor (0-2) @ Connecticut (3-0)

[Marino]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

Haha. Those were a nice couple of games!

You know what, guys. I'm thinking of also firing up a Marshall Thundering Herd dynasty and running it concurrently with this one to give me a team to build up, so I don't get tired of winning with WVU. I have the time to do two dynasties (It's Christmas Break for me currently, not that I wouldn't have the time otherwise) and it should help to keep me from getting bored from playing with the same team. I'll give it some thought.

For now, on with the update for the Marshall game!

You won't win them all, NC State is on your schedule.

[dlane0087]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

3-0, nice way to start off the season especially with the low expectations. Now it's time to surprise the Big East.

[superjames1992]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

3-0, nice way to start off the season especially with the low expectations. Now it's time to surprise the Big East.

Indeed. We're looking really good early on!

[MillardMavs]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

great start

[superjames1992]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

great start

Thanks, as always.

[superjames1992]

Mountaineers Squeak by Wolverines
Mountaineers nearly throw game away, but win on a clutch field goal

Ann Arbor, MI (AP) - The game was shaping up to be a blowout late in the first half with West Virginia (3-0, 0-0 Big East) dominating on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense.

Then the tide turned and Michigan (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) scored 14 points in eight seconds, one off a two yard touchdown run and the other on an ill-advised pass by John Davis as time expired which was returned 43 yards for a score to give Michigan a shocking 14-13 lead.

Michigan would go on to build a 21-13 lead, but then West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart surprised everyone by putting in Ronnie Bullock at quarterback, the third-stringer.

Though Bullock was only two-for-three for 17 yards through the air on the day, he was careful with the ball and managed the game. He led the team to a touchdown and scored the two point conversion to tie the game at 21 early in the fourth quarter.

Then redshirt freshman kicker Montrell Godfrey drilled a 37 yard field goal at The Big House as time expired to give the Mountaineers a 27-24 win to move to 4-0 on the year.

"It was a great win and a great show of heart for our guys to come into The Big House and not get down after our collapse there at the middle of the game," said Bill Stewart. "We regrouped and rallied out there for a win and this is a big one in my books."

Stewart also said that John Davis will remain the team's starting quarterback for next week's Big East opener at home against the Syracuse Orange.

WEST VIRGINIA - 27
MICHIGAN - 24

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB John Davis - 12/18, 135 Yds, TD, 2 Int
HB Noel Devine - 22 Car, 122 Yds, TD
HB Terence Kerns - 10 Car, 35 Yds
WR Cole Kent - Rec, 66 Yds, TD
LB Najee Goode - 7 Tkl, 4 TFL. Scl
FS Robert Sands - 6 Tkl, TFL
DE Larry Ford - 6 Tkl
FS Franchot Allen - 5 Tkl, Int

WEEK FOUR BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

West Virginia - 27
Michigan - 24

Cincinnati - 31
Kentucky - 21

Washington State - 10
#8 Pittsburgh - 38

Louisville - 14
#11 Ohio State - 52

#24 South Florida - 55
Florida International - 14

Rutgers - 52
Navy - 3

Baylor - 7
Connecticut - 24

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (33) (3-0)
2. Florida (26) (4-0)
3. Georgia Tech (1) (3-0)
4. Penn State (1) (3-0)
5. Missouri (3-0)
6. Clemson (4-0)
7. Pittsburgh (2-0)
8. Utah (3-0)
9. Kansas (3-0)
10. Ohio State (2-1)
20. South Florida (3-0)
22. West Virginia (4-0) - Ranked #16 in AP Poll

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. #22 West Virginia 4-0 (0-0)
2. Connecticut 4-0 (0-0)
3. #20 South Florida 3-0 (0-0)
4. Cincinnati 3-0 (0-0)
5. Rutgers 3-0 (0-0)
6. #7 Pittsburgh 2-0 (0-0)
7. Syracuse 2-1 (0-0)
8. Louisville 2-2 (0-0)

WEEK FIVE BIG EAST SCHEDULE
Syracuse (2-1) @ #22 West Virginia (4-0)
Rutgers (3-0) @ #7 Pittsburgh (2-0)
#20 South Florida (3-0) @ Louisville (2-2)

[superjames1992]

Mountaineers Pull Away to Defeat Syracuse
20-0 second half run gives Mountaineers the all-important 'W'

Morgantown, WV (AP) - #22 West Virginia (4-0, 0-0 Big East) opened up Big East play today against the Syracuse Orangemen (2-1, 0-0 Big East). It was a hard fought game early on, but the 'Eers used their superior rushing attack in the second half to pull away for an easy win.

Syracuse held an early 14-7 lead and only trailed 17-14 at halftime, but then Noel Devine stepped up in a huge way. The senior ended the day with 25 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns as he had a huge day. Backup Terence Kerns added 73 yards on 16 carries as the Mountaineers ran the ball 51 times compared to just 15 passes.

"We didn't exactly execute a balanced attack today," explained West Virginia offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen. "However, we took advantage of their weak rush defense and it worked out pretty well, especially in the second half. Plus, we did not turn over the ball at all, which is an advantage of a rushing attack."

SYRACUSE - 14
#22 WEST VIRGINIA - 37

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB John Davis - 7/11, 41 Yds
QB Coley White - 2/4, 16 Yds, 2 Car, 19 Yds
HB Noel Devine - 25 Car, 180 Yds, 3 TD, 2 Rec, 15 Yds
HB Terence Kerns - 16 Car, 73 Yds
CB Brantwon Bowser - 9 Tkl, Int
LB Eddie Davis - 8 Tkl
LB J.T. Thomas - 6 Tkl, TFL
LB Najee Goode - 4 Tkl, TFL, Sck, Int

WEEK FIVE BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

Syracuse - 14
#22 West Virginia - 37

Rutgers - 14
#7 Pittsburgh - 41

#20 South Florida - 45
Louisville - 17

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (40) (4-0)
2. Florida (21) (5-0)
3. Georgia Tech (4-0)
4. Missouri (4-0)
5. Clemson (5-0)
6. Pittsburgh (3-0)
7. Ohio State (3-1)
8. Utah (4-0)
9. Nebraska (4-0)
10. Penn State (3-1)
19. South Florida (4-0)
21. West Virginia (5-0) - #16 in AP Poll

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. #21 West Virginia 5-0 (1-0)
2. #19 South Florida 4-0 (1-0)
3. #7 Pittsburgh 3-0 (1-0)
4. Connecticut 4-0 (0-0)
5. Cincinnati 3-0 (0-0)
6. Rutgers 3-1 (0-1)
7. Syracuse 2-2 (0-1)
8. Louisville 2-3 (0-1)

WEEK SIX BIG EAST SCHEDULE
Rutgers (3-1) @ #21 West Virginia (5-0)
Connecticut (4-0) @ Syracuse (2-2)
#6 Pittsburgh (3-0) @ Cincinnati (3-0)

[superjames1992]

SHUTOUT!!!
Mountaineers showcase dominance in 31-0 blanking of Rutgers

Morgantown, WV (AP) - Fresh off an embarrassing 41-14 loss at #6 Pittsburgh, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-1 Big East) suffered another horrifying loss to start off Big East Conference play at 0-2 as the Knights were shut out by #21 West Virginia (5-0, 1-0 Big East) 31-0, marking the first time WVU has shut out an opponent since a 38-0 win on November 19th, 2005 against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium.

The Mountaineers have also seemingly found their man at quarterback. West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart announced prior to the game that Coley White would be named the starter for the remainder of the season. White responded well, completing 19 of 25 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, his first of the season. He threw no picks. He also added 54 rushing yards.

Quarterback coach/offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen said, "We knew we had to pick a guy. Both guys had been struggling quite a bit, but we couldn't keep on switching quarterbacks if we hoped to win a Big East Championship. We liked Coley's potential and his mobility definitely played a factor in our picking of him to start for the remainder of the season."

There was no question about it. West Virginia was dominant and after the Mountaineers seized a 28-0 lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, Bill Stewart called back the horses and put the backups in on the offensive side of the ball. The Mountaineers would only manage a field goal thereafter, but retained the intensity on defense to improve to 6-0 and 2-0 in Big East Conference play, keeping them alive in the Big East and even the National Championship race.

RUTGERS - 0
#21 WEST VIRGINIA - 31

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB Coley White - 19/25, 130 Yds, TD, 8 Car, 54 Yds
HB Noel Devine - 10 Car, 110 Yds, 2 TD
HB Terence Kerns - 17 Car, 83 Yds, TD
WR Jock Sanders - 8 Rec, 53 Yds
LB Najee Goode - 6 Tkl, 3 TFL
LB Pat Lazear - 6 Tkl, 2 TFL
FS Franchot Allen - 6 Tkl, Int

WEEK SIX BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

Rutgers - 0
#21 West Virginia - 31

Connecticut - 38
Syracuse - 17

#6 Pittsburgh - 27
Cincinnati - 12

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (37) (5-0)
2. Florida (21) (6-0)
3. Georgia Tech (2) (5-0)
4. Missouri (1) (5-0)
5. Clemson (6-0)
6. Pittsburgh (4-0)
7. Nebraska (5-0)
8. Utah (5-0)
9. Ohio State (3-1)
10. Minnesota (5-0)
15. South Florida (4-0)
21. West Virginia (6-0) - #15 in AP Poll

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. #21 West Virginia 6-0 (2-0)
2. #6 Pittsburgh 4-0 (2-0)
3. #15 South Florida 4-0 (1-0)
4. Connecticut 5-0 (1-0)
5. Cincinnati 3-1 (0-1)
6. Rutgers 3-2 (0-2)
7. Syracuse 2-3 (0-2)
8. Louisville 2-3 (0-1)

WEEK SEVEN BIG EAST SCHEDULE
#21 West Virginia (6-0) @ Louisville (2-3)
#6 Pittsburgh (4-0) @ #15 South Florida (4-0)
Cincinnati (3-1) @ Connecticut (5-0)
Syracuse (2-3) @ Rutgers (3-2)

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

Look at you go! Keep it rolling downhill!

[superjames1992]

Re: Mountaineers Are Always Free!!! (NCAA 09)

Look at you go! Keep it rolling downhill!

Yep, I'm getting a feeling that the Pitt/WVU game on week 13, our final regular season game could decide the Big East Title!

[superjames1992]

Mountaineers Win, But Lose
Devine injured in 38-17 road win at Louisville

Louisville, KY (AP) - The mood was rather solemn following #21 West Virginia's (6-0, 2-0 Big East) 38-17 win at Louisville (2-3, 0-1 Big East) to move to 3-0 in Big East play.

Why?

Star halfback Noel Devine suffered a dislocated elbow early in the second half with the Mountaineers holding a 17-3 lead and will be out for nine weeks; in other words, he's out for the rest of the regular season, though he should be ready for whatever bowl the Mountaineers find themselves in.

"This is obviously a huge loss," explained West Virginia running backs coach Chris Beatty. "He was widely regarded as the fastest and best player on the team. We'll miss his speed; that's for sure, but we'll be fine."

In Devine's absense, redshirt-sophomore Terence Kerns, a bruising 233 pound force, will step into the starting role. Kerns would be a starter on most teams, but not many teams have halfbacks the caliber of Noel Devine. Kerns will be backed up by Mark Rodgers, a more speedy back who saw considerable action in 2008, when he carried the ball 41 times for 227 yards and five touchdowns. He didn't see any action last year as he was redshirted.

The Mountaineers forced four Louisville turnovers, three via the interception, in this one as the defense once against played a huge role in yet another win. The defense is allowing 10.3 points per game so far in Big East Conference play.

In his second game as a starter, Coley White passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns, completing 16 of his 19 pass attempts. However, he did toss two first half interceptions before getting it together for a great second half of tossing the football. He also ran for 47 yards and a touchdown.

He threw the ball to wide receiver Jock Sanders seven times as the senior wideout was responsible for a career-high 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the game. Sanders was making huge plays all over the field and made two key screen plays into big plays. All-in-all, he had 156 yards-after-catch.

"Sanders is a playmaker," offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen said. "We try to get the ball to him as much as possible."

The Mountaineers now move to 7-0 (3-0 Big East) and will face off in a huge matchup against the currently 15th-ranked South Florida Bulls next week in Morgantown. The Bulls face #6 Pittsburgh later today.

#21 WEST VIRGINIA - 38
LOUISVILLE - 17

WEST VIRGINIA LEADERS
QB Coley White - 16/19, 271 Yds, 2 TD, 2 Int, 11 Car, 47 Yds, TD
HB Noel Devine - 9 Car, 66 Yds, TD
HB Terence Kerns - 9 Car, 28 Yds, TD
WR Jock Sanders - 7 Rec, 181 Yds, 2 TD
TE Tyler Urban - 3 Rec, 37 Yds
SS Sidney Glover - 10 Tkl, 2 TFL
LB J.T. Thomas - 5 Tkl, 2 TFL
FS Franchot Allen - 5 Tkl, Int

WEEK SEVEN BIG EAST SCOREBOARD

#21 West Virginia - 38
Louisville - 17

#6 Pittsburgh - 56
#15 South Florida - 14 (OUCH!!!)

Cincinnati - 45
Connecticut - 35

Syracuse - 24
Rutgers - 20

TOP TEN POLL
1. USC (40) (6-0)
2. Florida (21) (7-0)
3. Georgia Tech (6-0)
4. Clemson (7-0)
5. Nebraska (6-0)
6. Pittsburgh (5-0)
7. Notre Dame (5-0)
8. Ohio State (4-1)
9. Penn State (5-1)
10. Missouri (5-1)
17. West Virginia (7-0) - #13 in AP Poll
21. South Florida (4-1)

BIG EAST STANDINGS
1. #17 West Virginia 7-0 (3-0)
2. #6 Pittsburgh 5-0 (3-0)
3. Cincinnati 4-1 (1-1)
4. Connecticut 4-1 (1-1)
5. #21 South Florida 4-1 (1-1)
6. Syracuse 3-3 (1-2)
7. Louisville 2-4 (0-2)
8. Rutgers 3-3 (0-3)

WEEK EIGHT BIG EAST SCHEDULE
#21 South Florida (4-1) @ #17 West Virginia (7-0)
Connecticut (5-1) @ Rutgers (3-3)
Cincinnati (4-1) @ Louisivlle (2-4)
#6 Pittsburgh (5-0) @ Syracuse (3-3)