West Virginia Mountaineers Football

  • The West Virginia University Mountaineers play college football in the Big East Conference. The Mountaineers have won two BCS bowls in the last four seasons (2006 Sugar Bowl and 2008 Fiesta Bowl). In 1988 and 1993 the Mountaineers had the opportunity for National Championships after undefeated seasons, but lost the 1989 Fiesta Bowl to Notre Dame and the 1994 Sugar Bowl to Florida.
  • Mountaineers History

    After beginning play as an independent team in 1891, the Mountaineers joined the College Division in 1937. They played five years, from 1973 to 1978, in Division I, before switching to Division I-A in 1978.
  • Recent Mountaineer Seasons

    Under coach Rich Rodriguez, the Mountaineers were Big East Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, the Mountaineers reached the Sugar Bowl, where they defeated the heavily favored Georgia Bulldogs. Following a 10-2 record during the 2006 season, the Mountaineers played in the Gator Bowl, where they defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.


    In 2007, the Mountaineers entered bowl season ranked ninth and were placed in the Fiesta Bowl against the fourth ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Although many predicted Oklahoma would prevail, the Mountaineers dominated the game, winning 48-28. The 2008 squad ended their season with a 31-30 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels. Senior quarterback Pat White threw for a career high 332 yards in his final game as a Mountaineer. The 2009 Mountaineers went 9-4 including a loss to the Florida State Seminoles in Seminole coach Bobby Bowden's last game.http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=13639&cat=exclusives

  • 2010 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Outlook

    The Mountaineers come into the 2010 season anchored by dynamic senior offensive players, running back Noel Devine and wide receiver Jock Sanders. The pair considered entering the NFL Draft, but chose to return to the Mountaineers, feeling their work at WVU to be unfinished. Devine's outstanding speed and agility make him one of the best runners in college football. In 2009 he was a unanimous first-team all-Big East player and the Mountaineers' Co-Offensive MVP. Devine is currently number 5 on West Virginia's career rushing chart and averages 6.5 yards per carry. Joining Devine in the backfield is fullback Ryan Clarke, who provided a bruising short yardage threat to complement Devine's speed and agility.http://issuu.com/wvusportspub/docs/2010_prospectus


    Sanders had one of the best seasons as a receiver in Mountaineer history with 72 receptions for 688 yards, averaging 9.6 yards per catch and three touchdowns. He also handled punt return duties, averaging 8.6 yards per return. Brad Starks complements Sanders in the receiving corps, averaging 14 yards per catch in 2009. The duo gives West Virginia one of the best receiving tandems in the Big East. Throwing to the Mountaineers receivers will be sophomore quarterback Geno Smith. Smith suffered a broken foot in the off-season and was limited in spring practice, but is expected to be at full strength going into fall camp.http://issuu.com/wvusportspub/docs/2010_prospectus


    The Mountaineer defense will be anchored on the line by senior nose tackle Chris Neild. Junior defensive lineman Julian Miller had a breakout season in 2009 and is expected to continue his success at getting to the ball. He was one of the top sack artists in the conference in 2009. J.T. Thomas and Pat Lazear, both seniors, lead the linebacker unit, which should be solid for the Mountaineers. In the defensive backfield, Robert Sands, Brandon Hogan, Sidney Glover and Keith Tandy are all experienced and could be a strength of the defense.http://issuu.com/wvusportspub/docs/2010_prospectus