Compiled by the WVU Sports Communications Office
October 23, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Game notes following West Virginia’s 34-17 victory over Auburn Thursdayy night at Milan Puskar Stadium:
Tonight’s game captains were Pat White, Pat McAfee, Mortty Ivy and Ryan Stanchek. Coach Bill Stewart will select game captains each week. Team captains will be elected at the end of the regular season.
There were no first-time starters against Auburn for West Virginia. The Mountaineers have 37 players with at least one game of starting experience. Tops on that list are Ryan Stanchek (41), Pat White (36), Greg Isdaner (32) and Jake Figner (32). All of Stanchek and Isdaner’s starts are consecutive.
Pat White’s two interceptions in the first quarter marked just his four career game where he threw multiple picks. His last multi-interception game came against USF in 2006.
Noel Devine’s 36-yard rush in the second quarter tied for the fifth-longest rush of his career. Devine added a 35-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
Pat McAfee’s 23-yard field goal in the second quarter marked the 49th of his career. He added his 50th career field goal in the third quarter on a 42-yard kick. With those two field goals, McAfee is now third in career BIG EAST field goals made, passing Jay Taylor (WVU, 1996-99) and Nate Trout (Syracuse, 1996-99). Jeremy Ito (Rutgers, 2004-07) is the BIG EAST’s career field goals made leader with 80.
Pat White’s 44-yard touchdown pass to Alric Arnett was WVU’s longest pass play of the season. The touchdown marked White’s 10th passing score of the season and the third of the season for Arnett. White added his 11th touchdown pass of the season in the third quarter and 12th in the fourth quarter.
With Pat McAfee’s extra point on WVU’s first touchdown, he became the all-time leader in BIG EAST career extra points made. Entering the game, he was tied with Carter Warley of Virginia Tech (2000-03) with 190.
With three touchdown passes, Pat White moved into second place on the WVU career touchdown passes list. White passed Rasheed Marshall (2001-04), who had 45 career touchdown passes during his career. Marc Bulger (1996-99) is WVU’s all-time leader with 59.
Noel Devine went over 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this year and seventh time during his career. Devine has rushed for 100 yards or more four times in his last five games. The 207 yards were a career high. It also marked the 21st time a Mountaineer back has surpassed the 200-yard mark and first time since Pat White (220) and Steve Slaton 215) did it against Pitt in 2006. Devine has rushed for 395 yards the past two games.
Dorrell Jalloh’s two-yard touchdown reception was his second touchdown reception of the season and fourth of his career. Jalloh added a 42-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, marking his third of the season and fifth of his career. It was Jalloh’s first multiple touchdown game of his career.
Pat White has now thrown two touchdown passes in 16 career games, including 13 of his last 22 games. And three touchdown passes in a game twice in his career. The first was Villanova, when he threw for five in that game. West Virginia is 14-2 when White throws for two or more scores in a game.
With three touchdown passes, Pat White moved into a tie for second place in career BIG EAST touchdowns responsible for, tying Ken Dorsey of Miami. White and Dorsey are tied with 88 touchdowns responsible for. Donovan McNabb of Syracuse is the all-time leader with 96 from 1995-98.
Auburn drops to 69-9 under Tommy Tuberville when leading at the half.
GAME QUOTES
Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville
I’m obviously disappointed. We played with a lot of emotion the first half, we just didn’t have an answer the second half.
They are a good football team. They are the best team we’ve played.
We made some mistakes. We didn’t convert on some situations that would have given us a chance. It looked like we ran out of gas towards the end of the first quarter. The effort was good though. We just didn’t win the game.
We couldn’t tackle their quarterback or their running back.
They had us on our heels with their running game. Once they had us on our heels, we had to blitz. We didn’t cover everybody. We had to change something around. We couldn’t stop the run with the four-man front. We couldn’t tackle. Then we started blitzing and turned some receivers open.
They did the same thing (on defense, after first two drives.) We just didn’t execute;.
West Virginia Head Coach Bill Stewart
I’m very proud of the coaching staff. They were very impressive tonight. Our offensive staff did a great job.
Our defense did a great job. They played to win. They played aggressive. When I tell you something I mean it. They had a great return man and you saw it.
I’m absolutely thrilled to death with our passing game.
The motion was designed to lose them and to get them out of the box. Are we great at it? No, but we’re getting better motion movement crossing routes.
I coached Pat White and he has forever changed my life. He taught me how to coach instead of scream. He does not like to make mistakes. He’s the greatest winner in football today. He’s a perfectionist. He plays tough and plays physical.
I saw confidence oozing out of everyone tonight. The boys were under pressure. Our guys strained and they wore the Old Gold and Blue proudly. I’m very proud of this football team.
