Radio play-by-play announcer Tony Caridi provides periodic commentary on the Mountaineer football program for WVUsports.com. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @TonyCaridi. Tony's Take is presented by Encova.
 
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - For the second straight year the Mountaineer football team will be playing on Halloween, which got me thinking. 
 
Who are the scariest West Virginia football players of all time?
 
Before we begin, let's set some guidelines. We're not going after scary looking dudes but rather guys who were scary to opposing teams. Consider them the football version of Freddy Krueger who delivered ghoulish punishment or frightening performances.
 
Trick or treat, let's get this started:
 

1. Kevin "Boo" McCLee (2002-06) The late Mountaineer linebacker had much more than a classic Halloween nickname. He recorded some of the most punishing hits during the Rich Rodriguez era. He was named a Gridiron Gladiator as a junior and senior. 
2. Darryl "Night Train" Talley (1979-1982) This WVU Hall of Fame member may be the best Mountaineer to have ever played at Mountaineer Field. He wreaked havoc on opposing teams. A Consensus All-American in 1982, Talley didn't defend he demolished. His impact continued in the NFL where earned Pro Bowl recognition and is a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame. 
3. Canute "The Amityville Horror" Curtis (1993-96) You can't make this stuff up. West Virginia's all-time leader in sacks (34½)  and tackles for a loss (26) was from Amityville, New York. That's the same Long Island city featured in the movie "The Amityville Horror," which depicted paranormal activity and other scary stuff. 
4. Tavon "The Apparition" Austin (2009-12) No this is not just a list of scary defensive players. You've got to admit Oklahoma's defense is still shaking after what Austin did to it. The Baltimore native put on one of the greatest shows in school history when he ran for 344 yards against the Sooners in 2012. Like a ghost in the night, Oklahoma couldn't lay a hand on Tavon.
5. Joe "Monsters of the Midway" Stydahar (1933-35) It's impossible to keep this WVU and NFL Hall of Fame member off the list. Consider that after his WVU career was over he became a key member of the famous Chicago Bears Monsters of the Midway who revolutionized professional football with the T-formation. 
6.  Bruce "The Grim Reaper" Irvin (2010-11) He only played two seasons but racked up stats that many would dream about in a four year career. Those weren't boos from the crowd, but rather Bruuuuce chants as he terrorized opposing teams with 23 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss in just 26 games. 
7.  Ron "Wolfman" Wolfley (1981-84) There are few things scarier than the Wolfman howling into a full moon. As a fullback, Wolfley detonated on opposing linebackers as WVU successfully ran from the I-formation. In the NFL, the future Pro Bowler continued his punishing play as a special teams standout. 
8. Ira "Rat" Rodgers (1915-17, 1919) It's impossible to keep anyone known as "Rat" off a scary list. While the nickname alone speaks volumes, Rodgers was so much more. He's still considered one of the greatest players in school history and is West Virginia's first consensus All-American.   
9. Karl "The Jawbreaker" Joseph (2012-15)  One word describes Karl's career. Ouch. His hit on Oklahoma's Dede Westbrook in 2015 still has that sideline area designated as a crime scene. Small in stature but massive in force, Joseph was frighteningly good. 
10.  Pat "The Nightmare" White (2005-08) Any player who denies that Pat White was scary is lying. Opponents had no answer for Pat's blistering speed or killer attitude. He broke tackles, ankles and hearts. He finished as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher at quarterback and was the first and still only quarterback to ever start and win four straight bowl games. Pat White gave teams nightmares.