MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Like many Division I athletes, it's almost as if
Sean Mahone has a split personality.
Off the football field, he's quiet and subdued, but when he's on the field he is capable of flipping a different switch.
"When I'm on the field I feel more loose, and I don't have to worry about anything," he says. "I don't lose control, but I don't have to worry about anything.
"I'm not a rah-rah type of guy, but I feel like I'm persistent with anything I do on and off the field. Nothing is ever given; everything is earned. I always have that mindset," Mahone says.
Mahone's performance this year in the secondary has helped West Virginia rank No. 1 in pass defense heading into this Saturday's game against Oklahoma, and No. 4 in total defense, allowing just 274 yards per game.
The Liberty Township, Ohio, resident has played in 40 career games, making 20 starts, with 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery during a fine senior season.
Mahone's play in the back end of the secondary with fellow safeties
Tykee Smith and
Alonzo Addae has been one of the many bright spots this season for the Mountaineers.
Mahone nearly had two interceptions in the Kansas State game, his first one gobbled up by cornerback
Nicktroy Fortune before he could get to the deflected pass.
"After the play I congratulated him. I'm glad he caught it because I almost knocked it down (trying to get one)," he says. Later, he got his chance when he out-fought K-State tight end Sammy Wheeler to pick off his first pass of the season.
"He threw it up in the, air and I was like, 'I've got to go attack it. I had to get me an interception.' I was fortunate enough to be able to go up and grab it and secure it," Mahone says.
"You've just got to take advantage of every opportunity you get. I almost dropped it because his hand was in my face. I got very lucky," he adds.
Mahone says particular safety position he plays in West Virginia's scheme is like being the quarterback of the defense.
"I've got to look and get the call from the sideline, relay it to everybody and then I've got to line up. If everybody doesn't get lined up right it's our fault," he explains. "I like having that responsibility because it's helped me as a person be productive."
Mahone says he's thankful every day for the having the opportunity to play Power 5 college football.
"Not everybody has a chance to play at this level, so I'm beyond blessed to have the opportunity to keep playing and stuff," he says.
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Chris Ostien and is presented each week by our friends at Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration.
