2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
2007 Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium | |
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 6 West Virginia $+ | 5 | – | 2 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connecticut + | 5 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 17 Cincinnati | 4 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Florida | 4 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rutgers | 3 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville | 3 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pittsburgh | 3 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Syracuse | 1 | – | 6 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
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The 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team began play on September 1, 2007. The team was coached by
Preseason
New uniforms
West Virginia unveiled a new gold uniform with blue stripes design for the season. The tops have been featured with both blue and gold bottoms. The uniform is currently being featured as the alternate home uniform. Running back Steve Slaton sported the uniform when he attended the 2007 Playboy All-American honoring at the Playboy Mansion at the beginning of the preseason wearing it with white bottoms.[1]
Spring practice
West Virginia started spring practice on March 5. Mountaineer fans got an opportunity to get a first look at the 2007 football team during the annual Gold-Blue Game, which was held at
The major goals of spring practice were to improve the defense, find a solid backup for running back Steve Slaton, and work out the inexperienced class of receivers. The Mountaineers also needed to replace the center position, where All-American Dan Mozes left as a senior, and the guard position.
Recruiting class
The Mountaineers received 25 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 7, 2007. Florida all-purpose back
US college sports recruiting information for recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
Don Barclay OL |
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania | Seneca Valley HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | 4.14 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Asa Chapman DL |
Orange, Virginia | Fork Union | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 360 lb (160 kg) | 5.50 | Feb 4, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Noel Devine RB |
North Fort Myers, Florida | North Fort Myers HS | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.35 | Mar 30, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Sidney Glover DB |
Warren, Ohio | Warren G. Harding HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 4.50 | Dec 8, 2008 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Gino Gradkowski OL |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Seton-LaSalle HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | 5.20 | Jun 24, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Andrew Harris WR |
St. Petersburg, Florida | St. Petersburg Catholic HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.68 | Sep 8, 2008 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Vincent Harris LB |
Cincinnati, Ohio | LaSalle HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 4.50 | Oct 6, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Brandon Hogan Ath |
Manassas, Virginia | Osbourn Senior HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.30 | Jun 15, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Will Johnson LB |
Centerville, Ohio | Centerville HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.50 | Jan 21, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Terence Kerns RB |
Frederick, Maryland | Thomas Johnson HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.46 | Apr 12, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Derek Knight DB |
Detroit, Michigan | Renaissance HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.55 | Nov 8, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Ellis Lankster DB |
Mobile, Alabama | Jones County JC | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | N/A | Dec 10, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Pat Lazear LB |
Bethesda, Maryland | Whitman HS, Wheaton HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 4.66 | Feb 16, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Junius Lewis DL |
Morgantown, West Virginia | Morgantown HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | 4.91 | May 6, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Charles Matthews WR |
Solon, Ohio | Solon HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 4.40 | Feb 4, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Julian Miller DE |
Columbus, Ohio | Beechcroft HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 4.65 | Aug 29, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Evan Rodriguez DB |
North Bergen, New Jersey | North Bergen HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 4.55 | Dec 11, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Charlie Russell QB |
Morgantown, West Virginia | Morgantown HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 4.97 | Mar 5, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jock Sanders Ath |
St. Petersburg, Florida | St. Petersburg Catholic HS | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.58 | Sep 5, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
P.J. Shirdan DB |
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania | Monsignor Bonner HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.50 | Aug 16, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Archie Sims LB |
Laurel, Mississippi | Jones County JC | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 4.60 | Feb 6, 2007 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Eain Smith DB |
Miramar, Florida | Chaminade-Madonna HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.53 | Dec 10, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Chad Snodgrass OL |
Cross Lanes, West Virginia | Nitro HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | 5.42 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bradley Starks QB |
Unionville, Virginia | Orange County HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.40 | May 9, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Keith Tandy DB |
Hopkinsville, Kentucky | Christian County HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.40 | Nov 22, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Kendall Washington DB |
Canton, Ohio | St. Thomas Aquinas HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.38 | Dec 12, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tony Wood DB |
Blakeslee, Pennsylvania | Lackawanna JC | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.40 | Nov 12, 2006 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 25 Rivals: 36 | ||||||
Sources:
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Rankings
Week | ||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 6 |
Coaches | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 |
Harris | Not released | 5 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 9 | Not released | |||
BCS | Not released | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 9 | Not released |
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 1 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+ | W 62–24 | 60,563 | |||
September 8 | 11:00 a.m. | at Marshall* | No. 3 | ESPN2 | W 48–23 | 40,383 | |
September 13 | 7:30 p.m. | at Byrd Stadium | ESPN | W 31–14 | 53,107 | ||
September 22 | Noon | East Carolina* | No. 5 |
| ESPN2 | W 48–7 | 60,021 |
September 28 | 8:00 p.m. | at No. 18 South Florida | No. 5 | ESPN2 | L 13–21 | 67,018 | |
October 6 | Noon | at Carrier Dome | ESPN+ | W 55–14 | 35,345 | ||
October 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Mississippi State*![]() | No. 9 |
| ESPN+ | W 38–13 | 61,022 |
October 27 | Noon | at Rutgers Stadium | ABC | W 31–3 | 43,620 | ||
November 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Louisville | No. 7 |
| ESPN | W 38–31 | 60,992 |
November 17 | 7:45 p.m. | at No. 22 Cincinnati | No. 6 | ESPN | W 28–23 | 35,079 | |
November 24 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 20 Connecticut | No. 3 |
| ABC | W 66–21 | 59,701 |
December 1 | 7:45 p.m. | Pittsburgh | No. 2 |
| ESPN | L 9–13 | 60,100 |
January 2 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 4 University of Phoenix Stadium | FOX | W 48–28 | 70,016 | ||
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Game summaries
Western Michigan
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Michigan | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
#3 West Virginia | 14 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 62 |
The Mountaineers put up the most points since 2001 against
Marshall
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#3 West Virginia | 6 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 48 |
Marshall | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
The Mountaineers traveled to Huntington, for the first time in over 90 years and got off to a slow start in losing 13–6 at halftime, but Steve Slaton's two touchdowns and 146 yards helped the Mountaineers pull out the win to capture the Governors Trophy. Pat White went 13 of 18 for 149 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 125 yards and a score. Freshman Noel Devine rushed for a touchdown and 76 yards on only five carries as well. The team wore all white uniforms
Maryland
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#4 West Virginia | 7 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
Maryland | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Freshman running back
East Carolina
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
#5 West Virginia | 10 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 48 |
The Mountaineers had their most complete game of the season as they almost pitched a shutout. The Pirates scored with less than a minute left in the game against the second-team defense, but the Mountaineers only allowed 160 total yards on the day. Pat White went 18 for 20 (90% completion percentage set a school record) for 181 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores. Steve Slaton rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown, which tied a school record for most career rushing touchdowns (42). Darius Reynaud, who played with a shoulder injury, had two touchdown receptions and a 64-yard run. Linebacker Mortty Ivy helped the defense out with an interception and a forced fumble. The team wore all blue uniforms
South Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#5 West Virginia | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
#18 South Florida | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
In front of an expected record-breaking crowd at Raymond James Stadium, the Mountaineers were defeated by the #18 South Florida Bulls. WVU committed 6 turnovers during the game and starting QB Pat White didn't play in the second half. The team wore all white.
Syracuse
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#13 West Virginia | 14 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 55 |
Syracuse | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
The Mountaineers rebounded in a big way by trouncing the Orange to win the
Mississippi State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mississippi State | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 13 |
#9 West Virginia | 28 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 38 |
The Mountaineers jumped to an early 28–0 lead by the end of the 1st quarter and cruised to a 38–13 win. This marked the first game for the new gold jerseys, which were worn with blue pants
Rutgers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#6 West Virginia | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
#25 Rutgers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Rutgers was expected to perform well against West Virginia, since the Scarlet Knights had previously beaten #2 ranked South Florida.
Louisville
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisville | 0 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
#6 West Virginia | 14 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
By halftime West Virginia had a 21–14 lead. Louisville was able to take advantage of the Mountaineer's mistakes(WVU had 3 turnovers and 11 penalties for 116 yards) and were able to spark a comeback but West Virginia broke the 31–31 tie when Pat White ran for a 50 yd TD with a little over a minute to play. Brian Brohm was intercepted in the final seconds of the game ending Louisville's attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime. The team wore all gold uniforms, and most of the crowd also wore gold.
Cincinnati
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#5 West Virginia | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
#21 Cincinnati | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
For the second straight game West Virginia made a double-digit second-half lead interesting by coughing up the football. And for the second straight game the Mountaineers were able to hold on for a victory by defeating No. 21 Cincinnati 28–23 to keep its Big East title hopes alive. Pat White finished the game with 295 yards of total offense, rushing 27 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns and completing 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards. Sophomore safety Boogie Allen recovered a Cincinnati onside kick to save the Mountaineers' win. The team wore white jerseys and blue pants.
Connecticut
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#20 Connecticut | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
#3 West Virginia | 14 | 10 | 21 | 21 | 66 |
West Virginia rushed for 517 yards(415 of which came in the second half) and clinched their 5th
Pittsburgh
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
#2 West Virginia | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
WVU entered the game against Pitt as 28 point favorites to win the 100th Backyard Brawl and earn a berth in the BCS championship game. The Mountaineers, however, could never get their high-powered offense going against the Panthers and were hurt by fumbles, missed field goals, and ineffective performances by Steve Slaton and Pat White, the latter of whom missed part of the game with a thumb injury. Pittsburgh, starting their backup QB Pat Bostick, was equally ineffective at moving the ball outside of the play of LeSean McCoy. Trailing by one possession late in the fourth quarter, West Virginia twice had the ball in Pitt territory, with both drives ending in Pat White being stopped on downs. The final Pitt possession saw the Panthers run the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety as the clock expired, ending WVU's National Championship hopes.
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#3 Oklahoma | 0 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 28 |
#9 West Virginia | 6 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 48 |
WVU entered the game as 7-point underdogs to the #3
Oklahoma came back in the second half early with a field goal, followed by a goal line touchdown run by Chris Brown. The Sooners went for a 2-point conversion after the touchdown, but Bradford's pass was incomplete, leaving the score at 20–15. The Mountaineers answered back with a 17-yard run by Noel Devine for the touchdown to put the Mountaineers up 27–15. The Mountaineers scored again to end the third quarter, this time on a 30-yard reverse run by Darius Reynaud, to put the Mountaineers up 34–15 going into the fourth quarter. The Sooners scored early again, off of a Bradford pass to Quentin Chaney, but yet again failed a 2-point conversion attempt. West Virginia continued to roll however, as White hooked up with receiver Tito Gonzales for a 79-yard touchdown pass to put the Mountaineers up 41–21. The pass was the longest play in West Virginia school bowl history. Oklahoma scored again on a Bradford pass, this time to Juaquin Iglesias, but this time kicked the extra point to make the score 41–28. The Mountaineers sealed the game with six minutes left on a 65-yard touchdown run by Noel Devine, his second score of the game.
The West Virginia Mountaineers totaled 349 rushing yards in the victory. Pat White totaled 176 yards and two touchdowns passing while rushing for 150 yards. Noel Devine rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries, while Owen Schmitt totaled 64 yards and a score on three carries. Sam Bradford recorded 242 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception passing for the Sooners. Allen Patrick rushed for 82 yards on 14 carries, while Chris Brown rushed for 50 yards and a score on 16 carries. Quentin Chaney grabbed 4 passes for 129 yards and a score while receiver Juaquin Iglesias returned seven kicks for 195 yards.
References
- ^ "Boise State". Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ Mark Schlabach, Illinois' Benn, ND's Clausen impact newcomers for 2007, ESPN.com, June 22, 2007.
- ^ "Scout.com: Lazear Inks With WVU". Scout.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2007.