The 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University as a member of the Big East Conference during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mountaineers compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, sharing the Big East with Connecticut. West Virginia was invited the Fiesta Bowl, where the Mountaineers defeated No. 3-ranked Oklahoma. The Mountaineers were led during the regular season by Rich Rodriguez in his seventh and final season as head coach. On December 16, he announced that he was leaving West Virginia to become the head football coach at the University of Michigan. Assistant head coach Bill Stewart was appointed as interim head coach for the bowl game. The team played home games at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.
West Virginia rose to the No. 2 in the AP poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings and No. 1 in the Coaches Poll of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings before the team's season finale against Pittsburgh, which the Mountaineers lost 13–9, knocking them out of contention for the 2008 BCS National Championship Game. West Virginia won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy, awarded to the best college football team in the Eastern United States.
Schedule
Rankings
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.
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 Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday, April 7 at 12:30 p.m.. The offense won the contest 58–30, with the only touchdown being a 46-yard pass from Adam Bednarik to Wes Lyons. Backup running back Eddie Davis produced the most impressive performance.
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 Noel Devine created some controversy when he reported to the news that he had chosen West Virginia over Alabama. But on National Signing Day, Devine never signed his letter of intent, saying that after having a talk with mentor Deion Sanders, he decided to wait to see his SAT scores. He was most likely going to pursue a prep school season, then return to the recruiting scene for 2008. Noel then received word he had passed his tests, and so signed his LOI to attend WVU. In the preseason, Devine was named one of the top 10 impact freshman for 2007.Mark Schlabach, Illinois' Benn, ND's Clausen impact newcomers for 2007, ESPN.com, June 22, 2007. An additional recruit, LB Pat Lazear, was signed on February 16, 2007.
Game summaries
Western Michigan
Statistics WMUWVU First downs 18 25 Total yards 277 542 Rushing yards 32 316 Passing yards 261 227 Turnovers 3 2 Passing: comp–att–int 26–43–2 13–22–0 Team Category Player Statistics Western Michigan Passing Tim Hiller 16/25, 160 yards, 2 INT Rushing Glenis Thompson 8 rushes, 23 yards Receiving Jamarko Simmons 14 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TD West Virginia Passing Pat White 10/18, 192 yards, 2 TD Rushing Steve Slaton 16 rushes, 109 yards, 3 TD Receiving Darius Reynaud 5 receptions, 92 yards
The Mountaineers put up the most points since 2001 against Rutgers (80–7 win) when they defeated the Broncos 62–24. Pat White put up two rushing (97 total yards) and two passing touchdowns (196 total yards) while Steve Slaton rushed for 109 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also catching a 58-yard touchdown pass from White. Freshman sensation Noel Devine scored his first touchdown of his career, while also rushing for 44 yards. Darius Reynaud had 92 yards receiving on 5 catches. The team wore traditional blue jerseys with gold pants.
At Marshall
Statistics WVUMRSH First downs 27 17 Total yards 511 387 Rushing yards 362 121 Passing yards 155 281 Turnovers 0 1 Passing: comp–att–int 13–18–0 20–32–0 Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Pat White 13/18, 149 yards, 2 TD Rushing Steve Slaton 24 rushes, 146 yards, 2 TD Receiving Darius Reynaud 9 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD Marshall Passing Bernard Morris 19/29, 256 yards, 2 TD Rushing Darius Marshall 11 rushes, 80 yards Receiving Cody Slate 5 receptions, 82 yards, TD
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.
At Maryland
Statistics WVUMD First downs 21 15 Total yards 448 269 Rushing yards 353 89 Passing yards 105 206 Turnovers 3 3 Passing: comp–att–int 8–13–0 16–24–2 Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Pat White 8/13, 95 yards Rushing Steve Slaton 26 rushes, 137 yards, 3 TD Receiving Darius Reynaud 4 receptions, 55 yards Maryland Passing Jordan Steffy 16/23, 180 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Keon Lattimore 21 rushes, 80 yards, TD Receiving Darrius Heyward-Bey 3 receptions, 56 yards
Freshman running back Noel Devine stole the spotlight from Patrick White and Steve Slaton as he rushed for 136 yards on only 5 carries. Slaton rushed for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns, while White had an off day of 95 yards passing and one rushing touchdown. This marked the 4th straight win over rival Maryland. The team wore white jerseys and blue pants.
East Carolina
Statistics ECUWVU First downs 12 29 Total yards 160 599 Rushing yards 106 397 Passing yards 95 203 Turnovers 1 0 Passing: comp–att–int 9–18–1 22–25–0 Team Category Player Statistics East Carolina Passing Patrick Pinkney 7/14, 43 yards, INT Rushing Chris Johnson 14 rushes, 76 yards, TD Receiving Chris Johnson 3 receptions, 13 yards West Virginia Passing Pat White 18/20, 181 yards, 2 TD Rushing Steve Slaton 18 rushes, 110 yards, TD Receiving Darius Reynaud 5 receptions, 54 yards, 2 TD
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.
At No. 18 South Florida
Statistics WVUUSF First downs 21 13 Total yards 437 274 Rushing yards 188 139 Passing yards 266 150 Turnovers 6 4 Passing: comp–att–int 23–38–3 11–20–2 Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Jarrett Brown 11/20, 149 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Jarrett Brown 15 rushes, 61 yards Receiving Dorrell Jalloh 5 receptions, 87 yards South Florida Passing Matt Grothe 11/20, 135 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Jamar Taylor 15 rushes, 58 yards, TD Receiving Carlton Mitchell 1 reception, 55 yards, TD
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.
At Syracuse
Statistics WVUSYR First downs 25 11 Total yards 486 202 Rushing yards 251 94 Passing yards 235 121 Turnovers 0 3 Passing: comp–att–int 18–21–0 6–16–2 Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Pat White 12/15, 148 yards, TD Rushing Pat White 14 rushes, 89 yards, TD Receiving Steve Slaton 4 receptions, 51 yards Syracuse Passing Andrew Robinson 5/15, 100 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Curtis Brinkley 18 rushes, 50 yards, TD Receiving Mike Williams 2 receptions, 72 yards, TD
The Mountaineers rebounded in a big way by trouncing the Orange to win the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy despite losing quarterback Pat White to a chest muscle strain and running back Steve Slaton to only 69 yards rushing. The team wore traditional white jerseys with gold pants.
Mississippi State
Statistics MSSTWVU First downs 12 15 Total yards 214 346 Rushing yards 45 262 Passing yards 192 84 Turnovers 3 1 Passing: comp–att–int 18–35–0 12–20–1 Team Category Player Statistics Mississippi State Passing Wesley Carroll 18/35, 169 yards Rushing Anthony Dixon 20 rushes, 61 yards, TD Receiving Tony Burks 6 receptions, 41 yards West Virginia Passing Pat White 8/12, 61 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Steve Slaton 23 rushes, 127 yards, TD Receiving Steve Slaton 4 receptions, 36 yards
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.
At No. 25 Rutgers
Statistics WVURUTG First downs 15 20 Total yards 398 314 Rushing yards 254 183 Passing yards 149 131 Turnovers 0 4 Passing: comp–att–int 10–16–0 15–31–2 Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Pat White 10/16, 144 yards Rushing Pat White 22 rushes, 156 yards, TD Receiving Steve Slaton 1 reception, 51 yards Rutgers Passing Mike Teel 14/30, 128 yards, 2 INT Rushing Ray Rice 30 rushes, 142 yards Receiving Tiquan Underwood 7 receptions, 59 yards
Rutgers was expected to perform well against West Virginia, since the Scarlet Knights had previously beaten #2 ranked South Florida. Steve Slaton led the way with 3 rushing touchdowns against #25(AP) Rutgers in WVU's 13th straight win over the Scarlet Knights. Ray Rice rushed for 142 yards breaking a Rutgers school record for most 100+ yard games. The team wore all white.
Louisville
Statistics LOUWVU First downs 24 17 Total yards 382 397 Rushing yards 37 216 Passing yards 373 183 Turnovers 5 3 Passing: comp–att–int 27–46–2 16–25–0 Team Category Player Statistics Louisville Passing Brian Brohm 27/46, 345 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing George Stripling 12 rushes, 23 yards Receiving George Stripling 8 receptions, 105 yards West Virginia Passing Pat White 16/25, 181 yards, 2 TD Rushing Pat White 24 rushes, 147 yards, TD Receiving Darius Reynaud 6 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD
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.
At No. 21 Cincinnati
Statistics WVUCIN First downs 24 17 Total yards 435 407 Rushing yards 295 84 Passing yards 140 350 Turnovers 3 3 Passing: comp–att–int 13–19–1 19–34–0