A Tribute to Mountaineer Football
A few people may have heard that I am a fan of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. This was the team of my youth. I lived in Morgantown, WV (NOT Virginia, thank you very much) from 1971-77, during the formative years up through 4th grade.
Though I lived elsewhere until 2001, I remained a fan as West Virginia football became something of powerhouse, yet something like a Boise State or Utah -- outside the mainstream. In spite of this underdog status, the Mountaineers played in national championship games (before the BCS system) after the 1988 and 1993 seasons. After the '88 season, they lost to Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Their star quarterback Major Harris was injured on the opening drive and WVU never recovered. After the '93 season, they got walloped by Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
With 678 wins, WVU is the winningest program in major college football to have never won a national championship, more than schools like Miami or Virginia Tech. They were close again in 2007, ranked #1 in the polls, simply needing to beat Pitt in the final game to play for the championship. Instead, they were embarrassed at home 13-9 by a Pitt team that threw all new defensive schemes at them, and our kicker -- who now punts for Indianapolis -- missed 2 field goals. Tough game. Their coach left within a week for Michigan, but WVU went on to outclass Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl with new coach Bill Stewart.
It was a blessing to live in Morgantown again from 2001-09, through another 8 football seasons. My kids & wife all cheer for WVU. We don't bleed gold and blue, but it certainly was part of the enjoyment of living in a great college town like Morgantown. We're loving Fresno and enjoy building new traditions and loyalties here, but part of my heart will always remain at Mountaineer Field.
Here's a clip of the WVU band's pregame show at the '06 Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia -- always the best pre-game show ever!
Though I lived elsewhere until 2001, I remained a fan as West Virginia football became something of powerhouse, yet something like a Boise State or Utah -- outside the mainstream. In spite of this underdog status, the Mountaineers played in national championship games (before the BCS system) after the 1988 and 1993 seasons. After the '88 season, they lost to Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Their star quarterback Major Harris was injured on the opening drive and WVU never recovered. After the '93 season, they got walloped by Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
With 678 wins, WVU is the winningest program in major college football to have never won a national championship, more than schools like Miami or Virginia Tech. They were close again in 2007, ranked #1 in the polls, simply needing to beat Pitt in the final game to play for the championship. Instead, they were embarrassed at home 13-9 by a Pitt team that threw all new defensive schemes at them, and our kicker -- who now punts for Indianapolis -- missed 2 field goals. Tough game. Their coach left within a week for Michigan, but WVU went on to outclass Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl with new coach Bill Stewart.
It was a blessing to live in Morgantown again from 2001-09, through another 8 football seasons. My kids & wife all cheer for WVU. We don't bleed gold and blue, but it certainly was part of the enjoyment of living in a great college town like Morgantown. We're loving Fresno and enjoy building new traditions and loyalties here, but part of my heart will always remain at Mountaineer Field.
Here's a clip of the WVU band's pregame show at the '06 Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia -- always the best pre-game show ever!
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