WEST VIRGINIA GETS ONE LAST WIN FOR WHITE

By Matt Whitfield

Pat White started off his college career as a winner now he’s gone out the same way. White threw for 3 TD’s and 332 yards Saturday en route to the Mountaineers 31-30 victory over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. White had one of his best passing days ever as a Mountaineer and his team needed every bit of it as the Mountaineers railed to defeat the Tar Heels before 73,712 at Bank of America Stadium.

In what was a hard fought game the Mountaineers and Tar Heels would battle neck in neck throughout the game. There were five lead changes, but no lead was ever more than a TD or lasted more than a quarter. Both teams came out and played like they were still top ranked teams not wanting to end the season on a bad note. Hakeem Nicks would have a career performance for the Tar Heels reeling in 8 passes for 217 yards and 3 of his teams TD’s. Unfortunately for Nicks, White who had been West Virginia’s vocal and team leader ever since he dawned the blue and gold didn’t plan on going out a loser. Besides amassing an remarkable 387 yards of total offense himself White made sure the Mountaineers went out winners as he would hit Alric Arnett for a 20 yard TD pass with 7:14 left, giving the Mountaineers a 31-30 lead, and a eventual victory.

After the game, only fittingly Pat White would be named the Meineke Car Care Bowl MVP, his 3rd straight bowl game MVP award. Overjoyed West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart would say of White, "I'm sitting by the greatest winner in college football today," He's the greatest to ever wear the old gold and blue. It's a fitting tribute that this man's the MVP." Despite starting the season 1-2 the Mountaineers showed they still had it, maybe just not as good as they had it under Rodriguez and Co. West Virginia finishes the season with a 9-4 record and fourth consecutive bowl victory.

Not having White next season without will undoubtedly bring in some change. Question is how will the Mountaineers fare without the only college QB ever to win in four consecutive bowl games?