The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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August 14, 2009

WVU football

Devine leads by example

By Dave Morrison

MORGANTOWN — Noel Devine doesn’t need to say much and, truth be told, doesn’t really want to say a lot.

That’s not his idea of being a leader.

“I would say I’ve always been a leader,” Devine said. “But not just by talking that much. I would say I’ve led by example throughout high school. But it’s different at this level. You also have to talk. And I wasn’t very good at communicating with my teammates at this level (last year). Some would listen, some wouldn’t. So I led by example.”

But make no mistake about it, Devine is a leader.

“He’s done a lot of that himself,” WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty said. “A lot of times your personality is what’s needed at the time. Last year it was Pat’s (White) team, it was Ryan Stanchek’s team, it was Mike Dent’s team. So you let those guys lead and you kind of play your position, your role behind them. This year it’s his team because he’s more of the elder statesman of the group.”

So this year, a more verbal Devine has emerged.

“I try to talk to the younger guys, keep them up,” Devine said. “If they mess up I tell them there’ll be better days. Right now (the younger players) will listen because I try to do everything the right way and I work hard.

“I’ve never been a follower. Coach Beatty helped me out a lot. We talked about everything, not just football. I admire the way he handles himself and how he handles us.”

Nothing wrong with his play last year.

He had 1,289 yards, the eighth-best total in school history, which included five games of 100 yards or more.

He sealed the Mountaineers’ 17-6 win over Syracuse with a 92-yard touchdown run late. He finished with 188 yards on 18 carries.

In the Mountaineers’ next game, he rushed for 207 yards on 17 carries and a 30-yard TD run.

But he only had four touchdowns, a statistic down from his six on just 73 total carries as a true freshman.

So it’s obvious Devine, so good so soon that some said he should be starting ahead of Steve Slaton as a freshman, can improve.

“I’d like for him to be a little more downhill and we’ve talked about all spring and he’s gotten better at,” Beatty said. “He’s gotten a little more patient, which is obviously noticeable between last year and this year.

“He’s got to shoulder more of the burden. He’s going to get some of those carries that Pat had. He’s got to be physical enough to run between the tackles but still be himself and get out in space and be electric. And he’s got to be more of a factor in the pass game. Last year he caught some balls, but we didn’t get much productivity.”

“I got a lot better by doing the little things right,” Devine said. “I’ve always been good, but I got better by him helping me out with the little things like blocking, getting north and south, making one move and getting up field. Being more patient.”

At 5-foot-8 (maybe), 178 pounds, can he take the pounding of a season?

Well, he did have 206 carries last year.

And ...

“Our scheme protects him a little bit,” Beatty said. “Our scheme isn’t one of those downhill, running between the tackles schemes. That’s why Pat could run the ball so much. You aren’t taking a beating like you would if you lined up and ran out of the I.

“That being said, Noel’s an I-back. You line him up seven yards behind the line and let him see the field.”

Devine is ready for a divine junior campaign.

“If they (the opposition) want to get at me, they’ve got to get me. They’ve got to catch me.”

Easier said than done.

— E-mail:

demorrison@register-herald.com

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