By Mickey Furfari
MORGANTOWN — West Virginia running back Noel Devine certainly should be considered a legitimate candidate for the Heisman Trophy this year.
This in spite of the fact he was held to a season-low 42 yards on 17 carries in Friday’s 30-19 loss at South Florida.
Devine said recently, “I always try to keep a smile on my face. But when I get down I try not to stay down.”
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior from Ft. Myers, Fla., was averaging 130.3 yards per game in leading the Mountaineers to a 6-1 season start and No. 20 national ranking. That put him third among the country’s leading rushers.
He also had caught nine passes for 102 yards and one touchdown.
Devine had rushed for 924 yards and 10 TDs in the first seven contests for his career. He owns nine runs of 50 yards or more, including five this year.
He not only is a better player than he was in 2008, he’s more productive and a solid leader.
So much so, it’s my firm feeling that WVU cannot win without Devine healthy and in the lineup.
“Noel absolutely is a better player this season,” coach Bill Stewart said.
“He has more patience, getting to the hole and it looks like he has more speed through the hole.
“The offensive line seems to know and has a blast. And I feel it’s an absolute blessing for our football team.
“His stats don’t lie. He’s clearly more productive this year. But I like the kind of person that Noel is.
“He’s a tremendous leader, and we are very proud of that.”
Devine, who already has reached 1,000 in all-purpose yards for the third consecutive time, topped the Big East in both yards and scoring average after seven games. His 9.4 points per game ranked 11th in the nation.
He overcame a 101.8 temperature in midweek to rush for 177 yards in the second half of a 28-24 win over Connecticut 10 days ago. He had been held to a net seven yards in the first half.
“I did feel stronger in the second half,” Devine said. “I just try to stay focused when things aren’t going well for us on offense.
“We are more productive this year because you should improve as a player every year.
“I am a better player and this team is better. We have come together.”
Devine said he likes running out of the “I” formation. But he believes he can run well out of any set.
“I know what I have to do to help this team win,” he continued. “I like to make decisions and make plays.
“I try to be a leader both on and off the field. Am I happy here? Of course.”
In the earlier 38-14 victory over Colorado, Devine netted 220 yards rushing on just 22 carries for a phenomenal average of 10 yards per carry.
He also had two of his seven longest rushes against Colorado.
One covered 77 yards for a touchdown to give WVU a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The other was a 56-yard run in the third period.
In the loss to Auburn, Devine had a game-high 128 yards on just 15 rushes. That was an average of 8.5 yards per carry, and he scored a career-best three touchdowns.
He is averaging 6.8 yards per carry for his career collection of 2,826 yards. This ranks fifth all-time for 32 years.
His 3.835 all-purpose yards puts Devine No. 7 on that all-time career WVU list.
If he maintains his present pace, there’s no telling how many yards and points he’ll wind up with this year.
Devine certainly is deserving to be in the 2009 Heisman hunt.
