Post by cviller on Sept 20, 2007 10:02:55 GMT -5
By Mickey Furfari
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN - Noel Devine, West Virginia's multi-talented true freshman, always seems to be saying the right things.
No, it wasn't frustrating not scoring on his record-tying 76-yard run after which Steve Slaton went over from the one-yard line in last week's 31-14 win at Maryland.
"I understand that football is a team sport," he said. "At least I got the ball that far and Slaton then scored. That's all that matters."
Did teammates tease him or whatever for not going all the way?
"Whatever," Devine replied. "They said 'a good job, good runs, and a good job holding the ball.'
"I felt I had a good game. I felt the team had a good game. And there were some good blocks for the running backs."
Devine is WVU's second-leading rusher with 256 yards on 17 carries - a phenomenal 15.1-yard average per attempt. He has scored three touchdowns in as many games. He also has caught two passes for 20 yards.
"I am glad I had a good game (on national TV) so people know who I am," the Fort Myers, Fla., native said. "Everybody knows about Steve (Slaton) and Pat (White).
"When I have the ball, whatever I see, I take it. I read my blocks well. The offense is going to execute plays. We've just got to go out and play hard. Do what the coaches teach us."
Maryland players said they couldn't see the 5-8, 170-pound rookie over the WVU offensive line.
"Well, that was to my advantage," Devine said. "Hopefully, I'll get more plays (in future games). How a game goes may determine that. We'll see."
He also enjoys returning kicks along with senior wideout Darius Reynaud. He has run back four for 98 yards, Reynaud four for 107 yards.
Told that it has been a long time since WVU has scored on a return, Devine said, "I think we're getting closer every game to breaking a long run on kicks. But there is a lot of pressure on you in the middle of a game running back a kick."
Devine said he just wants to continue to contribute to the team the remainder of the season while he's still learning.
As for Saturday's home game against East Carolina, he observed that the Pirates have a great defense and "we can't afford to overlook any team. I'm concentrating solely on East Carolina."
