Post by rainman on Sept 16, 2007 9:06:57 GMT -5
WVU backfield even more potent now
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— I think it’s certainly safe to say now that this is the first time West Virginia University has ever had, on the same team, two running backs the caliber of Steve Slaton and Noel Devine.
Slaton became the first tailback (per se) in Mountaineer history to earn consensus All-America first-team status as a sophomore, and Devine has surely shown All-America potential just three games into his true-freshman season.
The late Ira Errett Rodgers was WVU’s first consensus All-America in 1919, but he was a fullback — not a running back per se. He had made three All-America first teams in 1916 as a sophomore and one in 1917.
Another fullback, Tommy Allman, was an All-America third-team pick in 1953 as a junior. He was better noted as a blocker than as a runner, though, on some of WVU’s greatest teams.
Quarterback Major Harris made two All-America first teams in 1989. But a spot on The Associated Press third team was the best he received in 1988 after guiding WVU to its first-ever 11-0 undefeated regular season.
As most Mountaineer fans remember, he was a great runner as well as passer. So was Freddy Wyant from 1952-55, an Academic All-America quarterback first-team selection in 1954.
Two other outstanding WVU signal-callers, Oliver Luck (1980-81) and Jeff Hostetler (1984), also earned Academic All-America first-team honors. Both went on to further acclaim in the National Football League.
Amos Zereoue in 1997 and Avon Cobourne in 2002 were record-shattering running backs. But the highest recognition either received was All-America third team. Quincy Wilson also was such an honoree in 2003.
Getting back to Slaton and Devine, who appear to complement each other, coach Rich Rodriguez frequently is asked for an updated comparison of the dynamite duo.
“Both are fast guys,” he stated in his latest rendition. “Steve is faster, stronger and knows the system. But they both have the ability to hit a crease and make you take poor angles when you’re chasing them.
“Noel has great hips, and Steve has good moves, too. I don’t know that they complement (each other). … But it’s a case of if you take one fast guy out, you can put in another fast guy and still keep the same issues for them, defensively.”
Rodriguez said Devine is small (5-8, 170) but not a weak guy. He has good upper body strength and strong legs. Slaton is 5-10 and 195 pounds.
“On some run plays, you’ve got to be patient,” the Mountaineer mentor noted. “You can call it setting up your blocks or making your reads. But whatever you call it, there are plays where you have to make reads and then cut off those reads.
“Steve has done a good job learning that, and the young guys will get better as they learn. In blocking, it shows up when you don’t know whom to block or when your technique is not good.
“I think that makes you not as aggressive, but I think that improves over your career. Noel still doesn’t really know whom to block. But I think he’s getting better at that. He’s got a great attitude and he’s a joy to coach.”
With a pair of phenoms like Slaton and Devine, Rodriguez certainly is counting his blessings.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— I think it’s certainly safe to say now that this is the first time West Virginia University has ever had, on the same team, two running backs the caliber of Steve Slaton and Noel Devine.
Slaton became the first tailback (per se) in Mountaineer history to earn consensus All-America first-team status as a sophomore, and Devine has surely shown All-America potential just three games into his true-freshman season.
The late Ira Errett Rodgers was WVU’s first consensus All-America in 1919, but he was a fullback — not a running back per se. He had made three All-America first teams in 1916 as a sophomore and one in 1917.
Another fullback, Tommy Allman, was an All-America third-team pick in 1953 as a junior. He was better noted as a blocker than as a runner, though, on some of WVU’s greatest teams.
Quarterback Major Harris made two All-America first teams in 1989. But a spot on The Associated Press third team was the best he received in 1988 after guiding WVU to its first-ever 11-0 undefeated regular season.
As most Mountaineer fans remember, he was a great runner as well as passer. So was Freddy Wyant from 1952-55, an Academic All-America quarterback first-team selection in 1954.
Two other outstanding WVU signal-callers, Oliver Luck (1980-81) and Jeff Hostetler (1984), also earned Academic All-America first-team honors. Both went on to further acclaim in the National Football League.
Amos Zereoue in 1997 and Avon Cobourne in 2002 were record-shattering running backs. But the highest recognition either received was All-America third team. Quincy Wilson also was such an honoree in 2003.
Getting back to Slaton and Devine, who appear to complement each other, coach Rich Rodriguez frequently is asked for an updated comparison of the dynamite duo.
“Both are fast guys,” he stated in his latest rendition. “Steve is faster, stronger and knows the system. But they both have the ability to hit a crease and make you take poor angles when you’re chasing them.
“Noel has great hips, and Steve has good moves, too. I don’t know that they complement (each other). … But it’s a case of if you take one fast guy out, you can put in another fast guy and still keep the same issues for them, defensively.”
Rodriguez said Devine is small (5-8, 170) but not a weak guy. He has good upper body strength and strong legs. Slaton is 5-10 and 195 pounds.
“On some run plays, you’ve got to be patient,” the Mountaineer mentor noted. “You can call it setting up your blocks or making your reads. But whatever you call it, there are plays where you have to make reads and then cut off those reads.
“Steve has done a good job learning that, and the young guys will get better as they learn. In blocking, it shows up when you don’t know whom to block or when your technique is not good.
“I think that makes you not as aggressive, but I think that improves over your career. Noel still doesn’t really know whom to block. But I think he’s getting better at that. He’s got a great attitude and he’s a joy to coach.”
With a pair of phenoms like Slaton and Devine, Rodriguez certainly is counting his blessings.
