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The Daily OrangeFB | DEVINE INTERVENTION: Noel Devine's 92-yard, fourth-quarter TD spoils Syracuse's upset hopes at WVU
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 10/11/08, 5:25 PM EST Section: Sports
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While the Mountaineer offense - playing without concussed, multi-threat quarterback Pat White all game - sputtered around him, Devine remained a weapon, volatile and looming during West Virginia's eventual, 17-6 win.
Devine was lightning in a bottle, and he struck late. He exploded when the Mountaineers needed it most and the Orange could afford it least. With West Virginia leading by four late in the fourth quarter and looking to run out the clock after Syracuse had turned the ball over on downs, Devine took a handoff on a 3rd-and-7 from the WVU 8, and stretched toward the left sideline.
Then Devine found a seam. Then he was gone. Then the game was over. Over just like that for the Orange (1-5, Big East 0-2). Over that fast, even for a 92-yard sprint, even for a game that still had 4:16 left when Devine hit the end zone.
"He saw a little gap and we just couldn't recover from it," said senior defensive tackle Nick Santiago. "As soon as he hit it, he was out the gate. There really is no catching that guy."
Devine finished with 194 total yards, 188 on the ground on 18 carries, the lion's share of his team's production.
His final jaunt was a shocking, abrupt end to a day that, at times, seemed as if it might belong to the Orange. The defense played its best game of the season and the offense had its chances, glimpses that flashed and then disappeared.
West Virginia had gained just 176 yards before Devine's outburst. The Mountaineers had little rhythm on offense, only an overload of short passes from backup quarterback Jarrett Brown that did little damage (just 52 passing yards). They converted just four-of-12 first downs and committed eight penalties for 69 yards.
Meanwhile, Orange tailback Curtis Brinkley chugged for 144 yards, most of them in the second half. Syracuse dominated time of possession, holding a more than eight minute advantage over West Virginia. The Orange had control for a good part of the game, even if it didn't hold a lead after midway through the second quarter.
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