The Daily OrangeWho's next?: Someone has to replace Pat White on and off the field
By Matthew Ehalt
Posted: 9/2/09, 10:51 PM EST Section: FOOTBALL GUIDE 2009
Bill Stewart still remembers those magical Thursday nights.
The nationally televised wins over Pittsburgh, Maryland, Louisville and Auburn. They were a major part of the foundation for stamping West Virginia as a Big East powerhouse over the past four years.
Such sweet memories, all fueled by a fleet-footed quarterback who broke a score of records in his four superb years in Morgantown.
"Patrick White was a shining knight in each one of those games," Stewart, the Mountaineers' head coach, said. "This guy just made plays. It started with his redshirt freshman year against Louisville and every time he was the spotlight, center stage, he played the highest he could possibly play. That was pretty special.
"He brought a lot not to just West Virginia University but to the conference itself. I think the conference will miss him, but life has to go on, and other leaders have to step up and take over."
After four years of White's dazzling performances, record-breaking numbers and uncanny ability to produce in the clutch, the Mountaineers and the Big East face the unenviable task of trying to replace him. Jarrett Brown is expected to take over at quarterback for White, but will be hard-pressed to make the Mountaineer faithful forget his nimble predecessor. Within those in the conference, there is varying opinion on who can step up to be the face of the Big East, as White was in his time.
"Patrick White is the greatest winner in college football," Stewart said. "I think the guy's going to be a Super Bowl winner someday at quarterback. It's been a blessing, it's been a thrill and it's been an honor to watch this kid play because he's been great, but he's graduated so we gotta go in a different direction now."
"Winner" is the best word to describe White's years with the Mountaineers. He set 25 Big East, West Virginia and NCAA records in his four years. These include:
( Most rushing yards gained by a quarterback in a career (4,480 yards)
The nationally televised wins over Pittsburgh, Maryland, Louisville and Auburn. They were a major part of the foundation for stamping West Virginia as a Big East powerhouse over the past four years.
Such sweet memories, all fueled by a fleet-footed quarterback who broke a score of records in his four superb years in Morgantown.
"Patrick White was a shining knight in each one of those games," Stewart, the Mountaineers' head coach, said. "This guy just made plays. It started with his redshirt freshman year against Louisville and every time he was the spotlight, center stage, he played the highest he could possibly play. That was pretty special.
"He brought a lot not to just West Virginia University but to the conference itself. I think the conference will miss him, but life has to go on, and other leaders have to step up and take over."
After four years of White's dazzling performances, record-breaking numbers and uncanny ability to produce in the clutch, the Mountaineers and the Big East face the unenviable task of trying to replace him. Jarrett Brown is expected to take over at quarterback for White, but will be hard-pressed to make the Mountaineer faithful forget his nimble predecessor. Within those in the conference, there is varying opinion on who can step up to be the face of the Big East, as White was in his time.
"Patrick White is the greatest winner in college football," Stewart said. "I think the guy's going to be a Super Bowl winner someday at quarterback. It's been a blessing, it's been a thrill and it's been an honor to watch this kid play because he's been great, but he's graduated so we gotta go in a different direction now."
"Winner" is the best word to describe White's years with the Mountaineers. He set 25 Big East, West Virginia and NCAA records in his four years. These include:
( Most rushing yards gained by a quarterback in a career (4,480 yards)
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