West Virginia crushes Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl

[Zac]

This goes out to all of you who are not Mountaineers, but had nice things to say (By the way, for the most part, the OK fans have been great too!!!), thanks for all the props. It’s nice to see this team recognized for showing they really do have a solid competitive program and are not only capable of playing with any program in the country, but can beat them as well.

LarryGB, I can’t lie to you. When it comes to how Rich Rodriguez handled the entire MI situation, I’m as disappointed as the next guy. I also can’t argue with you. Rodriguez did build this program into what it is today. It was he and his staff, Bill Stewart included, who have elevated the Mountaineers to the next level, a championship contender.

As apparently Bill Stewart has been named HC (CONGRATS, BILL!!!), he will have his work cut out for him. Not only will he have to rebuild his staff (OC, Calvin McGee is also leaving.), he’ll need to select those with the character and drive to continue the program to that degree developed by Rodriguez. Not to mention, he’s going to have to get out on the recruiting trail. So, best of luck to Bill Stewart; he’ll need all of our support.

[Elkins_WV]

They say that character is forged in the fires of adversity; well, the palyers for WVU showed that through the hottest flames imaginable over the past few weeks their character was forged as if it were the toughest of steel. The players stepped up and fought 4 hard quarters to own this victory they coveted so much. "Coach Stew" - I have just two words for you - CLASS ACT!!! Victory aside, I must admit from my heart, the character displayed by the WVU football team, makes me so proud to forever be a faithful MOUNTAINEER!!! Oh, by the way... Coach Rod who?..:)

[Bulldozer]

Good job WVU. Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Th kids will be ok. IF they stick together, they'll be better next year. Getting a OC playcaller that mixes it up like last night will go a long way to fixing the damage that was done last month. I don't know if the idiot threw the game or just goofed off and didn't take the game seriously and got beat. And blew his chance for immortality. But he will never find out. Good.

[SoonerFan]

Congratulations to WVU. Your guys played a heckuva game, and I hope my Sooners learned a lesson about bringing some heart to the field.

Also, I was glad to see Coach Stewart get the job. He certainly earned it last night. Best of luck to you next year, and maybe we can meet you in the NC for a rematch!

[WVU Grad]

WV Native wrote:

I am so proud of the WV football team. They played with pride, determination, but most of all team unity. They are a class act that is for sure, unlike their previous leader. They played against all odds as every state in the US, but the state of WV, picked OU to win. Unless you were born or have lived in the great state of WV, you do not realize what that Mountaineer football program means to the state. WV doesn't have pro football, basketball, baseball, etc...It is a small state in size, but the people there are different. They are kind, loyal, and respectful people that share a bond like a big family would. When I was a little girl I can remember my father sitting in the kitchen every Saturday with the radio on listening to the Mountaineer's football games. There weren't many college games on TV then of course, but it would be many years before WV would ever appear on national TV. I know he is smiling down from heaven today along with all true Mountaineers. WE LOVE THE MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!!!!

I am a WVU grad and WV native living in Orlando, too. I share your pride, not just in winning, but in HOW the team won.

I try to explain to people here in Florida that there is still a place where people's word is their bond, where "Scout's honor" means something, and where the community lets you know if you let them down as a human being. Of course, that place is West Virginia.

Even had the scoreboard read differently at the end, the team and Coach Stew are winners in the eyes of the people who love them.

As for Rich, I hope he opens his eyes and his heart and learns from this. He never knew what he had, I don't think, until he threw it all away. I am angry with him, but I also feel sorry for him. Some bridges once burned cannot be rebuilt. There is an old Tammy Wynette and George Jones song that sums it up: "There's nothing cold as ashes, after the fire is gone." (Yes, I am a hillbilly music fan, and proud of that, too.)

My dad and I listened to the games, also, on WCHS radio, before I went to WVU, in the old days when we had to travel from Charleston to Parkersburg and on up Rt 2 through Sistersville, home of Coach Stew. I am sure my dad is right there with yours, watching from above with beaming approval for the character displayed by the team last night.

Yes, we dearly love our Mountaineers, first and foremost for who they are as people. It's icing on the cake when they win a game like this one! I will never forget this as long as I live! Great choice WVU in naming Stewart as coach. The past few weeks became a morality play of sorts, and the right lessons can and should be drawn from it now.

[jay]

BEFORE MOST OF ALL YOU PEOPLE WERE DOUBTING THE EERS & TRASH TALKING US BUT NOW EVERYBODY WANTS ON THE WAGON SORRY FELLAS THERE ISN'T ENOUGH ROOM FOR YOU.

[Vince]

LarryGB wrote:

I congratulate the WVU football team for an outstanding bowl game. I was cheering them on from the opening kickoff. However, I am not at all surprised at some of the comments by the so called fans. Like it or not this was just as much Rich Rodriguez' win as anyone member of the team, be it player, coach or assistant coach. It was his recruited players, his philosophy, his chosen assistants, his day in and day out coaching of that philosophy that won this game. All the coaches had to do was remind them of what coach Rodriguiz had taught over the years.
I have no doubt that coach Stewart will be a fine coach and I congratulate him on his promotion.
goblue

Not so fast my friend. WVU opened up the playbook for this one. Grinch Frodriguez would not throw down field to save his life. Myself and many other WVU fans have been begging for some play action passes all season and as soon as Rod leaves. WE get em.

[WVU fan]

Congrad's to WVU on a great win. And to the OU faithful: thank you for taking the loss so graciously. But to those who are still in disbelif about WVU gaining 350 rushing yards...they have been and always will be a 'run' first team and have for years been successful in running the ball on great teams, just go check out the stats. But we have also felt the sting of embarrassment when we lost the most important game of the reg season to rival Pitt (a team who was a 21 point underdog and a had losing record). And I want to remind everyone that OU was facing (I believe WVU is the #4 rated defense in the nation) a greatly improved defense over last year. Most of the comments from WVU opponents this year (offensive players) stated after the game that they were 'shocked' at how fast the defense was.

[Raptor Witness]

2008 Fiesta Bowl - psychic predicts winner's score of 48 http://www.youtube.com/watch...

This is a really good story. Someone or something was helping West Virgina.

[Bulldozer]

Vince wrote:

<quoted text>Not so fast my friend. WVU opened up the playbook for this one. Grinch Frodriguez would not throw down field to save his life. Myself and many other WVU fans have been begging for some play action passes all season and as soon as Rod leaves. WE get em.

Whoever calls the plays should watch the touchdown catches 1000 times each. Textbook of how to beat the overloaded box. Just as you asked for.

[FastJack]

Coach Stew will have build on the football program that Rodriguez managed to craft - no thanks to Rodriguez who took the time to call the WVU high-school prospects to encourage them to follow him to Michigan. Rodriguez is an embarrassment to West Virginia for that act alone. I can't fault anyone for going where the money is, but Rodriguez's quest for the gold ring revealed that he was, in fact, nothing more than an opportunistic trailer trash from Morgantown. Coach Stew is the embodiment of all that is good and worthwhile and West Virginian.

[Bulldozer]

FastJack wrote:

Coach Stew will have build on the football program that Rodriguez managed to craft - no thanks to Rodriguez who took the time to call the WVU high-school prospects to encourage them to follow him to Michigan. Rodriguez is an embarrassment to West Virginia for that act alone. I can't fault anyone for going where the money is, but Rodriguez's quest for the gold ring revealed that he was, in fact, nothing more than an opportunistic trailer trash from Morgantown. Coach Stew is the embodiment of all that is good and worthwhile and West Virginian.

And that's why (I think) that WVU sued the bastard to enforce the buyout clause. Because of how he manages his affairs. Or doesn't.