2011 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

American college football season

2011 West Virginia Mountaineers football

Big East co–champion Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy Orange Bowl champion
Orange Bowl, W 70–33 vs. Clemson
Conference	Big East Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 18
AP	No. 17
Record	10–3 (5–2 Big East)
Head coach	Dana Holgorsen (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Air raid
Defensive coordinator	Jeff Casteel (10th season)
Base defense	3–3–5
Captains	Geno Smith Don Barclay Najee Goode Keith Tandy
Home stadium	Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Seasons← 2010 2012 →

2011 Big East Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 17 West Virginia $+	5	–	2	10	–	3
No. 25 Cincinnati +	5	–	2	10	–	3
Louisville +	5	–	2	7	–	6
Rutgers	4	–	3	9	–	4
Pittsburgh	4	–	3	6	–	7
Connecticut	3	–	4	5	–	7
South Florida	1	–	6	5	–	7
Syracuse	1	–	6	5	–	7

$ – BCS representative as conference champion + – Conference co-champions As of January 11, 2012 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season as members of the Big East Conference. The Mountaineers were led by Dana Holgorsen, who was in his first season as head coach. West Virginia played their home games on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. They finished the season 10–3, 5–2 in Big East play to earn a share of the Big East Conference championship with Cincinnati and Louisville. The Mountaineers, in their final season in the Big East before moving to the Big 12 the following season, earned the league's automatic berth in the BCS due to being the highest ranked of the Big East champions in the final BCS rankings. They were invited to the Orange Bowl for the first time ever where they defeated Clemson 70–33. This was the third victory for West Virginia in three BCS games played in the BCS era (having won BCS bowls in 2006 and 2008), while the 70 points in the Orange Bowl set a record for most points scored in a bowl game (which was matched by Army in 2018).

Previous season

The 2010 West Virginia Mountaineers finished the season at 9–4 with a 5–2 record in Big East play. They shared the 2010 Big East Football Championship with Pittsburgh and Connecticut, with Connecticut earning the Big East BCS bid by way of tie-breaker. The Mountaineers were invited to the Champs Sports Bowl where they were defeated by North Carolina State 23–7.

Pre-season

Coaching changes

On December 16, 2010, West Virginia University announced the hiring of former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Holgorsen replaces Jeff Mullen as offensive coordinator and will take over as the Mountaineers head coach in 2012.

On January 5, 2011, the Mountaineers announced the hiring of three offensive coaches; Robert Gillespie (Running Backs), Bill Bedenbaugh (Offensive Line), and Shannon Dawson (Inside-Receivers).

On March 10, 2011, it was announced that lone offensive staff holdover Lonnie Galloway (Outside-Receivers) has left West Virginia to take a coaching job at Wake Forest.

On March 28, 2011, West Virginia University announced the hiring of Daron Roberts as an assistant coach. Roberts will be working with wide receivers and special teams.

On June 10, 2011, West Virginia University announced that Bill Stewart had resigned as head coach and that Dana Holgorsen would assume the position effective immediately. Holgorsen has stated he will serve as his own offensive coordinator but that he was unsure who would fill the extra spot on the coaching staff.

On July 8, 2011, Head Coach Dana Holgorsen hired Alex Hammond as recruiting coordinator.

The Mountaineers have retained the entire 2010 defensive coaching staff for the 2011 season.

Key losses

Noel Devine – RB
Jock Sanders – WR
Eric jobe – OL
Scooter berry – DT
Chris neild – DT
Pat lazear – LB
J.T. Thomas – LB
Anthony leonard – LB
Brandon Hogan – CB
Robert sands – S
Benji Powers- DB

2011 recruits

College recruiting information (2011)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40	Commit date
Brian Athey QB	Eden Prairie, MN	Eden Prairie Sr.	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.8	Jul 11, 2010
Brian Athey QB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 73
Jared Barber MLB	Mocksville, NC	Davie County	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.65	Jul 28, 2010
Jared Barber MLB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76
Ben Bradley DT	Norcross, GA	Norcross	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	5.2	Sep 8, 2010
Ben Bradley DT	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Isaiah Bruce MLB	Riverview, Duval County, Florida	Providence Christian	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.6	Jan 11, 2011
Isaiah Bruce MLB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77
Andrew Buie RB	Jacksonville, FL	Trinity Christian	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.45	Jan 23, 2011
Andrew Buie RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Dante Campbell WR	Clermont, FL	East Ridge	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.5	Jul 27, 2010
Dante Campbell WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Terrell Chestnut DB	Pottstown, PA	Pottsgrove	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	177 lb (80 kg)	4.5	Jan 23, 2011
Terrell Chestnut DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Cody Clay TE	Charleston, WV	George Washington	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	4.85	Jun 20, 2010
Cody Clay TE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Joshua Francis OLB	Scranton, PA	Lackawanna CC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.55	Dec 7, 2010
Joshua Francis OLB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: –
Dustin Garrison RB	Pearland, TX	Pearland	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	4.5	Jan 16, 2011
Dustin Garrison RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76
Russell Haughton-James OL	Plantation, FL	American Heritage	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.0	Jan 19, 2011
Russell Haughton-James OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74
Brandon Jackson OL	Lakewood, OH	St. Edward	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	5.3	Jan 16, 2011
Brandon Jackson OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 68
Justin Johnson OL	Parkersburg, WV	Parkersburg	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	288 lb (131 kg)	5.3	Sep 4, 2010
Justin Johnson OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77
Nick Kwiatkoski DB	Bethel Park, PA	Bethel Park	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.5	Jul 28, 2010
Nick Kwiatkoski DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76
Marquis Lucas OL	Miami, FL	Miami Central	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	–	Feb 2, 2011
Marquis Lucas OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Paul Millard QB	Flower Mound, TX	Flower Mound	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.75	Jan 10, 2011
Paul Millard QB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74
Kenneth Myers WR	Jacksonville, FL	First Coast	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.55	Oct 9, 2010
Kenneth Myers WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77
Shaquille Petteway LB	Steubenville, OH	Steubenville	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.5	Oct 9, 2010
Shaquille Petteway LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Vance Roberts DB	Washington, DC	Dunbar	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.56	Jul 1, 2010
Vance Roberts DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Vernard Roberts RB	Washington, DC	Dunbar	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.6	Jul 1, 2010
Vernard Roberts RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75
Kyle Rose DE	Centerville, OH	Centerville	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.8	Jul 6, 2010
Kyle Rose DE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77
Shaq Rowell DT	Council Bluffs, IA	Iowa Western CC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	308 lb (140 kg)	5.4	Dec 27, 2010
Shaq Rowell DT	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: –
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 53 Rivals: 46
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "West Virginia 2011 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011. "2011 West Virginia Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011. "2011 Player Commitments – West Virginia". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011. "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011.

Spring Game

The 2011 Gold-Blue Spring Game took place on Friday, April 29, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Mountaineer Field. Over 22,000 fans attended to see the Gold team defeat the Blue team 83–17. The game was televised statewide on West Virginia Media stations.

Polls

The Mountaineers were picked to win the Big East Conference by the media at conference media day, picking up 21 out of 24 first place votes.

Coaching staff

2011 Coaching Staff

Head coach

Head coach/offensive coordinator – Dana Holgorsen

Offensive coaches

Quarterbacks – Jake Spavital
Running backs – Robert Gillespie
Inside receivers – Shannon Dawson
Wide receivers/special teams – Daron Roberts
Offensive line – Bill Bedenbaugh

Defensive coaches

Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Jeff Casteel
Defensive line – Bill Kirelawich
Defensive backs – David Lockwood
Safeties – Steve Dunlap

Strength and conditioning

Strength and conditioning – Mike Joseph
Assistant strength coach – Mark Smith
Assistant strength coach – Kevin McCadam

Roster

2011 West Virginia Mountaineers

Quarterbacks

14 Paul Millard – freshman
12 Geno Smith – junior

Running backs

20 Shawne Alston – junior
32 Ryan Clarke – RS junior
34 Daquan Hargrett – RS sophomore
21 Trey Johnson – sophomore
41 Ricky Kovatch – senior
38 Matt Lindamood – RS junior
40 Nate Majnaric – RS freshman
30 Pete Miller – RS junior
28 Eric Rollman – RS sophomore
14 Chris Snook – RS Sophomore

Wide receivers

1 Tavon Austin – junior
3 Stedman Bailey – RS sophomore
23 Dustin Brown – RS freshman
83 Jack Crossin – RS sophomore
84 Andrew Goldbaugh – RS junior
5 Ivan McCartney – sophomore
83 Willie Milhouse – RS senior
80 Ryan Nehlen – RS junior
91 Soraya Alsien-Ogbebar – RS senior
86 Reggie Rembert – RS junior
11 Lamar Jones – freshman
33 Thomas Sims – RS freshman
2 Brad Starks – RS senior
89 Tyler Urban – senior
15 Coley White – RS junior
81 J.D. Woods – RS junior

Offensive Lineman

70 Blaise Arbogast – RS sophomore
64 Don Barclay – RS senior
60 John Bassler – RS junior
72 Cole Bowers – RS sophomore
57 Jeff Braun -RS Junior
70 Mike Calicchio – RS freshman
76 Pat Eger – RS sophomore
77 Josh Jenkins – senior
79 Nick Kindler – RS sophomore
74 Joe Madsen – RS junior
55 Tyler Rader – RS senior
65 Chad Snodgrass – RS senior
67 Quinton Spain – RS freshman

Defensive line

95 Curtis Feight – RS sophomore
78 C.J. Huffman – RS senior
97 Julian Miller – RS senior
62 Donovan Pearson – RS junior
76 Ted Rietschlin – RS freshman
94 Josh Taylor – RS senior
99 Jorge Wright – RS junior

Defensive end

98 Will Clarke – RS sophomore
87 Trevor Demko – RS freshman
11 Bruce Irvin – senior
91 J.B. Lageman – RS junior

Linebackers

53 Tyler Anderson – RS sophomore
33 Jared Barber – freshman
54 Hunter Bittner – RS junior
32 Steve Bohon – RS freshman
51 Josh Contraguerro – RS junior
30 Josh Francis – junior
49 Troy Gloster – RS freshman
52 Najee Goode – RS senior
42 Donovan Miles – RS junior
50 Taige Redman – RS sophomore
47 Doug Rigg – sophomore
13 Jewone Snow – RS freshman
43 Casey Vance – RS senior

Defensive backs

20 Ishmael Banks – RS freshman
26 Travis Bell – sophomore
18 Brantwon Bowser – RS senior
39 Nick Cadwell – RS junior
25 Darwin Cook – RS sophomore
33 Michael Dorsey – sophomore
3 Qudral Forte – RS freshman
28 Terence Garvin – junior
17 Lucas Henn – RS freshman
23 Brodrick Jenkins – RS sophomore
14 Cecil Level – RS junior
6 Pat Miller – junior
22 Vance Roberts – freshman
35 Lawrence Smith – RS junior
24 Eain Smith – RS senior
8 Keith Tandy – RS senior
16 Wes Tonkery – RS freshman
15 Anthony Vecchio – RS freshman
4 Avery Williams – freshman

Special teams

40 Tyler Bitancurt – RS Junior (K)
69 Jerry Cooper – RS freshman (LS)
46 Trent Lusk – RS junior (LS)
41 Michael Molinari – RS freshman (K)
87 Cody Nutter – RS senior (LS)
44 Corey Smith – RS junior (P)

Key

– Currently Injured
– Current redshirt
I* – Ineligible

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	3:30 p.m.	Marshall*	No. 19	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Friends of Coal Bowl)	ESPN	W 34–13	60,758
September 10	1:00 p.m.	Norfolk State*	No. 19	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	Big East Network	W 55–12	51,911
September 17	Noon	at Maryland*	No. 18	Byrd Stadium College Park, MD (rivalry)	ESPNU	W 37–31	53,627
September 24	8:00 p.m.	No. 2 LSU*	No. 16	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Gold Rush) (College GameDay)	ABC	L 21–47	62,056
October 1	3:30 p.m.	Bowling Green*	No. 22	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	ESPN+	W 55–10	46,603
October 8	Noon	Connecticut	No. 16	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	Big East Network	W 43–16	56,179
October 21	8:00 p.m.	at Syracuse	No. 15	Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY (rivalry)	ESPN	L 23–49	45,265
October 29	3:30 p.m.	at Rutgers	No. 25	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	ABC	W 41–31	47,303
November 5	Noon	Louisville	No. 24	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	Big East Network	L 35–38	57,287
November 12	Noon	at No. 23 Cincinnati		Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, OH	ABC/ESPN3	W 24–21	48,152
November 25	7:00 p.m.	Pittsburgh		Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Backyard Brawl)	ESPN	W 21–20	60,932
December 1	8:00 p.m.	at South Florida	No. 23	Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL	ESPN	W 30–27	41,743
January 4, 2012	8:30 p.m.	vs. No. 15 Clemson*	No. 23	Sun Life Stadium Miami Gardens, FL (Orange Bowl) (College GameDay)	ESPN	W 70–33	67,563
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and BCS Standings after October 16 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Marshall

	1	2	3	4	Total
Thundering Herd	7	3	3	0	13
• #19 Mountaineers	3	17	7	7	34

Date: September 4, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: 3:30 pm EDT
Game attendance: 60,758
TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore & Rod Gilmore

Further information: Friends of Coal Bowl See also: 2011 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 10–0

Recap: WVU picked up the win in a game that was delayed a total of 4 hours, 22 minutes and called with 14:36 left in the 4th quarter. Following a 3rd quarter Tavon Austin kickoff return for a touchdown that gave the Mountaineers a 27–13 lead with five minutes to play in the third quarter, the game experienced a lightning delay that lasted 3 hours, 6 minutes. Once resuming play a Vernard Roberts one-yard touchdown run extended the WVU lead to 34–13 early in the fourth quarter, after which the game was once again delayed for lightning. It was ultimately agreed to by both teams to end the game. Geno Smith lead the game for WVU going 26–35 for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

Norfolk State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	3	9	0	0	12
• #19 Mountaineers	0	10	28	17	55

Date: September 10, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: 1:00 pm EDT
Game attendance: 51,911
TV announcers (ESPN+): Rob King & John Thornton

Series Lead: First meeting.

Recap: The Mountaineers overcame a sluggish first half exploding for 45 second half points and ending the game with 533 yards of total offense. Geno Smith went 20–34 for 371 yards and 4 TDs passing. As a team WVU passed for 431 yards, the most since 1998.

Maryland

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #18 Mountaineers	14	13	7	3	37
Terrapins	3	7	13	8	31

Date: September 17, 2011
Location: Byrd Stadium
College Park, MD
Game start: Noon EDT
Elapsed time: 3:28
Game attendance: 53,627
Game weather: Cloudy
Referee: Dennis Hennigan
TV announcers (ESPNU): Rob Stone & Danny Kanell

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 25–21–2

Recap: The Mountaineers got off to a fast start, building a 27–10 halftime lead behind the arm of junior quarterback Geno Smith and rushing touchdowns from freshmen Vernard Roberts and Andrew Buie. The lead was built to 24, 34–10, in the third quarter on a Smith connection to high school teammate Stedman Bailey. Maryland scored 21 unanswered points to bring the game to within 3 points, 34–31, before the Mountaineers added another field goal to build their lead to 6, 37–31. The Terrapins drove down the field in an attempt to take the lead, but quarterback Danny O'Brien was intercepted by Eain Smith with 1:13 remaining in the game to seal it for the Mountaineers.

LSU

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #2 Tigers	13	14	7	13	47
#16 Mountaineers	0	7	14	0	21

Date: September 24, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: 8:00 pm EDT
Game attendance: 62,056
TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger & Kirk Herbstreit

Bowling Green

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	10	0	0	0	10
• #22 Mountaineers	17	21	10	7	55

Date: October 1, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: 3:30 pm EDT
Game attendance: 46,603
TV announcers (ESPN+): Rob King & John Thornton

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 2–0

Recap: West Virginia put together its most complete game of the season as the running game that had struggled in past weeks exploded to the tune of 360. True freshman Dustin Garrison set a school record for most rushing yards by a freshman with 291, good enough for a tie for the second most total in school history. WVU's 643 yards of total offense were a Mountaineer Field record.

Connecticut

	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	3	6	0	7	16
• #16 Mountaineers	3	7	23	10	43

Date: October 8, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: Noon EDT
Game attendance: 56,179
Television network: ESPN+

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 6–1

Recap:

Syracuse

	1	2	3	4	Total
#11 Mountaineers	3	6	7	7	23
• Orange	7	14	14	14	49

Date: October 21, 2011
Location: Carrier Dome
Syracuse, NY
Game start: 8:00 pm EDT
Game attendance: 45,265
Television network: ESPN

Series Lead: Syracuse leads 31–27

Recap:

Rutgers

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #25 Mountaineers	14	7	7	13	41
Scarlet Knights	17	14	0	0	31

Date: October 29, 2011
Location: High Point Solutions Stadium
Piscataway, NJ
Game start: 3:30 pm EDT
Game attendance: 47,303
Game weather: Snow
Television network: ABC

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 33–4–2

Recap: Geno Smith threw two second-half touchdowns to help West Virginia (6–2, 2–1 Big East) post its 17th straight win over Rutgers. WVU trailed 31–21 at the halftime, fighting both the Scarlet Knights offense, and harsh weather conditions. The Mountaineer defense allowed a season-high 31 points in the first half, but shutout Rutgers in the second. The Mountaineers won their first conference road game of the season, and became bowl-eligible in the process. Smith finished 20–33 for 218 yards, and two touchdowns, while Shawne Alston ran for a career-high 110 yards and two scores on 14 carries

Louisville

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Cardinals	14	7	3	14	38
#24 Mountaineers	7	14	0	14	35

Date: November 5, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: Noon EDT
Game attendance: 57,287
Television network: ESPN+

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 10–2

Recap:

Cincinnati

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Mountaineers	7	10	0	7	24
#23 Bearcats	7	0	7	7	21

Date: November 12, 2011
Location: Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, OH
Game start: Noon EST
Game attendance: 48,152
Television network: ABC/ESPN3

Series Lead: West Virginia leads 15–3–1

Recap:West Virginia blocked a game-tying field goal attempt as time expired to secure the win over the #23 ranked Bearcats, WVU's first road win over a team ranked in the AP Top 25 since their last win in Cincinnati during the 2007 season.

Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	14	3	3	0	20
• Mountaineers	0	7	7	7	21

Date: November 25, 2011
Location: Mountaineer Field
Morgantown, WV
Game start: 7:00 pm EST
Game attendance: 60,932
Television network: ESPN

Scoring summary

1	9:05	PITT	Zach Brown 1-yard run (Kevin Harper kick)	PITT 7-0

1	2:14	PITT	Isaac Bennett 6-yard run (Kevin Harper kick)	PITT 14-0

2	7:31	WVU	Steadman Bailey 63-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	PITT 14-7

2	2:53	PITT	Kevin Harper 30-yard field goal	PITT 17-7

3	11:29	PITT	Kevin Harper 27-yard field goal	PITT 20-7

3	8:59	WVU	Shawne Alston 8-yard run (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	PITT 20-14

4	6:10	WVU	Shawne Alston 1-yard run (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 21-20

Series Lead: Pitt leads 61–40–3

Recap:

South Florida

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #22 Mountaineers	0	13	7	10	30
Bulls	0	7	6	14	27

Date: December 1, 2011
Location: Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL
Game start: 8:00 pm EST
Game attendance: 41,743
Television network: ESPN

Series Lead: Series even at 3–3

Recap:

Orange Bowl

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #23 Mountaineers	14	35	14	7	70
#14 Tigers	17	3	6	7	33

Date: January 4
Location: Sun Life Stadium
Miami Gardens, FL
Game start: 8:30 pm EST
Game attendance: 67,563
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski and Lisa Salters

Scoring summary

1	9:33	CLEM	Andre Ellington 68-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick)	CLEM 7-0

1	6:54	WVU	Shawne Alston 4-yard run (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	Tied 7-7

1	4:38	CLEM	Sammy Watkins 27-yard pass from Tajh Boyd (Chandler Catanzaro kick)	CLEM 14-7

1	2:49	WVU	Tavon Austin 8-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	Tied 14-14

1	0:45	CLEM	Chandler Catanzaro 42-yard field goal	CLEM 17-14

2	13:25	WVU	Tavon Austin 27-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 21-17

2	10:28	WVU	Darwin Cook 99-yard fumble return (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 28-17

2	4:49	CLEM	Chandler Catanzaro 43-yard field goal	WVU 28-20

2	2:29	WVU	Geno Smith 7-yard run (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 35-20

2	1:13	WVU	Tavon Austin 3-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 42-20

2	0:04	WVU	Shawne Alston 1-yard run (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 49-20

3	12:35	WVU	Stedman Bailey 6-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 56-20

3	9:18	WVU	Tavon Austin 37-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 63-20

3	1:37	CLEM	DeAndre Hopkins 28-yard pass from Tajh Boyd (pass failed)	WVU 63-26

4	6:21	WVU	Willie Milhouse 7-yard pass from Geno Smith (Tyler Bitancourt kick)	WVU 70-26

4	1:01	CLEM	Roderick McDowell 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick)	WVU 70-33

Main article: 2012 Orange Bowl See also: 2011 Clemson Tigers football team

Series Lead: Series tied 1–1

Recap: Geno Smith tied a record for any bowl game with six touchdown passes, including four to Tavon Austin, and No. 23 West Virginia set a bowl scoring record by beating No. 14 Clemson 70–33 on Wednesday in the Orange Bowl. Darwin Cook's 99-yard fumble return for a touchdown was one of the Mountaineers' five TDs in the second quarter, including three in the final 2:29 for a 49–20 lead. It was the highest-scoring half by a team in a bowl game. Austin's four TD receptions tied a record for any bowl game, and Smith broke Tom Brady's Orange Bowl record with 407 yards passing. West Virginia's point total broke the bowl record established six nights earlier when Baylor beat Washington 67–56 in the Alamo Bowl.

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	24	19	18	16	22	16	13	11	25	24	RV	RV	RV	22	23	17
Coaches	RV	24	20	16	23	19	16	14	24	21	RV	23	23	20	22	18
Harris	Not released						16	14	23	22	RV	22	24	21	22	Not released
BCS	Not released							15	25	24	—	—	—	23	23	Not released

References

Dunlap, Colin (December 14, 2010). "Holgorsen to Become WVU Head Coach in 2012". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
"WVU Hires 3 Offensive Assistants". USA Today. January 5, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
Bennett, Brian (March 10, 2011). "West Virginia Loses Receivers Coach". ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
"Roberts Joins Grid Staff". West Virginia University Department of Athletics. March 28, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Cullen, Garrett (June 10, 2011). "A New Era". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Adelson, Andrea (June 10, 2011). "Comments from Luck, Holgorsen". ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Vingle, Mitch (July 8, 2011). "Holgorsen Names Recruiting Coordinator". The Charleston Gazette. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Adelson, Andrea (August 2, 2011). "West Virginia Picked as Preseason Favorite". ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
^ "No. 24 W. Virginia Gets Best of Marshall in Storm-Shortened Opener". ESPN. September 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
"West Virginia Wakes Up in Second Half to Win Easily". ESPN. September 10, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
"Geno Smith Throws for 388 Yards as West Virginia Survives Maryland". ESPN. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
"LSU Tigers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Box Score". ESPN. September 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
"Dustin Garrison Boosts West Virginia Past Bowling Green". ESPN. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
"Connecticut Huskies vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Box Score". ESPN. October 8, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
^ "West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Syracuse Orange Box Score". ESPN. October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
"West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Box Score". ESPN. October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
"Louisville Cardinals vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Box Score". ESPN. November 5, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
"West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Box Score". ESPN. November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
"Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Box Score". ESPN. November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
"West Virginia Mountaineers vs. South Florida Bulls Box Score". ESPN. December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
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Antonik, John (September 4, 2011). "West Virginia 34, Marshall 13". West Virginia University Department of Athletics. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
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Adelson, Andrea (September 18, 2011). "'College GameDay' Headed to WVU-LSU". ESPN. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
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v t e West Virginia Mountaineers football
Venues	Mountaineer Field (1924–1979) Milan Puskar Stadium (1980–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Cincinnati Marshall: Friends of Coal Bowl Maryland Old Ironsides Penn State Pittsburgh: Backyard Brawl Syracuse Virginia Tech
Culture & lore	The Mountaineer Marching band "Take Me Home, Country Roads" 2007 Backyard Brawl
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

v t e Big East Conference football champions
West Virginia (1993) Miami (FL) (1994) Miami (FL) & Virginia Tech (1995) Miami (FL) & Syracuse & Virginia Tech (1996) Syracuse (1997) Syracuse (1998) Virginia Tech (1999) Miami (FL) (2000) Miami (FL) (2001) Miami (FL) (2002) Miami (FL) & West Virginia (2003) Boston College & Pittsburgh & Syracuse & West Virginia (2004) West Virginia (2005) Louisville (2006) Connecticut & West Virginia (2007) Cincinnati (2008) Cincinnati (2009) Connecticut & Pittsburgh & West Virginia (2010) Cincinnati & Louisville & West Virginia (2011) Cincinnati & Louisville & Rutgers & Syracuse (2012)
National championships in bold

Big East Conference football champions

West Virginia (1993)
Miami (FL) (1994)
Miami (FL) & Virginia Tech (1995)
Miami (FL) & Syracuse & Virginia Tech (1996)
Syracuse (1997)
Syracuse (1998)
Virginia Tech (1999)
Miami (FL) (2000)
Miami (FL) (2001)
Miami (FL) (2002)
Miami (FL) & West Virginia (2003)
Boston College & Pittsburgh & Syracuse & West Virginia (2004)
West Virginia (2005)
Louisville (2006)
Connecticut & West Virginia (2007)
Cincinnati (2008)
Cincinnati (2009)
Connecticut & Pittsburgh & West Virginia (2010)
Cincinnati & Louisville & West Virginia (2011)
Cincinnati & Louisville & Rutgers & Syracuse (2012)

National championships in bold

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