Published: December 05, 2008 10:29 am      

White, WVU seniors focus of whiteout

BLUEFIELD — Pat White will leave a legacy of excellence at West Virginia. The memories can wait. White still has two more games left to play for the Mountaineers, starting Saturday against South Florida in his final regular season home game.

“Nothing has hit me in a long time. It’s starting to settle in and I’m just going to enjoy what I can,” said White, a senior from Daphne, Ala. “It’s more sweet than bitter. I’ve enjoyed everything about West Virginia.

“It’s gone a lot faster than what I thought. The days haven’t been shorter but time has flown by. People say that, but you don’t realize it until you experience it.”

All White has done at West Virginia is lead the Mountaineers to three straight 11-win seasons before this year’s 7-4 mark, along with two Big East titles and three straight bowls wins. In addition, White holds 16 school, conference and NCAA records, including most rushing yards by a quarterback (4,385) and most Big East touchdowns at 99.

With those type of numbers and much more, it’s no wonder a whiteout will be observed at Milan-Puskar Stadium on Saturday when South Florida (7-4) plays the Mountaineers (7-4) in an 8 p.m. contest that will be televised by ESPN2.

West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart said the Mountaineers would wear all white uniforms, not just as a salute to White, but to the entire 19 members of what has been probably been the school’s most successful senior class.

“This senior class has done much more than any other senior class and we just happened to be led by a guy named White,” Stewart said. “Pat White, No. 5, the greatest winner in college football, who would not be one iota without 18 brothers who have helped him along the journey.

“Those 19 seniors are why we’re having a whiteout. Pat White isn’t the reason we’re having the white out. It’s Pat White who is at the head of the class and the entire pyramid that has helped Pat White become what he has become.”

Never one to accept praise easily or talk much about his own accomplishments, White would certainly like to leave Morgantown with one last thrill, and also help West Virginia snap a two-game losing skid against the Bulls.

“They are a very talented team. They have athletes all over the field and 99 percent of the team is from Florida so they run around fast,” White said.

“They’ve had the upper hand the last two years but it’s a competitive game.

“Both teams are hard-working and would like to come out with a win.”

Few schools wanted to give White a chance to be a college quarterback out of Alabama, but former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believed in him. White has accomplished much on the field, but his main goal is walking the stage to get his college diploma.

“I knew I wanted to be successful somehow, but getting that degree has been the best success I’ve had since I’ve been here,” White said. “That’s why my parents sent me here. If I leave here without that, than it’s a failed mission.”

Failure isn’t something White knows much about. Neither do the other seniors, including linebacker Mortty Ivy, center Mike Dent, wide receiver Dorrell Jalloh and long snapper and Princeton product Adam Hughes.

However finding his words on Friday when the Mountaineers gather at a hotel before Saturday’s game, might be a tough speech to make.

“I don’t think I’ll be doing too much talking on Friday,” he said. “There will probably be a lot more tears than words.”

While White might get the most attention on Saturday in front of what will be a sell-out crowd and a nationally televised audience, Stewart said the other seniors understand why White’s departure might overshadow the rest.

“Our senior class would not want it any other way,” Stewart said. “This is not a one-man show, this is not a one-man outfit, it is not a one-man story.

“This is a story about 18 brothers who are lifting up a 19th who happens to have the last name, White. Our senior class absolutely loves No. 5, and this is for all of them.”

White will leave many memories behind when his time is done at Morgantown, but he certainly won’t forget any of it.

“I’m going to miss my friends, some from on the field and some from off the field,” White said. “The people I’ve met I will always remember and I’m grateful for them.

“Morgantown is a second home. I’ve spent four and a half years here.”

—Contact Brian Woodson at bwoodson@bdtonline.com