Morgantown Magic

By Heath Bloxton
The West Virginia Mountaineers stunned the Louisville Cardinals Saturday, October 15, by defeating the Cardinals in three overtimes 46-44.

With a sold-out crowd in Morgantown, the Mountaineers had hoped to get off to a quick start. However, it was Louisville who caught fire and took a 17-0 lead into halftime.

The Mountaineers got on the board on their first drive of the second half, as Steve Slaton ran the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Mountaineers down by 10. The Cardinals quickly answered as running back Michael Bush ran the ball in for another Louisville touchdown making the score 24-7.

Disappointed and upset Mountaineer fans began heading for the exits as all hope seemed to be lost. However, these fans would miss one of the biggest comebacks in West Virginia history.

The Mountaineers turned to freshman quarterback Pat White to lead them down the field. White rose to the occasion and converted a fourth and 10 play and moved the ball into scoring position. It was Steve Slaton again who ran into the end zone again to trim the Louisville lead to 10, 24-14.

West Virginia knew that with little time left, they had to kick an onside kick. Freshman kicker Pat McAfee "pooched" the ball into the air and the Mountaineers came up with the football.

West Virginia drove again, but the drive was stalled on a penalty and the Mountaineers had to settle for a field goal making the score 24-17.

The Mountaineer defense stopped Louisville on three straight plays and forced the Cardinals to punt the ball with less than three minutes to go of the game.

West Virginia once again took the ball inside Louisville territory, but faced a fourth-and-one dilemma. The Mountaineers turned to Pat White to bail them out and Pat again converted the fourth-down try. Seconds later, Steve Slaton scored from the one-yard line and the Mountaineers tied the football game, sending it into overtime.

The Cardinals and Mountaineers exchanged touchdowns in the first two overtimes. West Virginia took the ball first in the third overtime. Steve Slaton scored his sixth touchdown of the game giving West Virginia a 44-38 lead. The Mountaineers lined up for the two-point conversion try (required in 3 overtimes). Pat White rolled out of the pocket and fired the ball into the hands of receiver Dorell Jalloh giving West Virginia a 46-38 lead. Louisville had to score a touchdown and convert the two-point try.

Louisville answered with a touchdown by Michael Bush and lined up to go for two. Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm took the ball and began running up the middle. Mountaineer safety Eric Wicks nailed Brohm just short of the end zone giving the Mountaineers a 46-44 victory.

West Virginia fans celebrated by singing "Country Roads" as Louisville fans sat in amazement.