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1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

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1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football
Fiesta Bowl, L 21–34 vs. Notre Dame
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 5
APNo. 5
Record11–1
Head coach
Offensive schemeOption
Home stadiumMountaineer Field
Seasons
← 1987
1989 →
1988 Major eastern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 5 West Virginia $5–0–011–1–0
No. 13 Syracuse5–1–010–2–0
Pittsburgh3–3–06–5–0
Temple2–3–04–7–0
Rutgers2–4–05–6–0
Penn State2–4–05–6–0
Boston College1–5–03–8–0
Rankings from AP Poll
1988 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Notre Dame – – 12–0–0
No. 2 Miami (FL) – – 11–1–0
No. 3 Florida State – – 11–1–0
No. 5 West Virginia – – 11–1–0
Southern Miss – – 10–2–0
No. 13 Syracuse – – 10–2–0
Army – – 9–3–0
Louisville – – 8–3–0
South Carolina – – 8–4–0
Northern Illinois – – 7–4–0
Pittsburgh – – 6–5–0
Memphis State – – 6–5–0
Southwestern Louisiana – – 6–5–0
Rutgers – – 5–6–0
Akron – – 5–6–0
Penn State – – 5–6–0
Tulane – – 5–6–0
Temple – – 4–7–0
Tulsa – – 4–7–0
Boston College – – 3–8–0
Cincinnati – – 3–8–0
East Carolina – – 3–8–0
Navy – – 3–8–0
Virginia Tech – – 3–8–0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University as an independent during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Don Nehlen, the Mountaineers compiled a record of 11–1 with a loss to Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, which decided the national championship. West Virginia played home games at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 31:00 p.m.Bowling GreenNo. 16
W 62–1453,515[1]
September 101:00 p.m.Cal State FullertonNo. 12
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
W 45–1054,169[2][3]
September 1712:00 p.m.MarylandNo. 12
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV (rivalry)
JPT[4]W 55–2460,188[5]
September 2412:00 p.m.at No. 16 PittsburghNo. 11
JPT[4]W 31–1055,978[6]
October 11:00 p.m.at Virginia TechNo. 7
W 22–1050,231[7]
October 82:00 p.m.at East CarolinaNo. 7
W 30–1033,786[8]
October 221:00 p.m.Boston CollegedaggerNo. 6
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
W 59–1963,145[9]
October 292:30 p.m.Penn StateNo. 7
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV (rivalry)
CBSW 51–3066,811[10]
November 51:30 p.m.at CincinnatiNo. 4
W 51–1321,511[11]
November 121:00 p.m.at RutgersNo. 4
W 35–2532,517[12]
November 196:00 p.m.No. 14 SyracuseNo. 4
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV (rivalry)
ESPN[13]W 31–965,127[14]
January 25:00 p.m.vs. No. 1 Notre DameNo. 3
NBCL 21–3474,911[15]
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • Source: [16]

Rankings

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP1616121211776674 (2)4 (1)44 (2)3 (2)3 (3)5
CoachesRVRV131110665564 (2)4 (2)4 (2)4 (2)3 (4)3 (3)5

Season summary

[edit]

The 1987 season was the beginning of Major Harris as the starting quarterback for West Virginia. Only a redshirt-freshman, Harris led the Mountaineers to a Sun Bowl berth, after a 1–3 start.

The '88 season opened with coach Don Nehlen's alma mater, Bowling Green. The win marked the beginning of the run, winning 62–14. West Virginia beat their next opponent, Cal-Fullerton, 45–10. West Virginia's first challenge was against the Maryland Terrapins. West Virginia got behind the Terps 14–0, but pulled away at halftime, winning 55–24.

West Virginia's next game was at the Pittsburgh Panthers. The game was a defensive struggle, until running back A.B. Brown, a Pitt transfer, ran a draw for 64-yards and the score. Scoring 14-points in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers broke away. In the 1988 Backyard Brawl, West Virginia was installed as a one-point underdog by the odds makers. The Mountaineers rolled to a 31–10 victory over Pitt on the way to their first undefeated, untied regular season in school history. West Virginia then traveled to rival Virginia Tech, and won 22–10, even though they produced four fumbles in the game. The next two games, a win at East Carolina, and a 59-point win at Boston College, gave West Virginia a 7–0 record.

Next, the late October matchup vs Penn State at Mountaineer Field is widely regarded as one of the greatest games in Mountaineer football history. Before a nationwide CBS audience, the Mountaineers were up 34–8 before the half. On a draw play, runningback Undra Johnson ran 55 yards for the touchdown to end the half. The game also included a touchdown run by Major Harris, which is remembered in West Virginia lore as "The Run".

The next game was at the Cincinnati Bearcats, where the Mountaineers started slow in the first half. Receiver Reggie Rembert scored three times, and the Mountaineers won by scoring 24 points in the third quarter. The Mountaineers traveled to Giants Stadium to play Rutgers, who had beat Penn St., Boston College, and Michigan State. The Mountaineers played poor, but came out with the win.

The final regular season game of the season was at home, against the Syracuse Orangemen. The Orangemen were 8–2, while the Mountaineers were 10–0. The highlight of the game was a 49-yard interception by Willie Edwards that was taken for a touchdown. The Mountaineers won 31–9, and took a famous lap around the stadium to entertain the 65,000 fans in Morgantown.

National championship

[edit]

West Virginia traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to play the only other undefeated team in the NCAA, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Free-safety Darrell Whitmore was out for the Mountaineers, but Nehlen moved star Bo Orlando from strong safety to free to fill the hole. Nehlen recalled the move as "our first mistake...". "Another mistake I made is that I let the media overrun us."

West Virginia's offense was doomed from the third play of the game. Major Harris separated his shoulder on the third play when he was slammed to the ground by Irish Linebacker Michael Stonebreaker. He couldn't throw well for the rest of the game. The WVU coaches also abandoned their plans to run a lot of option football out of fear of further injuring Harris. Linemen John Stroia and Bob Kovach were injured for the Mountaineers in that game as well. NG Jim Gray would also suffer an early injury in the game. Notre Dame completely dominated the game. West Virginia only made one serious threat. Willie Edwards picked off a Tony Rice pass in the 3rd quarter. ND led by 13 points at the time. A Harris incompletion and two ND sacks took WVU out of field goal range, and the threat was over. ND opened up a 21-point lead before a late WVU touchdown made the score respectable. WVU lost 34–21, it was their first loss of the season for the national championship.

Game summaries

[edit]

Vs. Bowling Green

[edit]
Bowling Green Falcons at No. 16 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 7 0714
No. 16 Mountaineers 24 17 71462

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: September 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: 9 MPH
  • Game attendance: 53,515
  • Source:
Game information

First quarter

  • 13:45 WVU TD - Willie Edwards 0-yard fumble return (Baumann PAT)
  • 10:00 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 41-yard field goal
  • 6:09 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B" Brown 4-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 1:32 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 9-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Second quarter

  • 13:40 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 6-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:49 WVU TD - Major Harris 5-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 2:35 BGSU TD - Mike McGee 1-yard run (Zeller PAT)
  • 1:26 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 47-yard field goal

Third quarter

  • 6:41 WVU TD - Eugene Napoleon 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Fourth quarter

  • 13:03 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 6-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 7:32 WVU TD - Barry Browning 2-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 0:06 BGSU TD - Mike McGee 1-yard run (Zeller PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 6/9, 90 yards, TD
  • BGSU – Jett Duffey: 11/33, 128 yards, INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 7 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
  • BGSU – Mike McGee: 16 carries, 56 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
  • WVU – Reggie Rembert: 4 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
  • BGSU – Ken Rankin: 3 receptions, 46 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaBowling Green
First downs2521
Total yards541267
Rushing yards36761
Passing yards174206
Turnovers12
Time of possession29:4130:19

Vs. Cal State Fullerton

[edit]
Cal State Fullerton Titans at No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 0 01010
No. 12 Mountaineers 3 21 14745

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: September 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 54,196
  • Source:
Game information

First quarter

  • 5:52 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 28-yard field goal

Second quarter

  • 11:33 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B" Brown 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 8:44 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 3:38 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B" Brown 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Third quarter

  • 3:18 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 1:49 WVU TD - Calvin Phillips 37-yard pass from Greg Jones (Baumann PAT)

Fourth quarter

  • 9:58 CSUF FG - Stan Lambert 29-yard field goal
  • 6:16 WVU TD - Tim Williams 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 0:51 CSUF TD - John Gibbs 12-yard pass from Carlos Siragusa (Lambert PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 7/11, 166 yards, INT
  • CSUF – Dan Speltz: 5/12, 44 yards, TD
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 24 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD
  • CSUF – Mike Pringle: 19 carries, 100 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Calvin Phillips: 5 receptions, 190 yards, TD
  • CSUF – Rocky Palamara: 2 receptions, 28 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaCal State Fullerton
First downs239
Total yards514175
Rushing yards226119
Passing yards18856
Turnovers22
Time of possession30:4529:15

Vs. Maryland

[edit]
Maryland Terrapins at No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Terrapins 14 7 3024
No. 12 Mountaineers 7 17 102155

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: Noon
  • Game weather: Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Light rain and fog • Wind: 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 60,188
  • TV announcers (JP Sports): Steve Martin (play-by-play), Bob Casciola (color commentator)
  • Source:
Game information

First quarter

  • 14:04 UM TD - Mike Beasley 11-yard run (Plocki PAT)
  • 10:58 UM TD - Mike Beasley 74-yard run (Plocki PAT)
  • 3:35 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 4-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Second quarter

  • 13:46 WVU TD - Keith Winn 20-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 9:51 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 39-yard field goal
  • 0:49 UM TD - Neil O'Donnell 7-yard run (Plocki PAT)
  • 0:08 WVU TD - Major Harris 3-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Third quarter

  • 12:38 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 41-yard field goal
  • 7:57 UM FG - Dan Plocki 45-yard field goal
  • 2:37 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B." Brown 5-yard run (Baumann PAT)

Fourth quarter

  • 14:40 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 9:42 WVU TD - Bo Orlando 58-yard interception return (Baumann PAT)
  • 1:19 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 5-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 6/11, 150 yards, TD, INT
  • UM – Neil O'Donnell: 4/13, 71 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 17 carries, 89 yards, TD
  • UM – Mike Beasley: 7 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
  • WVU – Jamie LeMon: 3 receptions, 65 yards
  • UM – Ricky Johnson: 3 receptions, 16 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaMaryland
First downs2814
Total yards540287
Rushing yards347188
Passing yards19399
Turnovers34
Time of possession31:3628:24

At Pittsburgh

[edit]
No. 11 West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 16 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11 Mountaineers 10 0 71431
No. 16 Panthers 0 7 3010

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: Noon
  • Game weather: Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: 10-15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 55,978
  • TV announcers (JP Sports): Steve Martin (play-by-play), Bob Casciola (color commentator)
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 5:20 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 33-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 2:49 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 31-yard field goal
Second quarter
  • 8:31 PITT TD - Henry Tuten 23-yard pass from Darnell Dickerson (Kaplan PAT)
Third quarter
  • 10:23 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B." Brown 64-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 5:04 PITT FG - Scott Kaplan 34-yard field goal
Fourth quarter
  • 14:06 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 20-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 2:41 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 5/12, 61 yards, TD, INT
  • PITT – Darnell Dickerson: 12/25, 150 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 17 carries, 110 yards, TD
  • PITT – Adam Walker: 17 carries, 39 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Reggie Rembert: 2 receptions, 45 yards, TD
  • PITT – Henry Tuten: 7 receptions, 103 yards, TD

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaPittsburgh
First downs1916
Total yards322257
Rushing yards26181
Passing yards61176
Turnovers13
Time of possession27:0332:57

At Virginia Tech

[edit]
No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers at Virginia Tech Hokies – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Mountaineers 9 3 3722
Hokies 0 3 7010

at Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny, clear • Wind: 5 MPH SW
  • Game attendance: 50,231
  • Referee: C.C. Dailey
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 9:49 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 8-yard run (Baumann failed)
  • 3:00 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 19-yard field goal
Second quarter
  • 14:20 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 37-yard field goal
  • 7:05 VT FG - Chris Kinzer 28-yard field goal
Third quarter
  • 11:09 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 29-yard field goal
  • 2:29 VT TD - Jock Jones 0-yard fumble return (Kinzer PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 10:11 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B." Brown 5-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 12/21, 205 yards, 2 INT
  • VT – Will Furrer: 5/21, 39 yards, INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 23 carries, 191 yards, TD
  • VT – Ralph Brown: 19 carries, 73 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Jamie LeMon: 4 receptions, 51 yards
  • VT – Lamar Smith: 2 receptions, 2 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaVirginia Tech
First downs228
Total yards518194
Rushing yards313107
Passing yards20587
Turnovers61
Time of possession33:3326:27

At East Carolina

[edit]
No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers at East Carolina Pirates – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Mountaineers 10 7 6730
Pirates 0 10 0010

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Sunny and cool • Wind: 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 33,786
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 9:31 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 49-yard field goal
  • 2:38 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 5-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Second quarter
  • 13:26 WVU TD - Adrian Moss 18-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 7:00 ECU FG - Robb Imperato 22-yard field goal
  • 0:14 ECU TD - Walter Wilson 33-yard pass from Travis Hunter (Imperato PAT)
Third quarter
  • 1:46 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 26-yard run (Baumann failed)
Fourth quarter
  • 13:25 WVU TD - Major Harris 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 8/12, 126 yards, TD
  • ECU – Charlie Libretto: 8/22, 88 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Undra Johnson: 25 carries, 167 yards, 2 TD
  • ECU – Tim James: 15 carries, 50 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Adrian Moss: 5 receptions, 85 yards, TD
  • ECU – Walter Wilson: 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaEast Carolina
First downs2118
Total yards390310
Rushing yards264127
Passing yards126187
Turnovers32
Time of possession27:4932:11

Vs. Boston College

[edit]
Boston College Eagles at No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 9 3 7019
No. 6 Mountaineers 7 17 142159

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 43 °F (6 °C) • Weather: Cloudy, rainy • Wind: 15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 63,145
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 11:18 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 16-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 7:38 BC FG - Brian Lowe 36-yard field goal
  • 3:51 BC TD - Ed Toner 37-yard run (pass failed)
Second quarter
  • 9:51 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 6-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:39 BC FG - Brian Lowe 32-yard field goal
  • 2:53 WVU TD - Grantis Bell 61-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 0:08 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 28-yard field goal
Third quarter
  • 13:30 WVU TD - Major Harris 9-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:57 BC TD - Mike Sanders 14-yard run (Lowe PAT)
  • 4:09 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 14:29 WVU TD - Major Harris 13-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 7:24 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 33-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 3:07 WVU TD - Jamie LeMon 24-yard pass from Greg Jones (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 15/21, 297 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • BC – Michael Power: 12/29, 155 yards, INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Undra Johnson: 23 carries, 111 yards, TD
  • BC – Mike Sanders: 23 carries, 142 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • WVU – Calvin Phillips: 4 receptions, 83 yards
  • BC – Tom Waddle: 6 receptions, 62 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaBoston College
First downs2924
Total yards575363
Rushing yards254164
Passing yards321199
Turnovers32
Time of possession28:2331:37

Vs. Penn State

[edit]
Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Nittany Lions 0 8 61630
No. 7 Mountaineers 14 27 01051

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Sunny and pleasant • Wind: 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 66,811
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Pat Haden (color commentator) and John Dockery (sideline reporter)
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 13:17 WVU TD - Major Harris 26-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:42 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 40-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
Second quarter
  • 12:06 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 24-yard field goal
  • 9:20 WVU TD - Calvin Phillips 49-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:55 PSU TD - Sam Gash 3-yard run (Davis pass good)
  • 2:45 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 2-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 1:01 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 24-yard field goal
  • 0:03 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 55-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Third quarter
  • 4:55 PSU TD - Sam Gash 3-yard run (Sacca pass failed)
Fourth quarter
  • 13:13 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 39-yard field goal
  • 7:44 PSU TD - Lance Longeran 12-yard run (Smith pass good)
  • 2:32 WVU TD - Terry Smith 40-yard pass from Lance Longeran (Brown run good)
  • 1:31 WVU TD - Eugene Napoleon 69-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 12/20, 230 yards, 2 TD
  • PSU – Lance Longeran: 6/9, 129 yards, TD
Top rushers
  • WVU – Undra Johnson: 13 carries, 105 yards, TD
  • PSU – Gary Brown: 19 carries, 76 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Calvin Phillips: 4 receptions, 114 yards, TD
  • PSU – Terry Smith: 4 receptions, 84 yards, TD

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaPenn State
First downs2525
Total yards563393
Rushing yards322200
Passing yards241193
Turnovers03
Time of possession29:2630:34

At Cincinnati

[edit]
No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers at Cincinnati Bearcats – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Mountaineers 14 10 24351
Bearcats 6 7 0013

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C) • Weather: wet, threat of rain • Wind: 15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 21,511
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 11:34 UC FG - Phil Insalaco 36-yard field goal
  • 8:36 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 14-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:12 WVU TD - Grantis Bell 40-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 0:37 WVU FG - Phil Insalaco 25-yard field goal
Second quarter
  • 11:23 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 42-yard field goal
  • 7:33 UC TD - Leonard Cry 16-yard pass from Don Hoog (Insalaco PAT)
  • 0:42 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 68-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
Third quarter
  • 13:45 WVU TD - Anthony "A.B." Brown 41-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 6:45 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 51-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 4:45 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 35-yard field goal
  • 2:46 WVU TD - Jamie LeMon 15-yard pass from Greg Jones (Baumann PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 3:05 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 27-yard field goal
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 6/13, 180 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • UC – Don Hoog: 11/25, 96 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 15 carries, 70 yards, TD
  • UC – Al McKinney: 26 carries, 116 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Calvin Phillips: 3 receptions, 77 yards
  • UC – Roosevelt Mukes: 3 receptions, 39 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaCincinnati
First downs2320
Total yards498304
Rushing yards269205
Passing yards22999
Turnovers24
Time of possession28:0931:51

At Rutgers

[edit]
No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Mountaineers 7 14 7735
Scarlet Knights 7 3 31225

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 47 °F (8 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 32,517
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 13:56 WVU TD - Darrell Whitmore 34-yard interception return (Baumann PAT)
  • 13:43 RU TD - Ron Allen 92-yard kickoff return (Sclafani PAT)
Second quarter
  • 7:06 RU FG - Carmen Sclafani 35-yard field goal
  • 6:10 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 48-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
  • 1:31 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 2-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Third quarter
  • 9:03 RU FG - Carmen Sclafani 40-yard field goal
  • 4:40 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 13:09 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 18-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 7:33 RU TD - Michael Botti 2-yard run (Tarver run failed)
  • 0:35 RU TD - Vince Hall 3-yard pass from Tom Tarver (Tarver pass failed)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 7/14, 130 yards, TD
  • RU – Tom Tarver: 9/12, 131 yards, TD
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 22 carries, 111 yards
  • RU – Michael Botti: 23 carries, 75 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • WVU – Calvin Phillips: 2 receptions, 29 yards
  • RU – Michael Botti: 3 receptions, 18 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaRutgers
First downs2216
Total yards423284
Rushing yards29387
Passing yards130197
Turnovers14
Time of possession29:2830:32

Vs. Syracuse

[edit]
No. 14 Syracuse Orangemen at No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Orangemen 0 3 069
No. 4 Mountaineers 7 7 71031

at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Rainy • Wind: no wind
  • Game attendance: 65,127
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Denny Schreiner (play-by-play), Stan White (color commentator), John Snyder (sideline reporter)
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 8:52 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 3-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Second quarter
  • 7:56 SU FG - Kevin Greene 43-yard field goal
  • 1:07 WVU TD - Craig Taylor 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
Third quarter
  • 8:34 WVU TD - Willie Edwards 49-yard interception return (Baumann PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 10:10 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 28-yard field goal
  • 5:49 WVU TD - Undra Johnson 1-yard run (Baumann PAT)
  • 3:41 SU TD - Robert Moore 16-yard pass from Todd Philcox (Philcox pass failed)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 8/16, 114 yards
  • SU – Todd Philcox: 11/22, 121 yards, TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 19 carries, 103 yards
  • SU – Daryl Johnston: 10 carries, 79 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Keith Winn: 3 receptions, 44 yards
  • SU – Deval Glover: 4 receptions, 51 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaSyracuse
First downs2419
Total yards426316
Rushing yards312189
Passing yards114127
Turnovers16
Time of possession32:0827:52

Vs. Notre Dame (Sunkist Fiesta Bowl)

[edit]
Sunkist Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Mountaineers 0 6 7821
No. 1 Fighting Irish 9 14 3834

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Cloudy, light rain • Wind: 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 74,911
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator), Reggie Rucker (sideline reporter)
  • Source:
Game information
First quarter
  • 10:25 ND FG - Billy Hackett 45-yard field goal
  • 4:34 ND TD - Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Graham rush failed)
Second quarter
  • 9:41 ND TD - Rodney Culver 5-yard run (Ho PAT)
  • 6:18 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 29-yard field goal
  • 1:48 ND TD - Raghib Ismail 29-yard pass from Tony Rice (Ho PAT)
  • 0:00 WVU FG - Charlie Baumann 31-yard field goal
Third quarter
  • 5:34 ND FG - Reggie Ho 32-yard field goal
  • 3:36 WVU TD - Grantis Bell 17-yard pass from Major Harris (Baumann PAT)
Fourth quarter
  • 13:05 ND TD - Frank Jacobs 3-yard run (Rice rush good)
  • 1:14 WVU TD - Reggie Rembert 3-yard run (Rembert pass good)
Top passers
  • WVU – Major Harris: 13/26, 166 yards, TD, INT
  • ND – Tony Rice: 7/11, 213 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
  • WVU – Anthony "A.B." Brown: 11 carries, 49 yards
  • ND – Tony Rice: 13 carries, 75 yards
Top receivers
  • WVU – Grantis Bell: 4 receptions, 44 yards, TD
  • ND – Derek Brown: 2 receptions, 70 yards

Statistics

StatisticsWest VirginiaNotre Dame
First downs1919
Total yards282455
Rushing yards108242
Passing yards174213
Turnovers11
Time of possession23:1736:43

Roster

[edit]

West Virginia's 1988 team was highlighted with an explosive offense, led by Major Harris. Harris, only a sophomore, threw an exceptional deep ball in addition to his remarkable scrambling ability. Running backs A.B. Brown, Undra Johnson, Eugene Napoleon, and Craig Taylor at fullback highlighted the run game. The runners were led by Rick Phillips and Brian Smider on the offensive line, along with Stroia and Kovach, while Kevin Koken led the line at center. Early in the season, Keith Winn was moved from receiver to tight end, providing help to the run game, but was more famous as a deep-pass threat. The receivers catching the balls from Harris were led by Reggie Rembert, who was accompanied by Calvin Phillips and Grantis Bell.

Coach Don Nehlen credited West Virginia's '88 team's defense as being the main factor to their success. The linebacking core included Renaldo Turnbull, Chris Haering, Steve Grant, Dale Jackson, Theron Ellis, and Robert Pickett. Mike Fox and Chris Parker headed the defensive line, along with Chris Haering. The secondary was one of the best in West Virginia history, led by Bo Orlando and Darrell Whitmore. Orlando had a good pro career with the Houston Oilers and Pittsburgh Steelers, while Darrell went pro in baseball. Willie Edwards played corner along with Alvoid Mays, who went pro as well, and Lawrence Drumgoole and David Lockwood played solid backup corner.

Don Nehlen was the head coach while being assisted by assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, and recruiting coordinator Doc Holliday.

1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1 Grantis Bell Sr
WR 2 Greg Dykes Jr
RB 3 Eugene Napoleon Jr
WR 3 Ron Weaver Fr
QB 9 Major Harris So
WR 11 Wes Jackson So
QB 12 Chuck LeVinus Jr
QB 14 Greg Jones So
WR 15 Jamie LeMon Sr
QB 16 Chris Gray Fr
WR 16 David Miers Jr
QB 17 James Breitbeil Fr
QB 17 Glen McNew Fr
WR 19 Greg P. Jones So
FB 20 Craig Taylor Sr
WR 21 Tom Matteucci Jr
RB 25 Barry Browning Fr
RB 26 Dave Clark Fr
WR 26 Charlie Fedorco So
RB 28 A. B. Brown Sr
RB 29 Ralph Johnson Fr
FB 29 Rico Tyler So
RB 34 Undra Johnson Sr
FB 36 Aaron Evans So
RB 37 Jim Pastorkovich Jr
WR 43 Kevin Burroughs Jr
OL 50 Mike Hruska So
OL 51 Jeff Price Jr
OL 52 Brian Hendricks Sr
G 55 Bob Kovach Sr
OL 56 Lance Ference Fr
C 57 Kevin Koken Sr
OL 60 Doug Cooley Fr
OL 62 Milton Redwine Sr
OL 63 Matt Bland So
OL 65 Scott Parker Jr
OT 68 Rick Phillips Sr
OL 71 Joe Ayuso Fr
OL 72 Jack Linn Jr
G 74 Larry Cook So
G 75 John Stroia Sr
OL 78 Mike Filozof So
OT 79 Brian Smider Sr
TE 81 Keith Winn Sr
WR 82 Calvin Phillips Sr
TE 83 Keith Graley Fr
TE 85 Adrian Moss Jr
WR 88 Jim Dodrill Fr
WR 88 Reggie Rembert Jr
OL 99 Verne Howard So
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 3 Alvoid Mays Sr
LB 4 Steve Grant Fr
DB 5 Preston Waters So
DB 6 Andrew Jones Sr
DB 11 Darrell Whitmore Fr
DB 14 Jay Darr So
DB 21 Dustin Ganley Fr
DB 22 Bo Orlando Sr
DB 23 Darren Fulton Jr
DB 25 Lawrence Drumgoole Jr
DB 30 David Allaway So
LB 35 Lee Javins So
LB 38 Dave Sprouse So
DB 41 Dave Lockwood Sr
DB 42 Dan Shearer Jr
DL 44 Roger Dixon Jr
LB 45 Robert Pickett Sr
DB 47 Willie Edwards Sr
LB 49 Chris Haering Jr
LB 53 Ted Kester So
LB 59 Eric Lester Sr
DL 60 John Felker Fr
DT 61 Mike Fox Jr
LB 66 Theron Ellis So
DT 73 Scott Summits Jr
DL 84 James Fuller Jr
DE 87 Renaldo Turnbull Jr
DL 91 James Alessi Jr
LB 93 Dale Jackson Sr
DT 94 Chris Parker Sr
DE 95 Pat Marlatt Sr
LB 97 Lonnie Brockman Jr
NG 98 Jim Gray Fr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 8 Charlie Baumann Sr
P 10 Greg Hertzog So
P 18 Lance Carion Sr
K 19 Brad Carroll So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Honors

[edit]
Player Honors
Major Harris ECAC Player of the Year
Finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy Race
All-American
all-ECAC
Renaldo Turnbull all-Big East
all-ECAC

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Nehlen perfect in 9 openers at WVU". The Roanoke Times & World-News. September 4, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Robyn Norwood (September 11, 1988). "Fullerton Gets Its Guarantee, 45-10". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. III-9. Retrieved February 12, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ↑ "Titans take what solace they can in 45–10 loss to West Virginia". The Los Angeles Times. September 11, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 "Three WVU games on TV". Williamson Daily News. July 6, 1988. p. 8. Retrieved August 30, 2026 – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ "Maryland's early blitz can't stop West Virginia". The Charlotte Observer. September 18, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Ex-Panthers help WVU batter Pittsburgh, 31–10". Fort Myers News-Press. September 25, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "W. Virginia 5–0 after sloppy win". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. October 2, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "West Virginia runs past East Carolina, 30–10". The News and Observer. October 9, 1988. Retrieved March 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Harris-led WVU routs BC, 59–19". The Pittsburgh Press. October 23, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Mountaineers bury Nittany Lions". The Orlando Sentinel. October 30, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "W. Virginia survives mild UC uprising". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 6, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "West Virginia rips Rutgers". Asbury Park Press. November 13, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ https://archive.506sports.com/wiki/1988_College_Football_Season
  14. ↑ "W. Virginia ends perfect season". The Tampa Tribune. November 20, 1988. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Defense, Rice lead Irish to 8th title". Detroit Free Press. January 3, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "1988 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
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