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Mountaineers Soar Past Sooners

West Virginia overcomes coach's departure for 48-28 win

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2008 4:26 AM CST

(Newser) – University of Phoenix stadium has become a house of horrors for No. 3 Oklahoma, which yesterday lost its second straight Fiesta Bowl there, 48-28, to West Virginia. Pat White rushed for 150 yards and threw for 176 yards and two scores for the Mountaineers, who put aside the distraction surrounding the departure of coach Rich Rodriguez, reports AP.

"It's a great night to be a Mountaineer," said interim coach Bill Stewart, who praised his players for never quitting, especially considering star player Steve Slaton was injured early on. His replacement rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The cliché that good defense beats good offense played out, as West Virginia held OU's offense below its 43-point average.

West Virginia quarterback Patrick White throws against Oklahoma in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
West Virginia quarterback Patrick White throws against Oklahoma in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)   (Associated Press)
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops yells at his team in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops yells at his team in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)   (Associated Press)
West Virginia wide receiver Darius Reynaud (2) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jason Babyak)
West Virginia wide receiver Darius Reynaud (2) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jason...   (Associated Press)
Oklahoma players D.J. Wolfe (25) and Curtis Lofton (40) try to stop West Virginia quarterback Patrick White (5) in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma players D.J. Wolfe (25) and Curtis Lofton (40) try to stop West Virginia quarterback Patrick White (5) in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in...   (Associated Press)
A West Virginia fan holds a sign referencing former head coach Rich Rodriguez during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
A West Virginia fan holds a sign referencing former head coach Rich Rodriguez during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz....   (Associated Press)
West Virginia interim head coach Bill Stewart looks on from the sideline in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
West Virginia interim head coach Bill Stewart looks on from the sideline in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl college football game against Oklahoma, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul...   (Associated Press)
West Virginia running back Noel Devine (7) rushes with the ball for a touchdown ahead of Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton in the third quarter of the Fiesta Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Matt York)
West Virginia running back Noel Devine (7) rushes with the ball for a touchdown ahead of Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton in the third quarter of the Fiesta Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008...   (Associated Press)
West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart is carried off the field by his team after defeating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. West Virginia won 48-28. (AP Photo/Matt York)
West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart is carried off the field by his team after defeating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. West Virginia won...   (Associated Press)
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