Devine preferred WVU over ‘Noles

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — West Virginia coach Bill Stewart has mentioned during the week leading up to today’s Konica Minolta Gator Bowl that not many of his players were recruited by Florida State.

That includes most of the 18 Florida natives.

Running back Noel Devine was not one of those.

In fact, his college decision came down to Florida State and West Virginia.

“They were the last two teams involved (in his recruitment),” Devine said.

West Virginia (9-3) faces Florida State (6-6) today at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.

Many thought FSU had the upper hand because of Devine’s relationship with former Seminoles’ standout and NFL star Deion Sanders.

“It was my decision,” Devine said. “I took my visit to Florida State and I liked it. But when I went to West Virginia, it just felt like home. And I just really wanted to get out of Florida.”

He has certainly lived up to his billing as a 5-star recruit.

This year, despite battling injuries during much of the second half, Devine has rushed for 1,297 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He had six games of 100 or more yards, including 220 against Colorado. He excels at the art of the long run, like his 88-yard touchdown jaunt against Pitt.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden is certainly aware of Devine’s ability.

“He’ll be the biggest single threat on the field for either team,” Bowden said. “Somebody in that darn game will star, I hope it’s one of our guys. I remember him in high school. He tore up the high school league here just like he’s doing up there. He’s a dangerous guy.”

“You have to respect him going into the game,” linebacker Dekoda Watson said. “He’s very elusive. You have to make sure you’re fundamentally sound as far as the defense is concerned. We want to focus on tackling. As far as bowl games and what I’ve learned over four years, tackling is the key to winning bowl games. If we don’t take advantage of tackling and being fundamentally sound and playing our assignments, he can really hurt us.”

Free safety Jamie Robinson agreed.

“He is a very athletic guy, very talented,” Robinson said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s very quick, he can slash through the hole and beat you outside.”

It’s his ability to get to the outside and outrun opponents is what worries the Seminoles.

“Just watching film these last two weeks he can beat a lot of guys outside who have had outside contain on him,” Robinson said. “Anybody else wouldn’t have had that outside corner. With his speed and quickness, he’s able to do that.

It’s a rare trait Robinson said.

“About the only guy we’ve seen this year with his kind of speed and ability is (Clemson’s) C.J. Spiller,” Robinson said. “We have to rally to the ball and really gang tackle. It’s got to be a total defensive effort to be able to contain him for a little bit.”

Spiller had 177 yards rushing and three receptions for 67 yards for Clemson in that 40-24 Tigers win over FSU.

“Growing up I wasn’t into watching football a whole lot but coach (Bowden) is a legend,” Devine said. “They’ve had some great players come through there, like Warrick Dunn, Deion (Sanders), Peter Warrick and all those great guys. I’m excited, overwhelmed and happy that we’re playing a team such as them.”

He admits playing a Florida team has him juiced.

“That adds a little spice, I’d say,” Devine said. “Word’s can’t describe it. It’s huge.”

Devine said he is holding fast to his promise to return to WVU for his senior season next year instead of opting to go to the NFL.

“If I have an outstanding game that could change it,” Devine said. “I’m leaning toward coming back. Like (linebacker) Reed (Williams) said, I’m just going to go out and play and leave it up to God. Whatever falls in place, falls in place.”

He was asked if Sanders asked him to take it easy on his former team.

“I’m excited that he’s going to be at the game,” Devine said. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to take it easy, though. I’m going to give it all I’ve got for my fans, for him and for coach Bowden. I’m excited about this game.”

While going against Florida State is huge to Devine, it wasn’t the Seminoles who Devine felt WVU would be playing when the season.

“I thought we would be playing Florida because I thought we were going to be national champs,” Devine said.

The Mountaineers will face a quarterback, 6-foot-4, 228-pound redshirt freshman E.J. Manuel, who earned the job after starter Christian Ponder went down with a season-ending shoulder surgery. He finished 2-1 as a starter. Considered a dual threat, Manuel completed 52-of-82 passes for 628 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 126 yards and a score.

Jacksonville native Jermaine Thomas leads FSU in rushing with 711 yards on 138 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and seven scores.

Top receivers are Bert Reed (58-710-0) and Rod Owens (58-692-3).

WVU’s Jarrett Brown has completed 186-of-292 passing for 2,119 yards and 11 scores. His top targets are Jock Sanders (70-674-3), Alric Arnett (42-570-3) and Brad Starks (26-375-2).

Florida State and WVU have faced one common opponent. FSU lost to South Florida 17-7 and WVU lost to the Bulls 30-19.

Florida State is 5-0-1 in the Gator Bowl and 4-1 against teams from the Big East in bowls while WVU is 1-5 in the Gator Bowl and 3-9 against ACC teams.

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