Stew to the rescue

GLENDALE, Ariz. – West Virginia and its fans could finally enjoy a football game Wednesday, a nice respite from the drama and backbiting that have plagued the program since the messy departure of coach Rich Rodriguez in mid-December.

The Mountaineers made the most of their second BCS bowl appearance, upsetting Big 12 power Oklahoma 48-28 in an offensively charged Fiesta Bowl.

Nice guy interim coach Bill Stewart presided over the healing victory, a win fueled by the dazzling play of junior quarterback Pat White and the stunning running of freshman Noel Devine. WVU ripped gashes into the Sooners' defense with big plays all night: White's 79-yard touchdown pass to Tito Gonzales; Devine's 65-yard TD run; fullback Owen Schmitt's 57-yard rumble to the end zone.

After the Mountaineers built a 19-point lead late in the third quarter. Stewart wrapped his hands around White's helmet, then playfully butted the QB's head.

The lovefest was on. Later, Stewart reveled in the victory, hoisting the golden trophy above his head as he stood on the midfield stage at University of Phoenix Stadium while his players chanted, "Stew, Stew, Stew."

The placard in front of Stewart at the postgame news conference seemed to stress the interim tag for the 33-year veteran assistant charged with running the Mountaineers post-Rodriguez. None of the night's moments were lost on the 55-year-old.

"I never had a Gatorade bath before," Stewart, a New Martinsville, W.Va. native drawled. "It was special.

"To all the assistant coaches out there that never had it, this is for them. There's a whole lot of fine coaches out there better than me. I just got a chance to get into the batter's box tonight."

It got even more special Thursday morning when Stewart was named the permanent head coach.

West Virginia's vaunted spread option attack helped his cause with its dominant performance. The Mountaineers riddled the Sooners for 525 yards of total offense. At the forefront were White (150 yards passing, 176 passing, two touchdowns) and Devine (108 yards rushing, two touchdowns).

"Credit goes to Pat White and Noel Devine," Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton said. "They are great players and they played that way tonight."

The postgame celebratory scene for WVU was electric. Mountaineers fans refused to leave the stadium as they screamed for their team during the trophy presentation and hung on every word of their heroes.

It was a far cry from their last game, a 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh that cost WVU a shot at playing for the national championship. Though the mood in the state hasn't been reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys, Rodriguez's abrupt exit for Michigan has had more than a few in and around the program feuding. High-stakes donors and prominent politicians have joined the fray.

Some, including Arizona Diamondbacks owner and big Mountaineers donor Ken Kendrick, believe the WVU athletic department and administration didn't do enough to keep Rodriguez, the wunderkind coach, from bolting for Ann Arbor to succeed Lloyd Carr.

Others consider Rodriguez a traitor to his home state and alma mater and are incensed that the coach has refused to pay a $4 million contract buyout. The bitterness has been such that the university's Board of Governors has sued Rodriguez for the cash. That came after Rodriguez's lawyers indicated the coach would contest the buyout, saying the school was in breach of contract.

Such scandalous stuff doesn't play well in West Virginia, a proud and private state that doesn't like to air its dirty laundry in the media.

Former WVU football player and current West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin became heavily involved. Manchin, on the sideline for the Fiesta, spoke to Rodriguez about the separation on Christmas day, letting him know of the state's disappointment and hurt feelings. The governor has also played an intimate part in the search for Rodriguez's replacement. Manchin told a West Virginia radio station that a decision on the next coach could come "very quickly."

It did Thursday with Stewart beating out favorites including Yahoo! Sports college football analyst and former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, Central Michigan coach Butch Jones and Florida assistant Doc Holliday.

Stewart, who had not been asked to interview, guided this team through the turbulence after Rodriguez, kept them focused and directed the scintillating bowl win.

That was enough to take Stewart over the top. White said so after the Fiesta.

"He deserves it," White said. "A great man. A great coach. All the players respect him and all the players love him. You couldn't ask for a better man to lead us to victory today."

And tomorrow.

Stewart can count on a bright future in Morgantown. The core of this 11-2 team likely returns including offensive catalysts White, standout running back Steve Slaton and Devine.

He should keep riding Rodriguez's brilliant offense while augmenting the defense and special teams.

Then the run at the national championship that many expected this season could come – a year later with a new guy wearing the headset.