 "Photo: EA Sports")
It might just be a video game, but West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart might like how the Mountaineers’ 2010 season turns out in a simulation on "NCAA Football 2011."
After being unranked heading into the season and expecting to finish third in the Big East Conference, the Mountaineers finish sixth in the country with an 11-2 record. WVU also won the Big East for the first time since 2007.
The Mountaineers played Washington in the Rose Bowl.
Here’s a little more detail about this year’s "NCAA 2011" simulation.
Sept. 4 vs. Coastal Carolina (or FCS East, as the game likes to say)
After Coastal Carolina took an early 3-0 lead, WVU coasted to a 20-6 halftime lead and scored 13 more in the second half to win 33-6 over the Chanticleers.
WVU held Coastal Carolina to 172 yards while WVU racked up 524 – 302 of that coming through the air.
Sept. 10 at Marshall
No. 25 West Virginia proves why it was ranked in the top 25 with a 39-21 victory over the Thundering Herd.
WVU running back Noel Devine earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors after rushing 35 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown.
Sept. 18 vs. Maryland
No. 24 West Virginia used a stifling defense to cripple Maryland’s offense in a 17-3 Mountaineer victory.
West Virginia kept the Terrapins scoreless in the second half.
Sept. 25 at LSU
LSU came into the game with a meager 1-2 record, and No. 22 West Virginia took advantage of the reeling Tigers. The Mountaineers blew out LSU 37-7.
WVU scored 27-straight points to open the game behind quarterback Geno Smith’s arm. Smith finished 13-of-27 for 296 yards and three touchdowns.
The Mountaineers did their damage without Devine for much of the contest when he left with an injury. Backup running back Tavon Austin rushed 23 times for 85 yards.
The stingy Mountaineer defense held the Tigers’ offense to 177 total yards.
Oct. 9 vs. UNLV
No. 18 West Virginia put on an offensive show against UNLV, defeating the Rebels 57-7 to open the season 5-0.
UNLV was held to 87 total yards, and the WVU defense recorded seven turnovers.
Cornerback Brandon Hogan took one of the those turnovers, an interception, into the endzone.
Oct. 14 vs. South Florida
West Virginia jumped into the top 10 for the first time in 2010, and used its highly rated defense to earn a 17-3 win over South Florida and improve to 6-0.
South Florida was held to 238 total yards and turned the ball over five times. WVU safety Sidney Glover picked off two passes, and was named the Big East’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Oct. 23 vs. Syracuse
No. 7 West Virginia was expected to romp over lowly Syracuse in Morgantown. But that didn’t happen.
The Mountaineers were upset by the Orange 36-30. It was the first loss of the season and the first loss at home for WVU since the 2008 season.
WVU opened up with a 10-0 lead, but Syracuse took a 20-17 halftime lead and added three field goals in the third quarter to secure the win.
Smith showed his inexperience. He was 13-for-39 for 195 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.
Oct. 29 at Connecticut
West Virginia dropped to No. 19 following its loss to Syracuse, but it proved it belonged higher in the rankings with a 48-14 blowout of the Huskies.
After Connecticut kept the game close through the first half, WVU scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to record the win.
Devine earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors after a 185-yard, two-touchdown performance.
WVU’s offense performed its best, totalling 534 yards. After turning the ball over seven times against Syracuse, WVU had just two turnovers against UConn.
Nov. 13 vs. Cincinnati
Unranked Cincinnati was going for a third-straight win over West Virginia, but it was not to be as the No. 11 Mountaineers defeated the Bearcats 40-21 at home.
WVU had to come back to get the win, though, as Cincinnati held a 21-16 lead in the first half. WVU would score 24 unanswered points in the second half, however, to earn the win.
Devine was solid once again, rushing 39 times for 229 yards and one touchdown. He also had seven receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. He was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week again.
Cincinnati was held to 40 yards rushing. WVU had 285 yards on the ground.
Nov. 20 at Louisville
Louisville gave No. 10 West Virginia a first-half scare, but the Mountaineers used their second-half magic once again to win their third-straight Big East game. WVU defeated UL 34-20.
Louisville led by three at halftime, but WVU scored 17-straight points to secure the win.
The Mountaineers won without Smith for most of the game, who left midway through with an injury. True freshman Barry Brunetti stepped in and threw for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Safety Eain Smith earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording two interceptions. Smith played an important role in the defense as starting safety Robert Sands suffered a season-ending injury earlier.
Nov. 26 at No. 2 Pittsburgh
It was the battle for the Big East title. It was the Backyard Brawl. It was a West Virginia blowout.
The No. 9 Mountaineers pulled the upset for the second-straight year, ending Pitt’s national title hopes in a 39-24 win. WVU also took over first place in the Big East.
WVU jumped out to a 17-7 lead and held on.
Linebacker J.T. Thomas was named the NCAA’s and Big East’s Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Devine rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The WVU defense held Pitt running back Dion Lewis to just 96 yards of 21 attempts.
Dec. 4 vs. Rutgers
No. 2 West Virginia didn’t take a day off after its upset of Pittsburgh last week. The Mountaineers trounced Rutgers 40-20, but had to do so in typical come-from-behind fashion to secure its first Big East title since 2007.
Rutgers led 20-14 heading into the half, but WVU scored 26 unanswered points.
Thomas had another strong game, recording nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week for the second-straight week.
Jan. 1, 2011 Rose Bowl vs. No. 5 Washington
Washington took control early and didn’t let go on defense, as No. 3 West Virginia was unable to score a touchdown in a 20-6 loss.
WVU outgained Washington 314 to 309, but the Mountaineers’ offense could only muster two Tyler Bitancurt field goals.
WVU defensive tackle Scooter Berry recorded a team-high 10 tackles.
Devine rushed for 165 yards in a losing effort.