After finishing a 41-30 loss to Auburn with 15 carries and two receptions, the West Virginia coaching staff said they likely need to improve the usage of tailback Noel Devine. Devine hasn’t been utilized as much as West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart would like. The junior is averaging just 17 carries per game. "I would like to see him carry the ball about 20 or 25 times a game," Stewart said. "I would like to get the ball in his hands passing about three to eight times." Devine has made the most of his touches, however. He enters Thursday’s game against Colorado averaging 6.3 yards per carry while also averaging 6.6 yards per reception out of the backfield. He is currently second in the Big East Conference with 106.7 yards per game, second only to Pittsburgh freshman Dion Lewis. However, Devine has 35 less carries than Lewis. No one Big East player with at least 40 carries has a better yards-per-rush average than Devine. The junior is also second in the conference in total yards (142 ypg) despite playing one less game than leader Marty Gilyard of Cincinnati. "Fifteen to 20 is about where it needs to be," said West Virginia offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen of Devine’s carries. "There is no question he had a big night for us (against Auburn), but it is difficult when you fall behind at the end. "That probably skewed the touches for him." Another contributing factor to Devine’s low touches is how West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown reads option plays, according to Mullen. With most defenses playing to stop the Mountaineers’ rushing game, Brown has been forced to keep the ball instead of handing it off to Devine. Devine said he’s not concerned about his usage. "That has nothing to do with me – I trust their play-calling," Devine said. "Whenever I get the ball, I’m going to make the most of it. "If we scored every time we passed the ball, there wouldn’t be any question about whether I’m touching the ball enough or not." Devine had his longest rush of the season against Auburn on a 71-yard rushing touchdown on the Mountaineers’ second possession of the game. He finished the first half with 95 yards rushing on just eight carries with touchdowns. The junior already has five touchdowns this season compared to scoring just four times in 2008. "I think you always want to make sure you’re giving him his touches," said WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty. "We, as coaches, need to make sure that he gets his touches, gets his opportunities and then the home runs will come. "With guys like him, he might get a 2-yard loss, a 1-yard gain and then, all of a sudden, he’ll break one. You have to keep giving it to him for him to have a chance to get the home run." One of the biggest adjustments for Devine, according to Beatty, has been slowing down his running game in order to let blockers open up holes. The running back said it has been a work in progress. "It’s understanding the offense more, understanding the schemes and the purpose of the run plays. That’s my weakness: patience," Devine said. "It’s different in different offenses. You have to know when to be patient and when not to be patient. When it’s there, you have to hit it and go. "Back then, I always wanted to score every time I got the ball. I somewhat understand that, in reality, that’s just not going to happen."
Devine’s touches a top priority for Stewart, staff
Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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