West Virginia was a solid underdog coming into this one, and they lost their star running back (Slaton) 9 minutes into the game, but they still pulled off what may be the chocker of the bowl season, dowing Oklahoma by 20. The first quarter was a field position/field goal affair, as neither offense was really connecting. WVU QB Pat White could do nothing through the air early on, but kept WVU moving with his legs as he often does. First-round WR Malcolm Kelly did not play for the Sooners, and that hurt some, though Joaquin Iglesias and especially Quentin Chaney took up the slack. If I were giving out game balls, it would go to WVU DT Keilen Dykes who was the key factor in allowing the WVU LB's to penetrate and make plays all night for the Mountaineer defense.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Oklahoma Conference: Big 12 Columnist: Jeff Carnahan and Craig Fobbe

Game Notes
D.J. Wolfe 25 5' 11.0" 201 4.48 CB 2008: Tough run support safety/CB who was in on quite a few tackles. Pat White doesn't give you many opportunities to test for coverage skills as he just doesn't throw enough. GRADE: Neutral

Darien Williams 41 5' 9.7" 198 4.48 CB 2008: Again, not enough opportunity to really evaluate him in pass defense, but he appears to be a solid tackler and run supporter. GRADE: Neutral

Allen Patrick 23 6' 1.0" 196 4.50 HB 2008: Played well in spurts. When OU actually blocked he was able to gain good yardage. Had a very nice KR and shows good open field moves. Pretty tough runner for his body shape. Nice 38-yard run in the 3rd quarter when OU still had hope of a come back. Not sure he can be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level. GRADE: Slightly positive

Joe John Finley 19 6' 6.0" 261 4.90 TE 2008: Decent combination of block and catch. In another offense that doesn't have 3 solid TEs you might be more impressed with his body of work. Great size and size potential. Pretty decent hands. Might be worth a 7th rounder. GRADE: Neutral

Malcolm Kelly 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 WR 2009: DNP, and they gave few details as to why he didn't

Reggie Smith 3 6' 0.0" 196 4.45 CB 2009: Also DNP...anybody know his story?

Garrett Hartley 10 5' 8.0" 204 5.10 K 2008: I was quite impressed by Hartley. He made his three FGs, and showed good depth and hang time on his kickoffs. Hadn't ever looked at him before, and he definitely looks like a camp guy to me. GRADE: Positive

Marcus Walker 24 5' 10.0" 197 4.40 CB 2008: would appear to be the best cover guy in the walking-wounded secondary for the Sooners. Also shows very good range. Looks like the kind who would have a chance to be successful no matter the scheme. GRADE: Slightly positive

Jermaine Gresham 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 TE 2010: This guy is a future first-round draft pick. 6'5", 265 but runs like a WR, gets open, makes the catch and then is an absolute nightmare to try to bring down after the catch. GRADE: Positive

Curtis Lofton 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 LB 2009: One of the better performances from a MLB I have seen all year. Really flows to the ball. RELENTLESS. Shows better chase-down speed than I thought he had. Never gives up on a play. I had him for 11 TTs and 2 TFLs, but I might have missed some. Undisputed leader of the OU defense. If he declares, he is in the 2nd-round ahead of Crable, IMHO...GRADE: Very Positive



College: West Virginia Conference: Big East Columnist: Steve Martin

Game Notes
Eric Wicks 41 6' 0.5" 210 4.60 S 2008: The entire WVU defense played above expectations, and Wicks was one of the ringleaders. There are lots of positive intangibles with this guy, and he is a mature, tough, smart football player. Was in on a bunch of stops, broke up two passes, and showed me that he CAN make a roster next year. He is equally adept in run support and pass D, and I can see him being paired with a solid coverage FS and having a better pro than college career. GRADE: Positive

Owen Schmitt 35 6' 1.7" 258 4.60 FB 2008: This was a HUGE game for Schmitty, who ripped off the longest TD run in WVU bowl history (a stunning 57-yarder in the second quarter.) There is no DOUBT in my mind that he SHOULD be the first FB drafted. He does it all and has it all. Will be a luxury for some teams, but could be a 1-back in certain offenses if he continues to develop. A bit of John Riggins here, but bigger and stronger (and possibly a tad slower). Also had a light-up tackle on STs and blocked like a demon all night long. GRADE: Very Positive

Steve Slaton 10 5' 9.5" 196 4.36 HB 2009: Just never got it going. Was running E-W and getting lit up, even before he went out with a bad hammy 9-minutes in, and never returned. He DEFINITELY needs to get healthy and was this season out of his memory with a great year next year. I'm betting he will...GRADE: Incomplete

Keilen Dykes 96 6' 4.2" 295 5.10 DT 2008: Star of the game for either team in my book. Keilen has always had sufficient size and always been a solid mid-round type, but he now also proved he is a big game guy. He constantly tied up 2 or 3 blockers, and got enough penetration even so to mess up Bradford all night. Doesn't seem to wear down. He is now Top 100 material in my book. GRADE: Very Positive

Darius Reynaud 2 5' 9.8" 205 4.45 WR 2008: Kind of the forgotten man in WVU's loaded offense at times, but he REALLY shown in this one. Scored 2 TDs--a 21-yard catch and a 30-yard run--and he IS a RB when he is used that way. The guy squats 700 pounds and is the strongest WR, pound for pound, in this draft. He COULD shock people and go in the 3rd round, and you would not be counting me among the surprised. He has the complete pakage. If he were a tad bigger he'd be a first rounder. Powerful runner. Elusive moves. Gets open in the slot. Not a burner, but not a guy you are going to catch if you lolligag. GRADE: Positive

Antonio Lewis 6 5' 9.5" 186 4.50 CB 2008: Best DB in the Big East. There, I said it. Sorry Mike Jenkins, but this kid is a great cover corner and is definitely flying under the radar. Was in on 9 tackles, had a sack. Was flagged for pass interference once, and was beaten (but not badly) on one pass play. Definitely and Ellis Hobbs type that better be gone by round 6. GRADE: Positive

Pat White 5 6' 1.4" 185 4.42 QB 2009: What can you say that hasn't already been said. If they had beaten Pitt, and won the national title, he would have also won the Heisman, and, for my money, he was/is/will continue to be the most electrifying player in college football. He was AMAZING as usual running in the open field--constantly looking tackled, but slipping away for big gains. He is Michael Vick without the baggage. I don't know if he can play QB at the next level or not, because he will never be a pocket passer, but if you design an offense around him, he can do anything. Bulk up young man! A fine RB career awaits you! Through 2 TD passes as well as gaining well over 100 yards on the ground. GRADE: Very positive

Johnny Dingle 92 6' 2.8" 270 4.78 DT 2008: Was dinged up a couple of times during the game but he is the college version of Adalius Thomas. Pressures, pressures, pressures, and really help set the defensive tone of this game early on. He is in the 100-150 range on my personal big board, but if he can convert to OLB (and that's a big IF) he would be a steal for somebody, and I can see a Pro Bowl future. Relentless, all-out-all-the-time pass rusher, and holds the point pretty well on running plays. He can start on my 4-3 line year two...GRADE: Positive

Ryan Mundy 21 6' 0.8" 205 4.55 S 2008: Another WVU safety who is flying a bit under the radar. He may actually be an even better safety prospect than Wicks, because he is a better cover guy. Will hit you too. 4th round would be a fine home for this up-and-comer. Had he been in the program for 5 years, he'd probably be among the nation's leaders in career tackles, and be consider a 3rd-round type guy. No real weaknesses in this kid's game. GRADE: Very positive


OTHER NOTES:

WVU: LB Mike Magro continues to play well, and impresses with his aggressiveness, but I just don't see the wheels or athleticism for the next level. Frosh RB Noel Devine was simply ELECTRIC after he came in and replaced Slaton...WVU never missed a beat at the RB position, and this kid is a future first rounder.

OU: Bradford looked HORRIBLE during the entire first half. He was a deer in the headlights against the WVU rush, and couldn't do a thing. Played better in the second half, but I see a very over-rated guy here with no pro future. WR Quentin Chaney is a stud!!...Malcolm who?

Walker got burned on a post or seam for a TD in the 2nd half...

And Mundy missed an assignment 2nd half big time in the red zone...still like him though...

Reynaud was wide open for a score because Wolfe had his eyes in the backfield...

Lofton also over prusued and didn't show good change of direction or awareness on I think an option run play to the left. I remember #40 running past the play and looking totally lost, unable to find the ball...

I like Mundy though but everyone in Oklahoma's secondary have been inconsistent-at best- this year. Stoops would be the first one to tell you...

You're on with Dingle, Dykes, Wicks, and Reynaud. I love all of them- Dingle was held all game...

No review for Phil Loadholt or Duke Robinson? Loadholt looked like a heavy-legged waist bender in the game...

I'd also be careful labeling someone who's 5'7 a future first rounder- especially someone who's a freshman...

Kelly didn't play because he had a deep thigh bruise. Reggie broke a bone in his foot at the first of the Big 12 championship game.

Its hard to put a label on Loadholt. I don't think you can doubt the guys ability but, you don't know which version of him will show up. His blocking was a roller coaster ride all season long.

I agree... This guy isn't even big enough to play soccer!