By Helen Sowell, Staff Writer
The 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl Most Valuable Player was awarded to quarterback Pat White from The University of West Virginia and was he special. The 4-year starter finished with a career-high 332 yards and 3 TD’s on 26 of 32 attempts and rushed 25 times for 55 yards in the 31-30 dramatic win over UNC before a record crowd of 73,712 in the 7th edition at Bank of America Stadium.
White is a passionate and focused play-maker on a mission since his high school days in Daphne, Alabama. The son of a fire chief, he was highly recruited to play football but was equally sought after on the baseball diamond as the Anaheim Angels offered him $400,000 to sign in 2004. White said no. He had a goal. The 6′1″, 190-lb young man was determined to play quarterback but more importantly, he wanted to get a college degree. “Getting that degree is the best success I’ve had since I’ve been here (WVa),” adds White. “That’s why my parents sent me here. If I don’t graduate, it’s a failed mission.”
Making the spectacular look routine, White remains humble and appreciative. The list of awards and records are too numerous to itemize but among the most significant are two milestones: Pat White is the first QB in major college football history to win four bowl starts being named MVP for the 3rd consecutive bowl game and his 4,480 career rushing yards are the most among any QB in NCAA history. He was the MVP of the 2009 Senior Bowl and was taken 44th overall in the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins where he appears to be a perfect fit for its “wildcat” offensive scheme.
Some Mountaineer faithful think the Liberal Arts major is the greatest player in school history yet White downplays the attention, as usual. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion and I’m grateful to those that think so.” Ask the UNC defense if it respects White – it lined-up with eight men on the line of scrimmage all game trying to stop his running. So what does he do – he throws completing the game-winning toss midway through the 4th quarter. After receiving the MVP trophy, White paid tribute to his absent teammate, Brandon Hogan #22, who was ill and unable to play rather than celebrate his personal achievement. That’s not his way.
White explains that his three best qualities are honesty, passion and caring and he believes a person succeeds through hard work, focus and honesty. West Virginia Head Coach Bill Stewart says of White: “I hope my son grows up to be just like him – and I’m not talking about at quarterback – I’m talking about as a man.” Quite a compliment and I’d say Mission Accomplished.