Editor's note: Marshall University football faces a diverse 2008 schedule in terms of both geography and status. Continuing a summer-long series, The Herald-Dispatch focuses on West Virginia, which plays host to the Thundering Herd on Sept. 27.

HUNTINGTON -- Marshall is still seeking its first football victory against its archrival from the north.

West Virginia, which plays host to Marshall on Sept. 27, has defeated the Thundering Herd all seven times they met, including last season's 48-23 triumph in Huntington.

It won't be any easier this season.

The Mountaineers bring back most of the offensive firepower from an 11-2 team that whipped Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and finished the season No. 6 in the polls.

Leading the way is senior quarterback Pat White.

"Pat White is the greatest winner in college football, period," said head coach Bill Stewart, who took as interim coach a few days before the Fiesta Bowl when head coach Rich Rodriguez bolted to take over at the University of Michigan.

Stewart, who has Marshall ties as a former Herd assistant, had the interim tag removed just hours after the bowl game.

White, a dual threat running and passing the football, has a pair of Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards, and was named to the Playboy All-American preseason team.

Last season the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Alabama native rushed for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing for 1,724 yards and 14 scores. He is the Big East career leader in rushing yards by a quarterback with 3,356 and needs 934 yards to pass Missouri's Brad Smith as the NCAA all-time leader.

White is definitely a Heisman Trophy candidate.

"I guess you could say that my career to this point has been successful," White said. "You are happy to have had a small part in the team success. My goal in my senior season is to continue furthering the success of our team."

But, that's not all the Mountaineers have.

Sophomore running back Noel Devine (5-8, 170) was a unanimous selection to the All-Big East preseason team.

Devine rambled for 627 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 8.6 yards per carry as a freshman. He has three 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 136 against Maryland when he averaged 27.2 yards a carry and tied a school record with a 76-yard run.

All five West Virginia starters return on the offensive line. Athlon Sports magazine selected WVU's line as the best in the nation.

All-America left tackle Ryan Stanchek (6-4, 300, Sr.) leads the unit. Left guard Greg Isdaner (6-4, 315, Jr.) and center Mike Dent (6-4, 285, Sr.) were all-conference performers. Guard Jake Figner (6-5, 305, Sr.) and tackle Selvish Capers (6-6, 285, Jr.) are also returning starters.

Wide receiver Darius Reynaud and his 12 touchdown catches is gone, turning the position over to seniors Dorrell Jalloh and Tito Gonzales and sophomores Brandon Hogan and Jock Sanders.

Jalloh is the most experienced with 21 career starts.

Questions on offense include how the Mountaineers respond to a new head coach and an entirely new offensive staff and how well Devine handles the load, and physical pounding, of being the main running back.

Defensively, only four starting players return.

Sophomore Scooter Berry is a 6-2, 285-pound regular on the defensive line. He was a Freshman All-American selection. Chris Neild (6-3, 305, So.) shows promise at the nose tackle position. Zac Cooper (6-3, 225, Jr.) will move to defensive end from linebacker.

Reed Williams was named as the defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. The 6-2, 225-pound senior linebacker led last season's team with 107 tackles. He also recorded one sack, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Linebacker Mortty Ivy (6-3, 235, Sr.) is another returning starter.

Quinton Andrews (6-0, 210, Jr.) is the most experienced player in the secondary. Juniors Franchot Allen (6-2, 195) and Nate Sowers (6-2, 215, Jr.) are in the mix along with sophomore Sidney Glover (6-0, 215), Kent Richardson (6-1, 195, Jr.) and Ellis Lankster (5-10, 190, Sr.).

Kicking is not a problem with senior Pat McAfee on the scene to handle place-kicking and punting duties.

McAfee made 13 of 19 field goal attempts and connected on 56 consecutive extra points after his only miss in the opening game. He punted for a 42.7-yard average.

This report includes material from www.msnsportsnet.com.

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