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The West Virginia equipment staff usually inspects helmets for problems on Wednesdays, after the Mountaineers go hard in Tuesday's practice. Owen Schmitt's helmet requires closer supervision.

Those who think the Mountaineers are about spacing and speed are only half-right. They're also about power and force.

They're also about Schmitt, a senior fullback who has broken 10 face masks in his collegiate career, a fullback who earlier this year slammed his head into his helmet three times after shanking a punt. (Yes, despite all that adrenaline, he's also an occasional pooch punter, which has to make up one of the greater contradictions in sports.)

"The face masks are made very good; it's not like they're cheap face masks," said equipment manager Dan Nehlen, in his 19th year. "We've had guys in the past that have maybe bent them a little, but not like Owen has. That's why we always go check his helmet after the game either on Sunday or Monday just to see if we need to change it."

The headlines center on Patrick White and Steve Slaton, but Schmitt might be the success story of today's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

His grandparents raised him in Gilman, Wisc., population 474. As a college freshman he attended Wisconsin-River Falls and ran for 1,063 yards. He walked on at West Virginia the following year, telling himself he could always return to Wisconsin-River Falls.

There was no need.

Once Rich Rodriguez, then the head coach, awarded him a scholarship, Schmitt started busting heads - literally. He keeps one of the face masks in his room. Rodriguez kept another in his office because he thought it symbolized toughness. The media-relations department started keeping count, including the face-mask statistics right there next to Schmitt's rushing totals: 44 attempts for 208 yards and three touchdowns this season.

"It's kind of blown up bigger than what it is," Schmitt said. "It's not like I broke the face mask in half or anything. I guess I could take pride in it. They thought it was important enough to make their own little stat column on me. That's kind of cool."

Schmitt, the nation's No. 1 fullback according to NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., stands 6 feet 3, 260 pounds. In the weight room, he squats 640 pounds and benches 365. He runs a 4.57 40-yard dash, which means his blocks produce tremendous force.

wHis teammates describe them as "train wrecks." Slaton said he hears them more than he sees them.

"I've done gave somebody my best shot and my face mask didn't bend, so I know you have to hit them pretty hard," Slaton said.

Schmitt's goal: "Every time I hit I always want to make that guy feel dizzy."

Oklahoma has noticed as much on film. The Sooners see White and Slaton running upfield, but they also see Schmitt clearing the way.

"I bet you if (West Virginia) voted who their MVP was," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said, "he has a great chance to get the majority of their votes."

West Virginia interim coach Bill Stewart called Schmitt "a throwback," but said it's easy to get the wrong impression.

"Owen Schmitt is as fine a human being as I've ever been blessed to coach," he said.

"This guy comes to work every day with a lunch pail. He absolutely represents the work motto and the Mountaineers' spirit that all West Virginians have. He's fast for a big guy, he's elusive and, boy, he's tough."

The Associated Press

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, left, and West Virginia interim head coach Bill Stewart pose with the Fiesta Bowl trophy during a news conference for the Fiesta Bowl college football game on Tuesday, in Phoenix.