COLLEGE PARK, MD-- After running for 137 yards and three touchdowns against Maryland on Thursday night, WVU tailback <font color="#1a3461">Steve Slaton</font> must have been a little surprised when an unusually small contingent of reporters greeted him following the game. Slaton didn't have to look far for the cause, however; a few feet away, diminutive <font color="#1a3461">Noel Devine</font> held court among the jesters. The freshman, who gained one less rushing yard than Slaton on five breathtaking carries to help the Mountaineers improve to 3-0, took the pulsating mass of human interest in stride. "My linemen gave me a lot of big holes tonight, so I've got to give them all the credit," Devine said. "Also, give credit to (WVU strength and conditioning coach) Mike Barwis for all the hard workouts he put me through this summer." Although Devine tried to downplay his contribution to the Mountaineers' 31-14 victory, his teammates and coaches were clearly in awe of what the native of North Fort Myers, Fla., was able to accomplish in his first nationally televised performance. <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="208" align="right"><tbody><tr><td rowspan="4" width="6"></td><td width="202"></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font face="verdana" size="1">Associated Press</font></td></tr><tr><td height="3"></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><font size="1">Noel Devine averaged more than 25 yards per carry against Maryland.</font></td></tr></tbody></table>"With his speed, you don't even need to make blocks for him. You just need to give him enough room to turn the corner," said left guard <font color="#1a3461">Greg Isdaner</font> of Devine, who after three games has rushed for 256 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. "The scary thing is that he's still learning the system." Added left tackle <font color="#1a3461">Ryan Stanchek</font>, "He's the total package, a truly amazing athlete. With the backs we have, anything is possible." Devine's quintet of carries against the Terrapins was a tantalizing reminder of the high school highlight tapes that became Internet lore among football fans. Although he didn't touch the ball on a play from scrimmage until the Mountaineers' opening drive of the second half, it didn't take long for Devine to steal the show from Slaton, who had already rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown before halftime. On his very first carry, Devine sliced through the Maryland defense for 31 yards. Then, with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter, Devine turned his second touch into a 76-yard burst down the sideline that ended a yard short of the end zone when Terrapins cornerback Kevin Barnes caught up with the Mountaineers' back after valiantly crossing the field. Devine's final three carries covered 18, five and six yards, respectively. "I thought I was going to make it, but I just ran out of gas," a sheepish Devine said of his near-touchdown. "A few of the guys were joking about it on the sideline. They told me they thought I was faster than that." WVU coach <font color="#1a3461">Rich Rodriguez</font> needed no explanation from Devine. Following the game, he was clearly pleased with his situation at tailback. "As many things as Noel does in practice, I think he's even better in a game," Rodriguez said. "Nothing flusters him. He gives me and coach (Calvin) Magee a great buffer zone in being able to give Steve a rest, and I think we'll have to start playing them both back there at times." Upon hearing of Rodriguez's stated intentions, Devine appeared unfazed, just as he had a short time earlier while dashing around, through, and past Terrapin defenders. "If he says it, he means it. He's a man of his word. I just have to be patient and wait," Devine said. "I'm still learning the program. Once I get comfortable, I'll finally be able to show what type of back I can be." A surreal thought, to be sure. But when Steve Slaton can rush for 136 yards and three touchdowns while slipping discretely into the night, anything seems possible these days for the WVU offense.
