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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{NCAATeamFootballSeason
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
|Year=1989
{{Infobox NCAA team season|sport=football
|Team=West Virginia Mountaineers
|year=1989
|Image= West Virginia Mountaineers logo.svg
|team=West Virginia Mountaineers
|ImageSize=100
|image= West Virginia Mountaineers logo.svg
|Conference= Independent
|image_size=100
|ShortConference=
|conference= Independent
|short_conf=
|CoachRank=
|CoachRank=
|APRank= 21
|APRank= 21
|Record=8–3–1
|record=8–3–1
|HeadCoach=[[Don Nehlen]]
|head_coach=[[Don Nehlen]]
|HCYear=10th
|hc_year=10th
|OScheme=[[Option offense|Option]]
|off_scheme=[[Option offense|Option]]
|DScheme=
|def_scheme=
|StadiumArena=[[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]<br>(Capacity: 63,500)
|stadium=[[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
|BowlTourney=[[1989 Gator Bowl (December)|Gator Bowl]]
|bowl=[[1989 Gator Bowl (December)|Gator Bowl]]
|BowlTourneyResult=L 7–27 vs. [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]
|bowl_result=L 7–27 vs. [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]
}}
}}
{{1989 Major eastern college football independents records}}
{{1989 Division I-A independents football standings}}
{{1989 Division I-A independents football standings}}
The '''1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team''' represented [[West Virginia University]] in the [[1989 NCAA Division I-A football season]]. It was the Mountaineers' 97th overall season and they competed as a [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|Division I-A Independent]]. The team was led by head coach [[Don Nehlen]], in his tenth year, and played their home games at [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]] in [[Morgantown, West Virginia]]. They finished the season with a record of eight wins, three losses and one tie (8–3–1 overall), and earned a [[Gator Bowl]] berth against No. 14 [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]], where they were defeated 27–7.
The '''1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team''' represented [[West Virginia University]] in the [[1989 NCAA Division I-A football season]]. It was the Mountaineers' 97th overall season and they competed as a [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|Division I-A Independent]]. The team was led by head coach [[Don Nehlen]], in his tenth year, and played their home games at [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]] in [[Morgantown, West Virginia]]. They finished the season with a record of eight wins, three losses and one tie (8–3–1 overall), and earned a [[Gator Bowl]] berth against No. 14 [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]], where they were defeated 27–7.


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=no|rank=|ranklink=|rankyear=1989|tv=|attend=yes}}
| rankyear = 1989
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| poll = AP
| date = September 2
| time = no
| timezone = Eastern

| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| nonconf = yes
| date = September 2
| homecoming =
| away =
| w/l = w
| neutral =
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[1989 Ball State Cardinals football team|Ball State]]
| rank = 17
| site_stadium = [[Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1989|team=Ball State Cardinals|title=Ball State}}
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| opprank =
| score = 35–10
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| attend = 57,866
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-credibility-second-half/140137511/|work=The Muncie Star|title=Credibility; Second half 'reality' beats BSU|date=September 3, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 35–10
| overtime =
| attend = 57,866<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule">{{cite web|last=DeVault|first=Mark|title=WVU 1989 Schedule|url=http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|publisher=WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics)|accessdate=January 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406111511/http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|archive-date=2012-04-06|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 9
| date = September 9
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| nonconf = yes
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[1989 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[SECU Stadium|Byrd Stadium]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[College Park, Maryland|College Park, MD]]
| neutral =
| gamename = [[Maryland–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| rank = 17
| score = 14–10
| opponent = [[1989 Maryland Terrapins football team|Maryland]]
| opprank =
| attend = 45,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-offense-stalls-as-terp/140137632/|work=The Sunday Star|title=Offense stalls as Terp upset bid fails|date=September 10, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_stadium = [[Byrd Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[College Park, Maryland|College Park, MD]]
| gamename = [[Maryland-West Virginia rivalry|MD-WV Rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 14–10
| overtime =
| attend = 45,000<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 16
| date = September 16
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| rank = 12
| opponent = [[1989 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
| nonconf = yes
| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field
| homecoming =
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| away =
| neutral =
| score = 45–21
| rank = 12
| attend = 66,015
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-w-virginia-run/140137765/|work=The Atlanta Journal & Constitution|title=W. Virginia runs USC awry 45–21|date=September 17, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| opponent = [[1989 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 45–21
| overtime =
| attend = 66,015<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 23
| date = September 23
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| nonconf = yes
| rank = 9
| opponent = [[1989 Louisville Cardinals football team|Louisville]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[Cardinal Stadium (1956)|Cardinal Stadium]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville, KY]]
| neutral =
| rank = 9
| score = 30–21
| attend = 39,132
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1989|team=Louisville Cardinals|title=Louisville}}
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-big-plays-put-mountai/140137869/|work=Messenger-Inquirer|title=Big plays put Mountaineers over the top of Cardinals|date=September 24, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Cardinal Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville, KY]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 30–21
| overtime =
| attend = 39,132<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 30
| date = September 30
| time = no
| w/l = t
| w/l = t
| rank = 9
| opponent = [[1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh]]
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| opprank = 10
| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field
| away =
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| neutral =
| gamename = [[Backyard Brawl]]
| rank = 9
| score = 31–31
| opponent = [[1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pitt]]
| opprank = 10
| attend = 68,938
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pitt-rallies-fro/140138026/|work=Wisconsin State Journal|title=Pitt rallies from 22 back to tie|date=October 1, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename = [[Backyard Brawl]]
| tv =
| score = 31–31
| overtime =
| attend = 68,938<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 7
| date = October 7
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| rank = 9
| opponent = [[1989 Virginia Tech Hokies football team|Virginia Tech]]
| nonconf = yes
| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field
| homecoming =
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| away =
| gamename = [[Virginia Tech–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| neutral =
| rank = 9
| score = 10–12
| attend = 62,563
| opponent = [[1989 Virginia Tech Hokies football team|Virginia Tech]]
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-virginia-tech-g/140138174/|work=The Akron Beacon Journal|title=Virginia Tech gets a giant kick out of Thomas' 4 FGs|date=October 8, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename = [[Black Diamond Trophy|VT-WV Rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 10–12
| overtime =
| attend = 62,563<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 21
| date = October 21
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| rank = 18
| opponent = [[1989 Cincinnati Bearcats football team|Cincinnati]]
| nonconf = yes
| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field
| homecoming =
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| away =
| neutral =
| score = 69–3
| rank = 18
| attend = 47,176
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-harris-mountaineers/140138397/|work=The Palm Beach Post|title=Harris, Mountaineers end slump, rip Bearcats 69–3|date=October 22, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1989|team=Cincinnati Bearcats|title=Cincinnati}}
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 69–3
| overtime =
| attend = 47,176<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 28
| date = October 28
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| nonconf = yes
| rank = 15
| opponent = [[1989 Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College]]
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank = 15
| opponent = [[1989 Boston College Eagles football team|Boston College]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Alumni Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Alumni Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts|Chestnut Hill, MA]]
| site_cityst = [[Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts|Chestnut Hill, MA]]
| gamename =
| score = 44–30
| tv =
| attend = 32,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-west-virginia-gets/140138611/|work=The Pittsburgh Press|title=West Virginia gets a scare in 44–30 win|date=October 29, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 44–30
| overtime =
| attend = 32,000<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 4
| date = November 4
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| away = y
| nonconf = yes
| rank = 13
| opponent = [[1989 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]
| homecoming =
| away = yes
| opprank = 16
| neutral =
| rank = 13
| opponent = [[1989 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]]
| opprank = 16
| site_stadium = [[Beaver Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Beaver Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[University Park, Pennsylvania|University Park, PA]]
| site_cityst = [[University Park, Pennsylvania|University Park, PA]]
| gamename =
| gamename = [[Penn State–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv =
| score = 9–19
| score = 9–19
| attend = 85,911
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-lions-jump-on-major-mis/140138758/|work=The Times Leader|title=Lions jump on Major mistakes|date=November 5, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| overtime =
| attend = 85,911<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 11
| date = November 11
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| rank = 19
| opponent = [[1989 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team|Rutgers]]
| nonconf = yes
| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field
| homecoming =
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| away =
| neutral =
| score = 21–20
| rank = 19
| attend = 61,336
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-wvus-2120-win-def/140138909/|work=The Pittsburgh Press|title=WVU's 21–20 win deflates Rutgers|date=November 12, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| opponent = [[1989 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team|Rutgers]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium|Mountaineer Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown, WV]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 21–20
| overtime =
| attend = 61,336<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 24
| date = November 23
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| nonconf = yes
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[1989 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| homecoming =
| site_stadium = [[JMA Wireless Dome|Carrier Dome]]
| away = yes
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse, NY]]
| neutral =
| gamename = [[Syracuse–West Virginia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| rank = 17
| score = 24–17
| opponent = [[1989 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| opprank =
| attend = 46,757
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-west-virginia-s/140139114/|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|title=West Virginia slips past Syracuse|date=November 24, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_stadium = [[Carrier Dome]]
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse, NY]]
| gamename =
| tv =
| score = 24–17
| overtime =
| attend = 46,757<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 30
| date = December 30
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| nonconf = yes
| neutral = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]
| away =
| neutral = yes
| opprank = 14
| rank = 17
| opponent = [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]
| opprank = 14
| site_stadium = [[Gator Bowl Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Gator Bowl Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville, FL]]
| site_cityst = [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville, FL]]
| gamename = [[1989 Gator Bowl (December)|Gator Bowl]]
| gamename = [[1989 Gator Bowl (December)|Gator Bowl]]
| tv =
| score = 7–27
| score = 7–27
| attend = 82,911
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-clemson-harasses-ha/140139255/|work=The Orlando Sentinel|title=Clemson harasses Harris in coasting to Gator Bowl victory|date=December 31, 1989|accessdate=February 2, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| overtime =
| attend = 82,911<ref name="WVU 1989 Schedule"/>
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=yes|poll=[[AP Poll]]|timezone=[[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]]}}
}}
}}
}}<ref>{{cite web|title=1989 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 2, 2024|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/west-virginia/1989-schedule.html}}</ref>


==Season summary==
==Season summary==
Coming off of its first ever 11-win season and with junior Major Harris returning to lead a potent offense, West Virginia entered the 1989 season ranked 17th in the AP Poll and with high expectations. The Mountaineers started the season accordingly, racing to a 4-0 record and to #9 in the AP Poll. In Week 5 against #10 [[1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pitt]], however, West Virginia fell victim to another memorable collapse in the Backyard Brawl. Trailing 31-9 in the 4th quarter, Pitt scored 22 unanswered points and kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired to force a 31-31 tie.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tales from the Backyard Brawl|url=http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives|author1=Antonik, John |author2=Scuillo, Sam|publisher=MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Athletics)|date=December 1, 2007|accessdate=January 13, 2012}}</ref> The Mountaineers would suffer another heartbreaking result the following week with a 12-10 home loss to [[Virginia Tech Hokies football|Virginia Tech]], as well as a 19-9 loss to #16 [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]] in [[State College, PA|State College]]. Despite those disappointing defeats, WVU finished the regular season at 8-2-1, a #17 ranking in the AP Poll, and a trip to the Gator Bowl to face #14 [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]. The Mountaineers faltered, however, losing 27-7 and finished the season at 8-3-1 with a #21 ranking in the final AP Poll.<ref>{{cite web|title=WVU 1989 Schedule|url=http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|author=DeVault, Mark|publisher=WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics)|accessdate=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406111511/http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|archive-date=2012-04-06|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
Coming off of its first ever 11-win season and with junior Major Harris returning to lead a potent offense, West Virginia entered the 1989 season ranked 17th in the AP Poll and with high expectations. The Mountaineers started the season accordingly, racing to a 4–0 record and to #9 in the AP Poll. In Week 5 against #10 [[1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pitt]], however, West Virginia fell victim to another memorable collapse in the Backyard Brawl. Trailing 31–9 in the 4th quarter, Pitt scored 22 unanswered points and kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired to force a 31–31 tie.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tales from the Backyard Brawl|url=http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives|author1=Antonik, John|author2=Scuillo, Sam|publisher=MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Athletics)|date=December 1, 2007|access-date=January 13, 2012|archive-date=December 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204174809/http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Mountaineers would suffer another heartbreaking result the following week with a 12–10 home loss to [[Virginia Tech Hokies football|Virginia Tech]], as well as a 19–9 loss to #16 [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]] in [[State College, PA|State College]]. Despite those disappointing defeats, WVU finished the regular season at 8–2–1, a #17 ranking in the AP Poll, and a trip to the Gator Bowl to face #14 [[1989 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]. The Mountaineers faltered, however, losing 27–7 and finished the season at 8–3–1 with a #21 ranking in the final AP Poll.<ref>{{cite web|title=WVU 1989 Schedule|url=http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|author=DeVault, Mark|publisher=WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics)|access-date=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406111511/http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989|archive-date=2012-04-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Roster==
{{American football roster/Header
| year = 1989
| team = West Virginia Mountaineers
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players =
{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=Sr|first=Reggie|last=Rembert|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=2|class=Sr|first=Greg|last=Dykes|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=Jr|first=Major|last=Harris|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=Jr|first=Wes|last=Jackson|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Fr|first=James|last=Jett|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=Sr|first=David|last=Miers|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=So|first=Chris|last=Gray|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=So|first=James|last=Breitbeil|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=Sr|first=Craig|last=Taylor|pos=FB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=Jr|first=Aaron|last=Evans|pos=FB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=33|class=Sr|first=Eugene|last=Napoleon|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=Sr|first=Jack|last=Linn|pos=OT}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=74|class=Jr|first=Larry|last=Cook|pos=G}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=So|first=Darrell|last=Whitmore|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=Sr|first=Mike|last=Fox|dab=Mike Fox (American football)|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=87|class=Sr|first=Renaldo|last=Turnbull|pos=DE|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=49|class=Sr|first=Chris|last=Haering|pos=LB}}
| special_teams_players=

}}
{{American football roster/Footer
| head_coach = *[[Don Nehlen]]
| asst_coach =
| accessdate=
}}


==Statistical leaders==
==Statistical leaders==
''All stats are courtesy of WVUStats.com unless otherwise cited.''<ref>{{cite web|last=DeVault|first=Mark|title=WVU 1989 Statistics|url=http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1989|publisher=WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics)|accessdate=January 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525043557/http://www.wvustats.com/football/season.php?season=1989&team_id=308|archive-date=2012-05-25|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
''All stats are courtesy of WVUStats.com unless otherwise cited.''<ref>{{cite web|last=DeVault|first=Mark|title=WVU 1989 Statistics|url=http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1989|publisher=WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics)|access-date=January 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525043557/http://www.wvustats.com/football/season.php?season=1989&team_id=308|archive-date=2012-05-25|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''Passing''':
*'''Passing''':
:[[Major Harris]] - 142/245, 2,058 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
:[[Major Harris (American football)|Major Harris]] - 142/245, 2,058 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
*'''Rushing''':
*'''Rushing''':
:Major Harris - 155 carries, 936 yards, 6.0 average per carry, six touchdowns
:Major Harris - 155 carries, 936 yards, 6.0 average per carry, six touchdowns
Line 272: Line 232:
{{West Virginia Mountaineers football navbox}}
{{West Virginia Mountaineers football navbox}}


[[Category:1989 NCAA Division I-A independents football season|West Virginia Mountaineers]]
[[Category:1989 NCAA Division I-A independents football season|West Virginia]]
[[Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football seasons]]
[[Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football seasons]]
[[Category:1989 in sports in West Virginia|Mountaineers]]
[[Category:1989 in sports in West Virginia|West Virginia Mountaineers football]]

Latest revision as of 02:51, 3 February 2024

1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football
Gator Bowl, L 7–27 vs. Clemson
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
APNo. 21
Record8–3–1
Head coach
Offensive schemeOption
Home stadiumMountaineer Field
Seasons
← 1988
1990 →
1989 Major eastern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 15 Penn State $ 6 – 0 – 0 8 – 3 – 1
No. 17 Pittsburgh 4 – 1 – 1 8 – 3 – 1
No. 21 West Virginia 3 – 1 – 1 8 – 3 – 1
Syracuse 3 – 3 – 0 8 – 4 – 0
Temple 1 – 4 – 0 1 – 10 – 0
Rutgers 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 7 – 2
Boston College 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll
1989 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Miami (FL)   –   11 – 1 – 0
No. 2 Notre Dame   –   12 – 1 – 0
No. 3 Florida State   –   10 – 2 – 0
Northern Illinois   –   9 – 2 – 0
No. 15 Penn State   –   8 – 3 – 1
No. 17 Pittsburgh   –   8 – 3 – 1
No. 21 West Virginia   –   8 – 3 – 1
Syracuse   –   8 – 4 – 0
Southwestern Louisiana   –   7 – 4 – 0
Akron   –   6 – 4 – 1
South Carolina   –   6 – 4 – 1
Virginia Tech   –   6 – 4 – 1
Louisiana Tech   –   5 – 4 – 1
Army   –   6 – 5 – 0
Louisville   –   6 – 5 – 0
East Carolina   –   5 – 5 – 1
Tulsa   –   6 – 6 – 0
Southern Miss   –   5 – 6 – 0
Tulane   –   4 – 8 – 0
Navy   –   3 – 8 – 0
Rutgers   –   2 – 7 – 2
Boston College   –   2 – 9 – 0
Memphis State   –   2 – 9 – 0
Cincinnati   –   1 – 9 – 1
Temple   –   1 – 10 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Mountaineers' 97th overall season and they competed as a Division I-A Independent. The team was led by head coach Don Nehlen, in his tenth year, and played their home games at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. They finished the season with a record of eight wins, three losses and one tie (8–3–1 overall), and earned a Gator Bowl berth against No. 14 Clemson, where they were defeated 27–7.

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Ball StateNo. 17
W 35–1057,866[1]
September 9at MarylandNo. 17
W 14–1045,000[2]
September 16South CarolinaNo. 12
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
W 45–2166,015[3]
September 23at LouisvilleNo. 9
W 30–2139,132[4]
September 30No. 10 PittsburghNo. 9
T 31–3168,938[5]
October 7Virginia TechNo. 9
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV (rivalry)
L 10–1262,563[6]
October 21CincinnatiNo. 18
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
W 69–347,176[7]
October 28at Boston CollegeNo. 15
W 44–3032,000[8]
November 4at No. 16 Penn StateNo. 13
L 9–1985,911[9]
November 11RutgersNo. 19
  • Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
W 21–2061,336[10]
November 23at SyracuseNo. 17
W 24–1746,757[11]
December 30vs. No. 14 Clemson*No. 17
L 7–2782,911[12]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[13]

Season summary

[edit]

Coming off of its first ever 11-win season and with junior Major Harris returning to lead a potent offense, West Virginia entered the 1989 season ranked 17th in the AP Poll and with high expectations. The Mountaineers started the season accordingly, racing to a 4–0 record and to #9 in the AP Poll. In Week 5 against #10 Pitt, however, West Virginia fell victim to another memorable collapse in the Backyard Brawl. Trailing 31–9 in the 4th quarter, Pitt scored 22 unanswered points and kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired to force a 31–31 tie.[14] The Mountaineers would suffer another heartbreaking result the following week with a 12–10 home loss to Virginia Tech, as well as a 19–9 loss to #16 Penn State in State College. Despite those disappointing defeats, WVU finished the regular season at 8–2–1, a #17 ranking in the AP Poll, and a trip to the Gator Bowl to face #14 Clemson. The Mountaineers faltered, however, losing 27–7 and finished the season at 8–3–1 with a #21 ranking in the final AP Poll.[15]

Roster

[edit]
1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 88 Reggie Rembert Sr
WR 2 Greg Dykes Sr
QB 9 Major Harris Jr
WR 11 Wes Jackson Jr
WR 15 James Jett Fr
WR 16 David Miers Sr
QB 16 Chris Gray So
QB 17 James Breitbeil So
FB 20 Craig Taylor Sr
FB 36 Aaron Evans Jr
RB 33 Eugene Napoleon Sr
OT 72 Jack Linn Sr
G 74 Larry Cook Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 11 Darrell Whitmore So
DT 61 Mike Fox Sr
DE 87 Renaldo Turnbull Sr
LB 49 Chris Haering Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Statistical leaders

[edit]

All stats are courtesy of WVUStats.com unless otherwise cited.[16]

  • Passing:
Major Harris - 142/245, 2,058 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
  • Rushing:
Major Harris - 155 carries, 936 yards, 6.0 average per carry, six touchdowns
Garrett Ford, Jr. - 148 carries, 733 yards, 5.0 average per carry, six touchdowns
  • Receiving:
Reggie Rembert - 47 receptions, 850 yards, 11 touchdowns
  • Interceptions:
Preston Waters - 7 interceptions

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Credibility; Second half 'reality' beats BSU". The Muncie Star. September 3, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Offense stalls as Terp upset bid fails". The Sunday Star. September 10, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "W. Virginia runs USC awry 45–21". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. September 17, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Big plays put Mountaineers over the top of Cardinals". Messenger-Inquirer. September 24, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Pitt rallies from 22 back to tie". Wisconsin State Journal. October 1, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Virginia Tech gets a giant kick out of Thomas' 4 FGs". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 8, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Harris, Mountaineers end slump, rip Bearcats 69–3". The Palm Beach Post. October 22, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "West Virginia gets a scare in 44–30 win". The Pittsburgh Press. October 29, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Lions jump on Major mistakes". The Times Leader. November 5, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "WVU's 21–20 win deflates Rutgers". The Pittsburgh Press. November 12, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "West Virginia slips past Syracuse". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. November 24, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Clemson harasses Harris in coasting to Gator Bowl victory". The Orlando Sentinel. December 31, 1989. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "1989 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  14. ^ Antonik, John; Scuillo, Sam (December 1, 2007). "Tales from the Backyard Brawl". MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Athletics). Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  15. ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1989 Schedule". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics). Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  16. ^ DeVault, Mark. "WVU 1989 Statistics". WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics). Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
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