1993 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
Encyclopedia
The 1993 West Virginia Mountaineers
football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 (7–0 conference record) and won the school's first Big East Conference
championship. The team traveled to the , where they lost to the Florida Gators, 41–7. WVU finished the season 11–1.
began with an uncertainty at quarterback. Both Darren Studstill
and Jake Kelchner
were up for the spot, but coach Don Nehlen
decided to have a rotation each game while playing freshman Chad Johnston a few games. Star running back Adrian Murrell
was replaced that season by Robert Walker and All-American center Mike Compton was replaced by Dale Williams
. Guard Rich Braham
provided help to Walker in the run game. Young Aaron Beasley
and Mike Logan led the secondary.
The first game against was an easy win. The next was against the University of Maryland. Kelchner passed for 270 yards and Harold Kidd grabbed a big interception to seal the win, 42–37. The next week, the Mountaineers blew by the 35–3 in Morgantown.
The next week was a close win against , 14–13. The Mountaineers won, even though turning the ball over five times, when the Tech kicker missed a 44-yard field goal. In that game, Mike Collins returned a fumble 97 yards for a score and Vann Washington had an interception taken 27-yards for another score. The next game was against the University of Louisville
, one of the toughest games of the season. Led by Brian Brohm
's older brother, Jeff Brohm
, the Cardinals were undefeated like the Mountaineers. But Robert Walker score three times, and led the Mountaineers to a close 36–34 win. The win led the Mountaineers into the Top 15 in the country. The next game, against the University of Pittsburgh
, had a close first quarter. But Robert Walker rushed for over 150 yards and Mike Baker caught a couple of touchdown passes to pull away and win, 42–21.
The next game was a revengeful game. In 1992, West Virginia played the , when a massive fight occurred. In a controversial decision, three Mountaineers were ejected, while only one Orangeman was ejected. That led to the Syracuse win. In the '93 version of the game, after missing two field goals, the Mountaineers were up 7–0 at halftime. But in the second half, the Mountaineer exploded. After a 90-yard run by Robert Walker, the Mountaineers won 43–0.
After beating and , the Mountaineers were 9–0. In one of the biggest games in Mountaineer history, the #4 University of Miami
came to Morgantown and played before a record Mountaineer Field crowd of 70,222, a mark that still stands today. The game was close, but Robert Walker won the game when he took a run to the sideline in the fourth quarter. Up 17–14, with four minutes left, Jake Kelchner threw a 40-yard bomb to seal the game.
After the game, Jake Kelchner injured his arm and Vann Washington had leg problems. The next game was against ,who was coming off an upset win of their own over then #1 Notre Dame, the Mountaineers were almost taken by surprise. Down 11 points with 13 minutes left, Don Nehlen told defensive coordinator Steve Dunlap
to put in Keith Jones
and Mike Logan. The next play, Jones hit the fullback, resulting in a fumble which was recovered by the Mountaineers. Darren Studstill drove 63-yards downfield, and hit Eddie Hill
for one of the greatest scores in West Virginia history. West Virginia finished the season 11–0, their second undefeated season.
Coach Don Nehlen said of the game, "We had wanted to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl
as the only two undefeated teams, but the Bowl Coalition
didn't like the match. Instead, we were slotted to play Texas A&M
in the . Instead, the Sugar Bowl paid more money so the conference and administration wanted us to play Florida. If we wanted the best chance to win, we should have taken the Cotton; playing a slower, more physical team outdoors would have worked to our advantage a lot more than playing those Florida speed-burners indoors on a smooth surface."
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 (7–0 conference record) and won the school's first Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
championship. The team traveled to the , where they lost to the Florida Gators, 41–7. WVU finished the season 11–1.
Schedule
season
The 1993 season1993 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State crowned national champions, but not without controversy.Under the Bowl Coalition, undefeated Big 8 champ and #2 ranked Nebraska hosted ACC champ and #1 ranked Florida State in the Orange Bowl...
began with an uncertainty at quarterback. Both Darren Studstill
Darren Studstill
Darren Studstill is a former starting quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1990s. He was part of the mountaineers undefeated 1993 team. In 1994 he was drafted 191st overall in the 6th round by the Dallas Cowboys to play in the defensive backfield. He is now pursuing a career in...
and Jake Kelchner
Jake Kelchner
Jake Kelchner is a former starting quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1990s. He was part of the mountaineers undefeated 1993 team...
were up for the spot, but coach Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen
Don Nehlen is a former American football player and coach. He was head football coach at Bowling Green State University and at West Virginia University . Nehlen retired from coaching college football in 2001 with a career record of 202–128–8 and as the 17th winningest coach in...
decided to have a rotation each game while playing freshman Chad Johnston a few games. Star running back Adrian Murrell
Adrian Murrell
Adrian Byran Murrell is a former professional American football running back who was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft after playing collegiately for the West Virginia Mountaineers...
was replaced that season by Robert Walker and All-American center Mike Compton was replaced by Dale Williams
Dale Williams
Dale Williams is a former Welsh football player.Beginning his career as a trainee with Yeovil Town, Williams played just four minutes for the Somerset club, after coming on for Arron Davies in the 0–0 draw against Colchester United on 6 May 2006, the last day of the 2005–06...
. Guard Rich Braham
Rich Braham
Rich Braham is a former National Football League center who played for the Cincinnati Bengals.-High school career:Braham attended University High School in Morgantown, West Virginia, where he lettered in both football and basketball...
provided help to Walker in the run game. Young Aaron Beasley
Aaron Beasley
Aaron Bruce Beasley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He played collegially at West Virginia University...
and Mike Logan led the secondary.
The first game against was an easy win. The next was against the University of Maryland. Kelchner passed for 270 yards and Harold Kidd grabbed a big interception to seal the win, 42–37. The next week, the Mountaineers blew by the 35–3 in Morgantown.
The next week was a close win against , 14–13. The Mountaineers won, even though turning the ball over five times, when the Tech kicker missed a 44-yard field goal. In that game, Mike Collins returned a fumble 97 yards for a score and Vann Washington had an interception taken 27-yards for another score. The next game was against the University of Louisville
1993 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 1993 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 1993 college football season. The team played their home games in Cardinal Stadium and were Liberty Bowl champions.-Schedule:-Team Players in the NFL:...
, one of the toughest games of the season. Led by Brian Brohm
Brian Brohm
Brian Joseph Brohm is an American football quarterback for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
's older brother, Jeff Brohm
Jeff Brohm
Jeffrey Scott Brohm is an Assistant Coach and the Quarterbacks Coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team...
, the Cardinals were undefeated like the Mountaineers. But Robert Walker score three times, and led the Mountaineers to a close 36–34 win. The win led the Mountaineers into the Top 15 in the country. The next game, against the University of Pittsburgh
1993 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
The 1993 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1993 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
, had a close first quarter. But Robert Walker rushed for over 150 yards and Mike Baker caught a couple of touchdown passes to pull away and win, 42–21.
The next game was a revengeful game. In 1992, West Virginia played the , when a massive fight occurred. In a controversial decision, three Mountaineers were ejected, while only one Orangeman was ejected. That led to the Syracuse win. In the '93 version of the game, after missing two field goals, the Mountaineers were up 7–0 at halftime. But in the second half, the Mountaineer exploded. After a 90-yard run by Robert Walker, the Mountaineers won 43–0.
After beating and , the Mountaineers were 9–0. In one of the biggest games in Mountaineer history, the #4 University of Miami
1993 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 1993 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-Team players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:...
came to Morgantown and played before a record Mountaineer Field crowd of 70,222, a mark that still stands today. The game was close, but Robert Walker won the game when he took a run to the sideline in the fourth quarter. Up 17–14, with four minutes left, Jake Kelchner threw a 40-yard bomb to seal the game.
After the game, Jake Kelchner injured his arm and Vann Washington had leg problems. The next game was against ,who was coming off an upset win of their own over then #1 Notre Dame, the Mountaineers were almost taken by surprise. Down 11 points with 13 minutes left, Don Nehlen told defensive coordinator Steve Dunlap
Steve Dunlap
Steve Dunlap is the current assistant head coach and Safeties Coach for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team. Dunlap has been with the Mountaineers on and off throughout his 33 year coaching career on the defensive side of the football...
to put in Keith Jones
Keith Jones
Keith Jones may refer to:*Keith Jones , former American football running back*Keith Jones , English former footballer...
and Mike Logan. The next play, Jones hit the fullback, resulting in a fumble which was recovered by the Mountaineers. Darren Studstill drove 63-yards downfield, and hit Eddie Hill
Eddie Hill
Eddie Hill is a retired American drag racer who won numerous drag racing championships on land and water. Hill had the first run in the four second range , which earned him the nickname "Four Father of Drag Racing." His other nicknames include "The Thrill", "Holeshot Hill", and "Fast Eddie"...
for one of the greatest scores in West Virginia history. West Virginia finished the season 11–0, their second undefeated season.
Sugar Bowl
West Virginia was scheduled to play the Florida Gators in the . The Mountaineers first drive went 80-yards and scored on a pass, then stopped the Gators on their first drive. The next Gator-drive almost went three-and-out, until a personal foul on Steve Perkins gave Florida the momentum. Jake Kelchner was playing a good game, but then Don Nehlen surprised many by putting Studstill in. On the Mountaineers first drive, Studstill threw an interception. Florida ran off with the game after that, winning 41–7.Coach Don Nehlen said of the game, "We had wanted to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl
1994 Orange Bowl
The 1994 Orange Bowl a 1993–1994 college football bowl game was played on January 1, 1994, for the national championship. This 60th edition to the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Florida State Seminoles. Florida State came into the game 11-1, and ranked first in the nation....
as the only two undefeated teams, but the Bowl Coalition
Bowl Coalition
The Bowl Coalition was a predecessor of the Bowl Championship Series that was formed through an agreement among college football bowl games and conferences for the purpose of forcing a national championship game between the top two teams and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions...
didn't like the match. Instead, we were slotted to play Texas A&M
1993 Texas A&M Aggies football team
The 1993 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 10-2 record. The Aggies had a regular season Southwest Conference record of 7-0.-Schedule:-Louisiana State:-Oklahoma:-Missouri:-Texas Tech:-Houston:...
in the . Instead, the Sugar Bowl paid more money so the conference and administration wanted us to play Florida. If we wanted the best chance to win, we should have taken the Cotton; playing a slower, more physical team outdoors would have worked to our advantage a lot more than playing those Florida speed-burners indoors on a smooth surface."