1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football Independent 21 8–3–1 Don Nehlen 10th Option Mountaineer Field Gator Bowl L 7–27 vs. Clemson The 1989 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University as an independent during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by tenth-year head coach Don Nehlen, the Mountaineers compiled a record of 8–3–1 with a loss to Clemson in the Gator Bowl. West Virginia played home games at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. Schedule 1989 AP Eastern September 2 w 17 Ball State Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV 35–10 57,866 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-credibility-second-half/140137511/ The Muncie Star Credibility; Second half 'reality' beats BSU September 3, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com September 9 w y 17 Maryland Byrd Stadium College Park, MD rivalry 14–10 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-offense-stalls-as-terp/140137632/ The Sunday Star Offense stalls as Terp upset bid fails September 10, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com September 16 w 12 South Carolina Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV 45–21 66,015 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-w-virginia-run/140137765/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution W. Virginia runs USC awry 45–21 September 17, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com September 23 w y 9 Louisville Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY 30–21 39,132 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-big-plays-put-mountai/140137869/ Messenger-Inquirer Big plays put Mountaineers over the top of Cardinals September 24, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com September 30 t 9 Pittsburgh 10 Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV Backyard Brawl 31–31 68,938 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pitt-rallies-fro/140138026/ Wisconsin State Journal Pitt rallies from 22 back to tie October 1, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 l 9 Virginia Tech Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 10–12 62,563 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-virginia-tech-g/140138174/ The Akron Beacon Journal Virginia Tech gets a giant kick out of Thomas' 4 FGs October 8, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com October 21 w 18 Cincinnati Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV 69–3 47,176 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-harris-mountaineers/140138397/ The Palm Beach Post Harris, Mountaineers end slump, rip Bearcats 69–3 October 22, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 w y 15 Boston College Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA 44–30 32,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-west-virginia-gets/140138611/ The Pittsburgh Press West Virginia gets a scare in 44–30 win October 29, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 l y 13 Penn State 16 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 9–19 85,911 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-lions-jump-on-major-mis/140138758/ The Times Leader Lions jump on Major mistakes November 5, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com November 11 w 19 Rutgers Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV 21–20 61,336 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-wvus-2120-win-def/140138909/ The Pittsburgh Press WVU's 21–20 win deflates Rutgers November 12, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 w y 17 Syracuse Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY rivalry 24–17 46,757 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-west-virginia-s/140139114/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram West Virginia slips past Syracuse November 24, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com December 30 l y y 17 Clemson 14 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl 7–27 82,911 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-clemson-harasses-ha/140139255/ The Orlando Sentinel Clemson harasses Harris in coasting to Gator Bowl victory December 31, 1989 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com1989 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC February 2, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/west-virginia/1989-schedule.html 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 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.Tales from the Backyard Brawl http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives Antonik, John Scuillo, Sam MSN Sportsnet (West Virginia University Athletics) December 1, 2007 January 13, 2012 December 4, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071204174809/http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=11808&cat=exclusives dead 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.WVU 1989 Schedule http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989 DeVault, Mark WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics) January 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120406111511/http://wvustats.com/football/schedule.php?team_id=308&season=1989 2012-04-06 dead Roster 1989 West Virginia Mountaineers f 2 Sr Greg Dykes WR 3 Sr Eugene Napoleon RB 9 Jr Major Harris QB 11 Jr Wes Jackson WR 15 Fr James Jett WR y 16 Sr David Miers WR 16 So Chris Gray QB 17 So James Breitbeil QB 20 Sr Craig Taylor FB 32 Fr Garrett Ford, Jr. RB 36 Jr Aaron Evans FB 72 Sr Jack Linn OT y 74 Jr Larry Cook G 77 Fr Mike Compton American football G C y 88 Sr Reggie Rembert WR y 4 So Steve Grant LB y 11 So Darrell Whitmore DB 61 Sr Mike Fox Mike Fox (American football) DT y 87 Sr Renaldo Turnbull DE y 44 Sr Roger Dixon MG 46 Jr E. J. Wheeler LB 47 Fr Gary Suda LB 48 Jr Rob Yachini LB 49 Sr Chris Haering LB *Don Nehlen Statistical leaders All stats are courtesy of WVUStats.com unless otherwise cited.DeVault Mark WVU 1989 Statistics http://wvustats.com/football/season.php?team_id=308&season=1989 WVU Stats (West Virginia University Athletics) January 17, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120525043557/http://www.wvustats.com/football/season.php?season=1989&team_id=308 2012-05-25 dead 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 West Virginia Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football seasons West Virginia Mountaineers football