Player of the Year

Player of the Year

By John Antonik for MSNsportsNET.com
December 5, 2007

	Patrick White

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University quarterback Patrick White was named Big East offensive player of the year in voting conducted by league coaches and released today by the conference.

White becomes the first Big East player since Miami’s Ken Dorsey in 2002 to win the award in back-to-back seasons. White, Dorsey, Syracuse’s Donovan McNabb and Miami’s Gino Torretta are the only players in conference history to win the award multiple times.

"I am very proud of Pat and what he has accomplished this season," West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. "He has worked hard both on and off the field and has had an outstanding year. He also has handled success very well throughout his career and in a first-class manner and is deserving of any honor that comes his way."

White led West Virginia to at least a share of the conference title for the fourth time in five years in 2007. The junior from Daphne, Ala., completed 134 of 197 passes for 1,548 yards and 12 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions. He completed 68 percent of his pass attempts.

White also led West Virginia in rushing with 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He accounted for 26 touchdowns as a rusher and a passer.

Joining White on the all-Big East first team from West Virginia were sophomore guard Greg Isdaner on offense, and seniors Keilen Dykes and Eric Wicks on defense – both repeat performers.

Isdaner blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers this season on an offense that averaged 450.5 yards and 38.9 points per game.

Dykes was an anchor in the middle of West Virginia’s 3-3-5 stack defense, accumulating 30 total tackles, four tackles for losses, three sacks and an interception for a touchdown at Syracuse.

Wicks finished fifth on the team in tackles at safety, producing 48 stops to go with seven tackles for losses, two sacks and three interceptions.

South Florida’s George Selvie was named Big East defensive player of the year, Cincinnati’s Kevin Huber was named Big East special teams player of the year, Pitt’s LeSean McCoy was cited as the league’s rookie of the year and Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly was awarded coach of the year.

White, Rutgers’ Ray Rice and Louisville’s Gary Barnidge were unanimous picks on offense and Selvie, Pitt’s Scott McKillop and Cincinnati’s Mike Mickens and Haruki Nakamura were unanimous picks on defense.

West Virginia’s Darius Reynaud, Mike Dent, Steve Slaton and Pat McAfee were named to the all-Big East offensive second team, while Johnny Dingle and Marc Magro were named to the conference’s second defensive unit.

Ryan Stanchek, a first-team all-Big Easst pick last year, was not included on either teams.

"Ryan had an outstanding season and deserves to be honored for it," Rodriguez said. "He was one of our leaders on the offensive line this season and in my opinion played at an all-conference level."

All-Big East First Team Offense

WR, Harry Douglas, Louisville, Sr.
WR, Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers, Jr.
OT, Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh, Sr.
OT, Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers, Sr.
OG, Donald Thomas, Connecticut, Sr.
OG, Greg Isdaner, West Virginia, So.
C, Eric Wood, Louisville, Jr.
TE, Gary Barnidge *, Louisville, Sr.
QB, Patrick White *, West Virginia, Jr.
RB, Ray Rice *, Rutgers, Jr.
RB, LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh, Fr.
K, Art Carmody, Louisville, Sr.
KR/PR, Max Suter, Syracuse, Fr.

All-Big East First Team Defense

DL, Terrill Byrd, Cincinnati, Jr.
DL, Eric Foster, Rutgers, Sr.
DL, George Selvie *, USF, So.
DL, Keilen Dykes, West Virginia, Sr.
LB, Danny Lansanah, Connecticut, Sr.
LB, Scott McKillop *, Pittsburgh, Jr.
LB, Ben Moffitt, USF, Sr.
CB, Mike Mickens *, Cincinnati, Jr.
CB, Mike Jenkins, USF, Sr.
S, Haruki Nakamura *, Cincinnati, Sr.
S, Eric Wicks, West Virginia, Sr.
P, Kevin Huber, Cincinnati, Jr.

* unanimous selection