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Stewart makes debut as West Virginia hosts Villanova

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:15 AM Villanova at No. 8 West Virginia, 3:30 pm EDT

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (Ticker) -- After a nasty split with former coach Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia is ready to begin a new era.

With expectations still high in Morgantown, the eighth-ranked Mountaineers officially begin the Bill Stewart regime Saturday when they host Villanova of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Stewart, the Mountaineers' tight ends coach last year, was named interim head coach after Rodriguez bolted for Michigan. He got the job on a full-time basis the day after he guided West Virginia to a 48-28 victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, signing a five-year contract.

The hiring of Stewart, who posted an 8-25 record in three seasons at Virginia Military Institute in his only previous head-coaching experience, was not well received in all circles. But he inherits an immensely talented team that begins the season as the heavy favorite in the Big East Conference.

Dual threat quarterback Pat White, who amassed more than 3,000 yards of total offense last year, turned down the NFL to return for his senior season. Running back Steve Slaton did leave early, but sophomore tailback Noel Devine is ready to fill the void left by his departure.

White and Devine will be running behind one of the nation's top offensive lines, meaning the Mountaineers should again have a potent running game.

West Virginia was in position to play for the national championship last year before suffering an inexplicable 13-9 home loss to a mediocre Pittsburgh team in its regular-season finale.

Villanova, which returns 17 starters from last year's 7-4 team, was picked to finish fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association.