West Virginia’s Kicking Legacy: A Look at Memorable Field Goals
MORGANTOWN, WV — The West Virginia Mountaineers have a storied history of nail-biting victories, often decided by the unmistakable sound of a field goal splitting the uprights. Highlighting this legacy are instances from the past where field goals not only clinched games but defined seasons.
In 1991, Ripley’s Mark Johnson secured a 10-9 victory over Temple with a late field goal, while Johnny Thackston’s fourth-quarter kick led West Virginia to a 10-7 win against Richmond in 1959. These moments exemplify how crucial special teams can be in college football, often changing the course of games when time is running low.
The Mountaineers boast a rich repertoire of game-winning field goals throughout their history. Notable kickers like Armin Mahrt and Malcolm Scott etched their names in history with fourth-quarter kicks that defeated rivals in earlier decades. However, none captured fans’ hearts quite like Tyler Bitancurt, a prodigy discovered by Paul Woodside, who delivered iconic game-winning field goals.
Bitancurt’s most memorable moment occurred during the heated 2009 clash against Pitt. In a tightly-contested matchup with only two touchdowns scored, Bitancurt’s crucial 43-yard field goal sealed a 19-16 victory for West Virginia. His kick narrowly avoided a deflection from Pitt’s Jonathan Baldwin, marking a high-pressure moment that defined the game. Mountaineer coach Bill Stewart, initially reluctant to rely on field goals, found himself celebrating the crucial points that secured a win against the eighth-ranked team in the nation.
This victory also paved the way for Cincinnati to earn its second Big East regular season title and a subsequent appearance in the 2010 Sugar Bowl, showcasing the ripple effects of a decisive moment in college football.
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