Where does Pat White rank in Big East history?
There are only five regular-season games left in Pat White's magnificent college career. It's time to start thinking about the West Virginia quarterback's legacy, especially as it pertains the Big East.
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| Charles LeClaire/Getty Images | |
| With just a few games left in his college career, it's time to consider Pat White's place in Big East history. |
The conference has only been playing football since 1991 but, thanks in no small part to charter member Miami, has had plenty of superstars. Still, there's never been a player quite like White, who has run for 3,942 yards -- over than 1,900 more rushing yards than any other Big East quarterback in history. He needs 348 yards to become the all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks in NCAA history. He has 8,913 career total yards, which ranks him fourth in Big East history. He could become the all-time leader with another 1,038 yards this season.
And let's not forget that he's a winner. According to West Virginia's game notes, which include eight full pages on White alone, he is one of only four players ever to lead their teams to three straight New Year's bowl game wins. White has led the 2005 Sugar, 2007 Gator and 2008 Fiesta bowl winners, joining Georgia's David Green, Tennessee's Peyton Manning and Nebraska's David Humm to accomplish the trifecta. And White still has a chance to win a fourth.
So is White the best player in Big East history?
First, let's make a list of other top candidates, which is fairly easy to do with only 17 years to review. The list will lean heavily toward offensive skill players, since their statistics are easier to judge. Here are my candidates for best Big East players of all-time:
Quarterbacks:
Donovan McNabb, Syracuse (1995-98): All-time leader with 9,950 career total yards and 96 touchdowns responsible for. Three-time offensive player of the year.
Ken Dorsey, Miami (1999-2002): Second-leading passer of all-time with 9,565 yards and leader with 86 touchdown passes. Also led the Hurricanes through one of the most dominant stretches in recent college football history.
Brian Brohm, Louisville (2005-07): All-time leader in passing yards (9,956) completion percentage (65.7) and 300-yard games (seven).
Michael Vick, Virginia Tech (1999-2000): Didn't stick around long and later had his name tarnished. But was something special while he was around.
Gino Torretta, Miami (1991-92): Won the Heisman Trophy.
Wide receivers:
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03): Had one of the most dominant seasons of all time in 2003, when he caught 92 passes for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns, all Big East records.
Santana Moss, Miami (1997-2000): Had 2,546 yards receiving and has turned out to be a pretty good pro.
Marvin Harrison, Syracuse (1992-95): Had 29 career touchdown catches and went on to even bigger things.
Running backs:
Avon Cobourne, West Virginia (1999-2002): Big East's all-time leader with 5,039 career yards and 28 100-yard games.
Ray Rice, Rutgers (2005-07): Would have broken Cobourne's record had he not left early for the pros. Finished with 4,926 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Steve Slaton, West Virginia (2005-07): White's old running mate piled up 3,923 yards and 50 touchdowns in three seasons.
Willis McGahee, Miami (2001-02): Ran for more than 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons and was dominant in 2002, when he had 1,753 yards and and a Big East record 28 touchdowns.
Defense:
Warren Sapp, DL, Miami
Ed Reed, S, Miami
Ray Lewis, LB, Miami
Dwight Freeney, DL, Syracuse
Corey Moore, DL, Virginia Tech
OK, that's my list of contenders. What I need now is for you to help me. Did I miss anyone who should be here? Where should White rank among these superstars? Hit me with some feedback on my mailbag link to the right, underneath my picture.
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BIG EAST SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final Louisville 22 South Florida 34 Final/2OT Connecticut 33 Notre Dame 30 Final 25 Rutgers 13 Syracuse 31

