Press Article: Memorable Moments in West Virginia Mountaineers’ Kickoff History
MORGANTOWN, WV — The West Virginia Mountaineers football team has a long history of thrilling victories, many of which were sealed by incredible field goals from talented kickers. Notably, in 1991, Mark Johnson’s late field goal secured a narrow 10-9 win over Temple, while in 1959, Johnny Thackston booted a game-clinching kick for a 10-7 victory against Richmond. Although these moments were marked by drama, they were not the only instances of last-second heroics.
Over the years, other notable kickers such as Armin Mahrt, Malcolm Scott, and Rudolph Munk made their mark by delivering crucial field goals in key triumphs, albeit those were likely not kickoffs in the final seconds. Among West Virginia’s most reliable kickers was Tyler Bitancurt. The Springfield, Virginia native became a household name during the memorable 2009 showdown against Pitt at Milan Puskar Stadium, where he scored the game-winning 43-yard field goal. This nail-biter saw only two touchdowns scored between both teams, with Bitancurt’s kick edging out Pitt’s attempts.
The tension was palpable as Mountaineer coach Bill Stewart, determined to secure a touchdown, had to pivot to field goals to clinch the 19-16 victory. "I wanted to win," Stewart reflected after the game, expressing his reluctance to settle for field goals against a nationally-ranked opponent. The win not only secured a crucial victory but also paved the way for Cincinnati to claim its second Big East regular-season title and a trip to the 2010 Sugar Bowl.
West Virginia’s storied kicking history continues to be a significant aspect of its football narrative, reminding fans of the thrill of victory delivered by a well-timed foot.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
