Need a reason to travel to the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29?
Here's four good reasons to make the trek to Yankee Stadium to see West Virginia take on former Big East rival Syracuse.
1. Tavon Austin: WVU?has had numerous exciting players, but Austin may very well be at the top of that list.
The Baltimore native simply has been electric. Even when West Virginia's season went from National Championship contenders to a program that was lucky to be in a bowl, Austin remained worth the price of admission.
Whether it be the school-record 344 rushing yards he posted in a one-point loss to Oklahoma, or pass receptions, kickoff returns or punt returns for touchdowns, fans were kept on the edge of their seats as he jitterbugged his way past defenders into open ground, where his Olympic-style speed took him past any would-be tacklers.
2. Geno Smith: There have been some outstanding quarterbacks over the years that have called Morgantown home - Pat White, Marc Bulger, Rasheed Marshall, Major Harris, Jeff Hostetler, and Oliver Luck, just to name a few.
But, none has posted the numbers Smith has put up since taking over the reins of the Mountaineers' offense as a sophomore. Plus, he has accomplished those feats during coaching changes.
Changes that resulted in the Florida native having to learn new offensive schemes while trying to keep the Mountaineers atop their old conference, the Big East, as well as its new home, the Big 12.
Smith never complained, never pointed a finger and never made excuses. The three-year starter simply went out and made every effort to win every game in which he competed.
3. Stedman Bailey: WVU fans are hoping that the Pinstripe Bowl won't represent the final game for Bailey in a Mountaineer uniform.
But, after posting back-to-back outstanding seasons and earning a final three spot for the Biletnikoff Award as the country's top pass-catcher, it would appear that Bailey may follow his dream and bypass his senior season to pursue the NFL.
And, when you think about it, who can blame him? Smith and Austin will be gone as well as three offensive linemen, Shawne Alston, and fellow receiver J.D. Woods. Bailey could return and be the centerpiece of a rebuilding Mountaineer offense or ply his wares on the professional front.
When you think about it, this is really a no-brainer.
4. Josh Jenkins: This one may involve Parkersburg residents only, but it still is a good reason.
Few cities proudly can say four of its native sons played for the gold and blue at the same time.
But, that is the case as Cody Nutter finished his career last year at the Orange Bowl, Matt Lindamood had his career cut a year short following WVU's 70-33 win over Clemson, Michael Molinari has served as a holder and a punter, and Jenkins will see his five-year stay in Morgantown end with the game against the Orange.
Which brings us to yet another reason to travel to the game. If the last two losses to the Orange weren't enough to convince fans, then memories of the 1992 game should have the Mountaineer faithful raring to be on hand.
