| Owen Schmitt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| College | West Virginia |
| Conference | Big East |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Fullback |
| Jersey # | 35 |
| Class | Senior |
| Career | 2005 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 250 pounds (113.4 kg) |
| Nationality |  United States
|
| Born | February 13 1985 Fairfax, Virginia |
Owen Schmitt (born February 13, 1985) is a senior fullback for the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Contents |
Early Football Career
Schmitt played fullback, defensive end, and linebacker at first Paul VI Catholic High School and then Fairfax High School in Virginia. After graduation Schmitt left high school to attend Wisconsin-River Falls. At River Falls, he posted a 1,063 yard and five touchdown performance his freshman year, which earned him Division III all-conference honors.
Collegiate Career
2005 season
The 6-3, 250 pound fullback attended spring practice the next year at West Virginia University. Schmitt walked-on to the Mountaineers' squad, and was the starter for the 2005 season. Schmitt's sophomore season was his breakout year. He blocked for various runners, but after the mid-point of the season, freshman Steve Slaton earned starting duties. Along with quarterback Pat White, Schmitt and Slaton teamed up to make one of the best rushing attacks in the NCAA. Schmitt totaled 380 yards and two scores, while running back Slaton rallied up 1128 yards.
2006 season
The next season, Slaton, White, and Schmitt were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's regional "Big Man On Campus" article. With high expectations, the Mountaineers posted an 11-2 record. Schmitt rushed for 351 yards and 7 scores on the season, also totaling a receiving score. Slaton rushed for 1744 yards, due mainly to Schmitt's blocking. Schmitt's biggest game was in the come-from-behind bowl game win against Georgia Tech, where Schmitt filled in for the injured Steve Slaton, rushing for 109 yards and two scores.
2007 season
Schmitt entered the 2007 season, his senior year, as one of the best fullbacks in the NCAA. Along with teammates Slaton and White, the Mountaineers look to post one of the most explosive offenses and are in the run for the National Championship. Schmitt took many snaps at tight end in spring practice, where head coach Rich Rodriguez lined him up occasionally. [1] Schmitt's first big game of the season came against Maryland when Schmitt rushed four times for 46 yards, including a 44-yard dash early in the 31-14 win. According to ESPN during the Maryland game, Schmitt has 8 career broken facemasks from hits. In the next game against East Carolina, Schmitt rushed for 32 yards on four rushes with two receptions for 9 yards. Against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, Schmitt earned MVP honors for the game with 39 yards on eight rushes for two touchdowns. He also had a 31-yard reception(where he hurdled a defender and rumbled over a defender) and a 27-yard punt that was downed inside the Syracuse ten-yard line on a trick play. In the 28-23 victory over #22 Cincinnati, Schmitt rushed for 19 yards on six carries, including the first score of the ballgame with a 4-yard touchdown rush. Now Owen has 10 broken facemasks, coming off of the Louisville and Cincinnati games. Unfortunately West Virginia suffered a heartbreaking loss to Pitt the last game of the season which knocked them out of the National Championship picture and matched them up with Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Schmitt was awarded the Ira Errett Rodgers Award and Captain Award at the end of the season by head coach Rich Rodriguez. Schmitt finished out his collegiate career with three rushes for 64 yards and a touchdown in the 48-28 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Schmitt's 57-yard touchdown was a career-long and was a school bowl record before Noel Devine broke the record in the fourth quarter of that same game. It also marked the third consecutive bowl that Schmitt finished with a 50-yard rush. Schmitt accepted an offer to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama following the bowl season.[2]
Personal Life
Schmitt has two brothers, Kyle and Taylor. When at home in Northern Virginia, Owen likes to spend time with his family and friends.
References
- ^ http://westvirginia.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=&script=/content.asp&cid=671555&fid=&tid=&mid=
- ^ http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/200712202384
