Ye olde notebook:
OK, question for those who follow WVU football: What rushes to your brain when you think of the Miami Hurricanes, who face the Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl?
I'd imagine a) bad boys, b) Tremain Mack and c) Quincy Wilson.
As one who covers the Mountaineers, some of the same thoughts hit this mind.
That's why I had to chuckle when breaking down the upcoming rematch of former Big East peers.
First, Miami certainly had the swagger back in those days. The team was ultra-talented, but used any and all tactics to win.
And guess which team now sits at No. 106 this season in fewest penalties a game. Yep, Miami, averaging 7.25. Navy - which makes sense - is No. 1. WVU is No. 65 at 6.17 a game.
And remember the Mack story, which goes back to 1996? WVU had UM on the ropes at Mountaineer Field. All the Mountaineers had to do was punt the ball and the game was all but over.
Then Mack trucked Brian West's punt with 29 seconds left. The ball bounced into the hands of UM's Jack Hallmon, who handed the ball to Nathaniel Brooks, who scored.
Well, guess which team is tied at No. 2 nationally in blocked punts (three) and No. 5 in blocked kicks (five). Yes sir or ma'am, Miami.
The more things change ...
nnn
A few other notes on the upcoming bowl. First, Miami is known for a couple things this season: quarterback Brad Kaaya and its overall youth under new coach Mark Richt.
Well, some NFL draft analysts have suggested this should be the last college game for Kaaya, who could jump to the pros after the bowl. He has good size at 6-foot-4 and that very well could be the case.
Understand, though, Kaaya basically has the same numbers as WVU's Skyler Howard. In passing efficiency, Howard is No. 24, while Kaaya is No. 28. In passing yards per game, Kaaya is No. 22 (270.8), while Howard is No. 24 (266.2).
(Statistical anomaly: In team passing efficiency, WVU is No. 29 nationally, while Miami is No. 30; In team passing efficiency defense, WVU is No. 32, while Miami is No. 33. Eerie, huh?)
As for that Miami youth, yes, it's impressive. Sophomore Hurricane running back Mark Walton is averaging 88.8 yards per game and was a third-team All-ACC back. Freshman receiver Ahmmon Richards was the third vote-getter in the league's Rookie of the Year voting and second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He too was a third-team pick.
On defense, freshman linebacker Shaquille Quarterman is tied for the team lead in tackles with 79. He was tied for second in ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year voting with - are you ready for this? - fellow freshman and teammate Joe Jackson, a lineman who had 7.5 sacks.
So UM's future is bright. And I'm all but sure they'll wear shades.
nnn
Some interesting names have surfaced in relation to the West Virginia State football opening.
Sources in the know say Alan Fiddler, David Hutchison and Jonas Jackson have all applied or are interested in the Yellow Jackets job.
Fiddler, of course, was a very successful high school coach at Moorefield, winning six Class A titles in two stints there. He also coached at Glenville State College, where he had a 45-32 record, and is now at Patrick Henry High in Virginia.
Hutchison was the most recent head coach at Glenville, where he brought in ex-WVU and Weir High standout Quincy Wilson before getting fired.
Jackson was the head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan for two seasons before moving to Savannah State University as the defensive line coach.
It'll be interesting. Popular interim coach John Pennington is holding down the fort in Institute. Were I athletic director Nate Burton, an applicant would have to knock out the current champ.
nnn
And finally ...
A neat story has emerged from Tampa, Florida, in regard to a former Mountaineer football player.
Keith Tandy, a sixth-round pick of the NFL's Buccaneers in 2012, has come up big in that team's last two games. As in very.
Tandy, 5-10, 202 pounds, came up with interceptions on the final drives to clinch wins for the Bucs against both the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. In last Sunday's game against the Saints, Tandy also deflected a pass that ended as a Brent Grimes pick.
Those plays were important because Tampa Bay has won five straight games and is 8-5 and tied atop the NFC South with Atlanta. The Bucs used to be long shots to land a playoff spot, but now are contenders.
Understand that Tandy has been playing strong safety in place of usual starter Chris Conte, who had a chest injury. Conte is ready to return, but many in Tampa are asking if Tandy should remain the starter.
Guess we'll see when they line up against Dallas.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.