Almost Heaven: A Deep Dive into the 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers’ Magical Football Season

In the rugged hills of Appalachia, football is more than a sport—it’s an identity. Nowhere was that more evident than in 1988, when the West Virginia Mountaineers delivered the most exhilarating and significant season in the program’s history. Under the guidance of head coach Don Nehlen, the Mountaineers stormed to an 11–0 regular season, earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl national title game, and became a symbol of pride for an entire state.

Setting the Stage: Modest Expectations, Big Dreams

The Mountaineers entered the 1988 campaign coming off a mediocre 6–6 season in 1987. While WVU had tasted some success under Nehlen—most notably in 1981 and 1982 with bowl wins over Florida and Oklahoma—no one predicted an undefeated run. WVU wasn’t ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.

But beneath the surface, something was brewing. The coaching staff, led by Nehlen with coordinators Gary Tranquill (offense) and Steve Dunlap (defense), had assembled a unique blend of experience and untapped potential. At the center of that optimism was a sophomore quarterback with an electrifying skill set: Major Harris.

Key Personnel and Philosophies

Major Harris: The Improvisational Genius

From Pittsburgh’s Brashear High School, Harris was recruited by several schools but felt an emotional pull to Morgantown. Though still raw, Harris had rare instincts. His ability to escape pressure, extend plays, and attack defenses both through the air and on the ground made him a nightmare to gameplan against.

Backfield and Skill Positions

• A.B. Brown and Undra Johnson provided a thunder-and-thunder backfield. Brown, a transfer from Pitt, was physical and downhill. Johnson had breakaway ability and vision.

• Reggie Rembert, a future NFL receiver, became Harris’s top target. His size and athleticism made him a mismatch against most defensive backs.

• Keith Winn (TE) and Craig Taylor (FB) rounded out the offensive skill group, offering blocking and pass-catching versatility.

Offensive Line

Led by Jim Gray and Brian Smider, the line was the unsung hero of the season. They protected Harris in Nehlen’s balanced pro-style offense that frequently used rollouts and option looks tailored to Harris’s strengths.

Defense: Fast and Physical

WVU’s 3-4 defense was opportunistic and athletic.

• Bo Orlando (S) and Darrell Whitmore (FS) were ballhawks with a nose for momentum-shifting plays.

• Renaldo Turnbull was an emerging pass rusher and run stopper who’d eventually become a first-round NFL pick.

• Linebackers Chris Haering, Darryl Talley, and Steve Grant played with controlled aggression and discipline.

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Game-by-Game Breakdown

Week 1: vs. Bowling Green – W 62–14

The opener served notice that this team could score at will. Harris accounted for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a first-half blitz. The game plan featured multiple option plays and vertical passing. WVU scored on nine of their first ten possessions.

Week 2: at California – W 35–10

The Mountaineers traveled across the country and delivered a clinic. Harris was dominant early, but the defense made headlines with 3 takeaways and 5 sacks. It was the first sign that WVU’s defensive front could dominate Power Five opponents.

Week 3: vs. Maryland – W 55–24

WVU’s offense was an unstoppable juggernaut. Harris threw for 3 touchdowns and rushed for 2 more. Reggie Rembert had over 120 yards receiving, and the backs each went over 80 yards. This win pushed the Mountaineers into the AP Top 20.

Week 4: at Pitt (Backyard Brawl) – W 31–10

A defining moment. In hostile Three Rivers Stadium, the Mountaineers suffocated Pitt with a swarming defense and won the physical battle. Pitt quarterback Darnell Dickerson was held to under 100 passing yards. WVU fans took over the stadium by the 4th quarter.

Week 5: vs. Virginia Tech – W 22–10

In a rain-soaked, defensive slugfest, WVU’s ground game and special teams shined. Kicker Charlie Baumann hit three field goals. The win highlighted the team’s versatility—able to win shootouts or grind-it-out battles.

1988 #7 West Virginia at Virginia Tech 1 of 1

Week 6: vs. East Carolina – W 30–10

The Pirates were no match. Harris and Johnson led a 250-yard rushing attack. The defense forced three fumbles, and the backups got significant playing time. WVU moved up to #12 in the AP Poll.

Week 7: vs. Boston College – W 59–24

A blowout from the start. Harris posted a career-high 5 total touchdowns. WVU racked up 582 total yards. The defense overwhelmed BC’s young quarterback with blitzes and disguised coverages.

Week 8: vs. Penn State – W 51–30

The signature win of the regular season. The Nittany Lions, ranked #16 and led by Joe Paterno, hadn’t lost to WVU since 1964. In front of a record crowd at Mountaineer Field, Harris delivered his Heisman moment: a twisting, scrambling 26-yard touchdown run that left multiple defenders grasping air. The game was over by halftime, with WVU leading 34–8.

Week 9: at Cincinnati – W 31–9

Coming off the high of Penn State, this was a classic trap game, but the Mountaineers stayed focused. The defense pitched a near shutout for three quarters. Harris sat most of the 4th quarter.

Week 10: at Rutgers – W 35–25

The Scarlet Knights gave WVU a scare early with trick plays and a blocked punt, but Harris calmly led two second-half touchdown drives. WVU clinched a perfect 10–0 record and Top 5 ranking.

Nov 12, 1988 #4 West Virginia at Rutgers 1 of 1

Week 11: vs. #14 Syracuse – W 31–9

Facing future NFL QB Marvin Graves, the Mountaineers dominated on Senior Day. The defense sacked Graves five times, and Harris ran for two touchdowns. The win completed a perfect 11–0 regular season and earned them a Fiesta Bowl berth.

1988 #14 Syracuse at #4 West Virginia 1 of 1

National Championship: Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame

January 2, 1989 – Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 21

It was a matchup between two undefeated powerhouses:

• #1 Notre Dame (11–0)

• #3 West Virginia (11–0)

However, WVU’s dreams were dashed almost immediately. On just the third offensive play, Major Harris suffered a separated shoulder on a designed run. Though he returned, he was a shell of himself—unable to throw with velocity or run effectively.

Other key injuries followed:

• Undra Johnson suffered a knee injury early.

• Reggie Rembert was knocked out after a brutal hit.

Notre Dame, led by Tony Rice, Rocket Ismail, and a dominant defensive line, took advantage. They built a 26–6 lead and controlled possession with a punishing ground game. WVU tried to rally late, but the injuries were too much to overcome.

Season Stats & Honors

• Final Record: 11–1

• Final Ranking: #5 (AP), #5 (Coaches)

• Points Per Game: 37.3

• Points Allowed: 14.2

• Major Harris:

  • 1,915 passing yards, 610 rushing yards

  • 14 passing TDs, 6 rushing TDs

  • Heisman Finish: 5th Place

• Reggie Rembert: 850+ receiving yards, 9 TDs

• Bo Orlando: 6 INTs, 3 forced fumbles

• Renaldo Turnbull: 12 sacks

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The 1988 Mountaineers became icons in West Virginia—a team that brought together coal miners, college students, and generations of fans under one banner.

• Don Nehlen called them the most special group he ever coached.

• Major Harris became a folk hero and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

• The 1988 squad laid the foundation for future WVU success—paving the way for the Rich Rodriguez era and the program’s Big East dominance in the 2000s.

• Even today, the 1988 team is commemorated at Mountaineer Field and celebrated annually.

1988 WVU Football Highlights: The Perfect Gift

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Conclusion: A Season Worth Remembering

The 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers weren’t just undefeated—they were transformative. They shattered expectations, humbled giants like Penn State and Syracuse, and captivated a region. Though the story ended in heartbreak in Tempe, it was a season filled with unforgettable triumph, unbreakable spirit, and undeniable legacy.

In the words of Mountaineer fans everywhere, the 1988 team was not only “Almost Heaven”—they were divine.