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MORGANTOWN -- When he entered high school, football was not even on his radar. Fast forward nine years and he leaves as one of the finest offensive linemen in WVU football history.
Colton McKivitz played his final home game Saturday. And while Senior Day, as well as the season, didn't go as the 6-foot-7, 317-pounder would have hoped, the former Union Local standout has etched his named in Mountaineer lore.
When he took the field against Oklahoma State, along with 21 fellow seniors, it marked a record 46th start for McKivitz at offensive tackle. A streak of that duration is a reflection of talent, durability, dedication and toughness (physical and mental).
McKivitz embodies all of those qualities.
While dominating on the field, he is one of the most soft-spoken and humble individuals you will ever meet.
His amazing collegiate success is made even more special by the fact he never played the sport until his sophomore year in high school. McKivitz attended East Richland Christian as a freshman, a school that does not field football. He opted to transfer to nearby Union Local as a sophomore, a move that has paid countless dividends.
"Football is the big reason I transferred to Union Local," he said. "Believe or not, my mom is the one who really got me interested in football."
The Jacobsburg native toyed with the idea of testing the NFL Draft waters after last season. He opted to hone his impressive skills one more season while moving from right to left tackle. He was tabbed pre-season first-team All-Big 12. His play this fall will likely make that prediction come to fruition.
"I wanted to stay and experience the culture of Coach (Neal) Brown and what he is building. Overall this year, I think I have played well, but there is always room for improvement. I believe that if it is not perfect then it is not your best. The game deserves your best every day," McKivitz said. "The move to left tackle has has been an experience and something that I have gotten better at as the season has went along. (Saturday), I played good but I wouldn't say I played great. It is tough to lose at home on Senior Day. It stings, but I look at it is that we have one more game. Next Friday's game (TCU) will be important for me and all the other seniors."
McKivitz has been a two-time All-Big 12 honorable-mention selection and a four-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree. He already earned his college degree.
The former All-Ohioan received a special honor this summer as he adorned the cover of the Athlon Sports Big 12 season preview magazine.
McKivitz will undoubtedly be selected in April's NFL Draft. He has already been invited to the NFL Combine, set for this February in Indianapolis.
So with one game remaining in a remarkable collegiate career, how does McKivitz look back at his five years in Morgantown?
"I never expected to play college football, so 47 starts looks pretty nice. I also can rub it into T.O. (Tyler Orlosky), having one more start than him," he said. "What's also nice is having my name down on the board in the weight room. That's one of my shining moments here, to twice be named Iron Mountaineer.
"That's the legacy I wanted to leave, to be a hard worker who would do anything for the team. If they want to call me 'The Dude,' whatever, but my legacy is as a guy who did whatever he could and played his hardest."
BUBBA'S EER BITS
∫ Saturday's attendance was 46,022, the smallest home crowd of the season. It was due to WVU students being on Thanksgiving break combined by crappy weather.
∫ The Mountaineers failed to win a home conference game this season.
∫ WVU's 4-7 mark could easily be 7-4 as the Mountaineers had solid chances to reverse losses to Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma State.
∫ WVU did a nice job of slowing Chuba Hubbard, who entered the game as the nation's leading rusher with over 1,700 yards. He finished with just 106 yards on 26 attempts.
∫ Jarret Doege enjoyed another solid start at QB for the Mountaineers. The Bowling Green transfer completed 28 of38 tosses for 307 yards and a TD. He was victimized by four dropped passes.
∫ Nine different Mountaineers caught passes on the day. George Campbell led the way with five grabs for 92 yards.