25 Bobby Moss

Hometown: Huntington, WV

Career: 1952-1955

Record: 31-7, Bowl Record: 0-1

Bobby Moss is arguably the best football player to ever come out of Huntington, WV. He was big running back, standing 6’1”, 200 lbs, giving West Virginia a great compliment rusher to Joe Marconi. Moss would see immediate playing time during his freshman season in 1952. He would see increasing carries through his sophomore and junior seasons. Moss would really make a name for himself during 1955 as the featured rusher for the Mountaineers. Moss would stack up 807 yards on just 98 carries for an average of 8.2 yards per carry, a Mountaineers record.  Moss’ stellar senior season earned him an All-Southern Conference selection. Upon graduation, it appeared as though Moss would follow Huff, Bosley, Marconi, Lamone, and other Mountaineers into the NFL. Moss would be drafted in the 1956 draft by the Cleveland Browns, but would spurn the Browns, joining the U.S. Navy. Moss dedicated his life to Naval service for the next 26 years, serving in the Vietnam War. You cannot help but admire a man that turns down a lucrative pro career in favor of serving his country. Moss is a truly great American. Befitting of a man of honor, Moss was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame and named to the WVU All-1950s team.

Memorable Game: During Moss’ breakout senior season, the Mountaineers were on a roll. They had swelled their record to 4-0, earning a top ten ranking in the polls. The Mountaineers would face off against their old nemesis Penn State in week 5 of the season. West Virginia was enjoying a two game winning streak against the Nittany Lions and looked to extend the streak. Bobby Moss would make sure the Mountaineers got past the pesky Lions. Moss would give Penn State’s defense headaches as he cut through the gaps in the line to make big runs for the Mountaineers. Moss would score a pair of rushing touchdowns on the day. West Virginia added another touchdown to Moss’ to beat the Nittany Lions by a final score of 21-7. The win gave West Virginia a three game winning streak against Penn State (only winning streak against Penn State in school history).

Competition: Moss is not only in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, but he is also a veteran. Those credentials alone are more than enough to win the selection for #25. Other notables for this spot include: Mike Collins, Darwin Cook, and Lawrence Drumgoole.

Teaser: Tomorrow’s selection is yet another WVU Sports Hall of Famer. He hails from Montgomery, AL. This running back was a smooth operator, able to run, catch, and even throw on occasion. This player could do it all for the Mountaineers. Speaking of a smooth customer from (or in) Alabama, take a look at a clip from my guilty pleasure movie: My Cousin Vinny.