West Virginia tailback Noel Devine is one of 16 semifinalists for the 73rd Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year, announced today by the Maxwell Football Club president Ron Jaworski.

The announcement of the winner of the Maxwell Award will be made during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show that will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday December 10, 2009. Three finalists for the award will be announced on November 23, 2009 and a second round of voting will take place at that time.

The winner of the 73rd Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner, to be held on Friday March 5, 2010 at the Harrah's Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Devine, a Fort Myers, Fla., native, is 10th nationally with 119.2 rushing yards per game, which also puts him at second in the Big East. His 2,870 career rushing yards rank fifth on WVU's all-time list.

The Phil Steele all-Big East midseason first team player has rushed for 100 yards or better in five of WVU's eight games this season, including a career-high 220 yards on 20 carries against Colorado. He has 13 career 100-yard performances, and is averaging 6.6 yards per carry for his career.

Joining Devine on the Maxwell Award list are Jahvid Best of California, Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Toby Gerhart of Stanford, Mark Ingram of Alabama, Case Keenum of Houston, Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan, Dion Lewis of Pitt, Ryan Matthews of Fresno State, Colt McCoy of Texas, Kellen Moore of Boise State, Christian Ponder of Florida State, Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State, Jordan Shipley of Texas, Golden Tate of Notre Dame and Tim Tebow of Florida.