Class.

That's what West Virginia University administrators, football coaches, team members and fans showed on Saturday when the Mountaineers entertained the University of connecticut.

The Huskies came to Morgantown reeling from the death of standout player Jasper Howard.

Rather than simply recognize the situation with the obligatory moment of silence, West Virginia went above and beyond the call of duty to let the members of Connecticut's football family know Mountaineers share their pain.

There was the standing ovation as Connecticut took the field and the pregame handshake between the teams. Not to mention WVU's players wearing helmet decals honoring Howard.

Most of all, there was civility in Morgantown, a rare commodity indeed.

ESPN was so impressed with what took place that on its late-night show wrapping up the day in college football, all three of its commentators awarded a special helmet sticker to WVU's fans.

Those fans got to witness a highly entertaining football game.

Of all the games played on Saturday, you couldn't find a better game to watch than WVU-UConn. The Huskies may have played their best game of the year. They had WVU on the ropes. But, thanks to one incredible run by Noel Devine, WVU pulled out a 28-24 win to remain undefeated in the Big East and run its overall record to 6-1.

West Virginia's victory was the highlight of a great weekend of sports. Marshall University bounced back from its loss to WVU by thumping Alabama-Birmingham. Ohio State showed no ill effects from its upset loss at Purdue and put a spanking on visiting Minnesota.

On the prep scene, Parkersburg South and Parkersburg High both kept alive their hopes of reaching the Class AAA playoffs with impressive shutout victories. The Patriots beat a higher-ranked Robert C. Byrd team, 28-0, while the Big Reds dominated a wounded Riverside squad, 42-0. By the way, PHS has now allowed just six points in two weeks.

The Big Reds playoff situation is crystal clear. If PHS beats Capital Friday night at Laidley Field, it will make the playoff field. If Capital wins, the Big Reds can turn in their equipment.

South, meanwhile, needs to win both of its remaining games, at Wheeling Park on Friday night and at John Marshall next week. A loss in either and South would fall to 6-4 and out of the playoff picture.

While we're so used to Williamstown winning we take Yellowjacket victories for granted, Friday's two-point loss on the road to a strong Class AA team in Point Pleasant means both of Williamstown's losses have been by two points to Class AA schools. And I don't care what the ratings, polls, and other pundits say, I'll still be stunned if any team other than Madonna, Wheeling Central or Williamstown wins the Class A state title.

There's that word again -Class. It was on full display on Saturday.

Contact Dave Poe at dpoe@newsandsentinel.com