It was subtle, which is ironic because what prompted it was quite the opposite, but perhaps the best moment of spring came from a Noel Devine interview Saturday.

He’d had a few of his electric moments in the scrimmage, but submitted a rather pedestrian play when he caught a short pass and ricocheted into the end zone from three yards out, despite the best efforts of the seriously surging Nate Sowers.

Safety Nate Sowers put a big hit on Devine trying to keep him out of the end zone, but as Devine would say when it was brought up later, “It wasn’t big enough, was it?”

Take that, Mr. Sowers!

Perhaps more appetizing was something Devine would say a little later.

Some might argue Devine has grown and benefited greatly from the company he’s kept in WVU’s backfield. As a freshman, he was a breathtaking accomplice for Steve Slaton and reaped the rewards of having only a share of the defense’s attention. When Devine starred in the Fiesta Bowl, Owen Schmitt was leveling defenders to clear a path and the Mountaineers had Oklahoma spinning with reverses, fullback dives and quarterback draws.

That quarterback, Pat White, was there for both seasons. He, too, attracted the majority of the focus from the other side and danced his way to the NCAA record for career rushing yards at his position. He was a game-changer despite defenses that didn’t want him to change the game.

So maybe that explains some of Devine’s thrilling runs and gaudy statistics. Maybe that spells change this season. 

Or maybe, as Devine truly believes, he’ll become a better player now with Slaton long gone and a new quarterback replacing White.

“With Pat there the defenses keyed on his legs,” Devine said. “It wasn’t that he didn’t throw well; he just was so dangerous as a runner.”

That meant eight or nine in the box and if that slowed White down, it did the same for Devine.

“Jarrett’s a different quarterback,” Devine said.

“I guess the defense is going to have to respect my arm,” Brown said.

If they have seven in the box, that should open up some running lanes for Devine.