TBT: Canute Curtis

Canute Curtis played under Coach Don Nehlen from 1993-1996. He was a 6’2 250 rush linebacker in Steve Dunlap’s 4-3 zone blitz scheme.

Known to the Mountaineer faithful as “The Amityville Horror”, Canute made a living in the opponent’s backfield.

In 1996, he set the single-season sack record at WVU with 16.5 sacks, was named a consensus All American and a finalist for the Dick Butkus and Bronco Nagurski awards. Canute also holds the career sacks record at WVU with 34.5 sacks. Curtis made 192 tackles (126 solo), six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 15 pass breakups in his career, also making 35 consecutive starts.

Canute started his 1996 campaign off by harassing the Pitt quarterback Matt Lytle, in the season opener at Pittsburgh, racking up 2.5 sacks. He ended the game with 4 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble shutting out the Panthers 34-0. His biggest game that year and in his career was probably in West Lafeyette against Purdue, finishing his night with 6 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception leading the Mountaineers to a 20-6 victory.