West Virginia University Head Football Coach Bill Stewart – Sunday, August 3
On the second day of practice
I was really pleased today watching our defensive line. I thought our
defensive line did a nice job. They have been working on twists, which
are tough, and they did a nice job. A couple times, they flushed Pat and
pulled off which was nice to see because our offensive line has done
really well too. I saw some nice play out of Scooter Berry and Zac
Cooper, who is fast off the edge, just keeps doing better and better.
You all have to watch our linebackers. Go watch Mortty Ivy, J.T.
Thomas, Reed Williams and Pat Lazear. They all look like boxers doing
their drills. It’s very physical, and they play downhill, which means
they attack, which is really good.
Ellis Lankster made some plays, and he did a great job. Kent Richardson
is showing great leadership, and Quinton Andrews had a big pick on a
play.
Offensively, I think the offensive line had a tremendous day, and they
worked very well. I went down to watch them work on their pass
progression and that was fun to see. Will Johnson keeps progressing and
its fun to watch. They all looked good and it was fun to see.
Patrick (White) did a good job managing the football and had a nice
day. His reads were on target and he saw the whole field. The offensive
line did a great job blocking Pat and that was good to see
At running back, I’m still disappointed, although Terence Kerns stepped
up a bit more. He ran hard and was more knowledgeable today, as he
should be in day two, so that was good.
Alric Arnett had a couple big, big plays, and Wes Lyons and Tito
Gonzales had some nice catches today.
A real pleasant addition is Dorrell Jalloh had a heck of a day in the
slot, and he will be big. Patrick told me earlier that he had a good
summer and maybe Dorrell saw that we needed to move a Jock Sanders or
move a Brandon Hogan somewhere. Dorrell had a nice day, and I was
pleased with what 21 did today.
On Special Teams
Ellis Lankster caught some punts and did well. Noel did a really nice
job in kickoff returns, and we’re going to work on that tomorrow so he
can do it live. He is just such a natural. We have some guys that are
going to be a surprise. Pat McAfee and Scott Kozlowski both punted well
today.
On offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek
He told me he could go today, and I told him he wasn’t. We don’t want
any lingering illnesses. We know what he can do so we don’t push him. I
don’t want to sound like a dictator, but sometimes the players have to
do what we tell them, when we tell them without asking why we tell them.
We’re thinking of his best interest and sometimes they have don’t have
to understand the madness.
Brandon Hogan looked good. Patrick (White) made a good read and Hogan
didn’t know the play, but he broke on it and he was very close to making
a very good play. Pat White is coming with his passing game and I’m
really pleased.
On possible homesickness of the freshmen
We hug them up, we have a big brother program and the seniors are put
with a freshman. The senior brings them around to their classes, tells
them where to go and where not to go and helps them out. That has always
been a staple of WVU football. Well, Dave Johnson said to put a junior
with a freshman so they would have them for two years. I thought that
was pretty special. But, you know me, I’m so proud of this senior class,
so what I want to do is give them a junior and a senior to make sure
they have the senior class as well.
On Pat McAfee
He is an absolute fighter and competitor. He is a kicker/punter, and he
is built like a linebacker. He is strong, powerful and a good athlete. I
think the world of him. There is not a better kicker/punter in the
country and I promise you that.
On Pat Liebig
The kid goes home because of his father’s illness. He did the right
thing. His dad made it, he recovered, they sold the business, but he did
what any quality young man would do. It would be an absolute crying
shame (if he is not approved). The Big East has already stamped their
approval two months ago. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope
for the best.
On Junior College defensive end Tevita Finau:
He made a valiant try but he just came up a little short and it kills
me. He was taking on 18, 19 credits a semester and that’s tough. He
needs four classes to graduate, and we’ll look for him in January.
