Man in the Middle
October 25, 2007 09:25 AM | General
October 25, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – On a team where defensive line depth has been an ongoing concern, No. 6 West Virginia looks to have found a solid contributor in redshirt freshman Chris Neild.
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| Freshman Chris Neild earned his first career start last Saturday against Mississippi State.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
Making his first start at nose tackle in the 38-13 Homecoming victory over Mississippi State, Neild performed well, recording two solo tackles and an assisted stop. After film study the defensive staff graded him out at 77 percent. While Neild was relatively pleased with that result, he has also seen many things on film that he must improve upon as the season progresses.
“For the first game I think it was all right. I was thinking I would grade out at about a B- or a C+ so that sounds about right. I have to shoot my hands a lot better. I think I came off both feet pretty well most of the game but shooting hands is a big thing,” Neild said. “As far as letting go of the center, I did that a couple times. They came off on a quick count and I kind of lost him so I have to work on that to be ready at all times.”
The decision to start Neild wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction from the Mountaineer coaching staff. With Scooter Berry limited with a knee injury, they prepared Neild throughout the off-week to be ready to play nose tackle, moving Keilen Dykes to Berry’s usual defensive end spot.
“During the off-week weekend he threw me in with the ones early in practice. I just went along with it during the off-week during practice and it all came through,” Neild said. “(Bill Kirelawich) put me in there early and I kind of got used to working with Dykes and Dingle. We kind of fit well together.”
Neild talked about the challenge that comes with holding down the point of the defense as a nose guard in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 scheme.
“It’s kind of a different position. I think it’s one of the toughest on this defense. You have to be able to help the linebackers make plays. You have to know where you’re going at all times,” Neild said “If the blitz is coming from the left you have to go to the right. It is a different position than I’m used to but I think I’m adjusting to it pretty well.”
Neild says that as a nose guard he would prefer to attack a bigger lineman as opposed to a smaller, more athletic one. However, in the West Virginia’s defense he is normally staring two guys in the face instead of just one.
“I prefer a bigger guy that is my size. I feel like I will be faster than him. If it’s a pass play I feel like I can move around him quicker,” Neild said. “Every play I normally have two guys on me anyway so I always hope for a pass so I can freelance a little bit and see what I can do.”
As he readies himself for his second start this Saturday at Rutgers, Neild notes that a second consecutive power running team has made game preparation for this week a little bit easier.
“It does help because you’re used to it one week and it still comes at you the second week. Their center is good and their two guards inside are huge,” Neild said. “One is 6-7. The other is 6-8, 320 pounds so I’m going to have to work hard in there. It’s going to be a big challenge.
Another challenge is stopping Ray Rice. The 5-foot-9-inch, 205-pounder leads the conference with 999 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
“We have to bring him down quick. We have to hit him and just keep hitting him all game. He’s a real tough runner so we are going to have to stick with him all game,” Neild said. “As far as his size and height, he is a small guy but he is really stocky and powerful.”
Last week against South Florida, Rice ran 39 times for 181 yards. He has carried the football at least 34 times in each of the last three games and shows 109 carries for 471 yards and four touchdowns during that span. He is a durable runner that never seems to wear down.
“He is always driving his feet. No one-arm tackles will work this week. It’s going to be a rough game. He’s patient with his reads,” Neild said. “Once he finds that gap he hits it really quick. It’s going to be my job to not let there be any gaps and have the linebackers come fill them where they are.”
While the Scarlet Knights will rely mainly on a power running game, Neild realizes it will be a challenge defending the delay draw and the play action pass - two staples of the Rutgers offense once they get the run game going.
“They are a big front. They like to run the draw. Their main play is the draw so we’re going to have to focus on that a lot,” Neild said. “On play action, Dykes and Dingle on the outside are going to do a good job of pressuring him. As far as I go, I have to just work to cover on the guard, and the linebackers will do the rest.”
The final challenge for Neild this week will be making his first collegiate start away from the friendly confines of Milan Puskar Stadium.
“It’s a little different situation. Sometimes we go game speed in practice but when those fans are out there it’s different,” Neild said. “I have never started an away game before so I can imagine what it’s going to be like on that first snap. I’ve got to block that out. It’s going to be a loud, fun atmosphere.”
