Football: Day Six Player/Coach Quotes
August 07, 2008 12:47 PM | General
August 7, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Coach Bill Stewart and player quotes following Thursday morning's practice:
Head Coach Bill Stewart
On this morning’s session
We had a pretty spirited practice this morning. We did some situational drills with the special teams, and we had some nice work there. Offense versus defense, again, I thought that the offense did a pretty good job. In the two-minute drill, the defense thumped us today, and they did an outstanding job.
Alric Arnett keeps making plays on offense, and Patrick (White) made some really good plays. I thought Noel Devine was very good again today, on top of his game, and I was really proud of the offensive line. They did well with their assignments- their footwork and the little things they are doing, it looks really good.
On defense
The defense again, Ellis Lankster is really stepping up, and I’m really pleased and proud of him. Brandon Hogan had another good day, and Kent Richardson had a good day so overall, it was great.
On the linebackers
J.T. Thomas, Reed Williams and Mortty (Ivy), there is just so much competition over there, and they all get along well so it’s very healthy. I was really pleased to see that.
On Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee punted the ball very well today, and Adam Hughes never gets enough credit, but he is as good of a snapper as there is in this league. We had a lot of nice situational drills.
On today’s schedule
We worked very hard this morning on pass protection, and we worked on assignments and footwork. This afternoon, we will go out, and we will work. We’re going to bang, it’s going to be an intense one, and it is going to be hot, which is great. We will do situational third downs, and we’re going to work on the hurry up field goal, putting the ball on the near hash with a certain time on the clock, and then we’ll put the ball on the far hash and do a couple reps of that. It’s going to be a pretty intense day.
On the team overall
I’m very pleased how these guys are working together. They are competing, and they are working hard. It’s been a nice morning. Now the coaches will go back and watch this morning’s film, the players will eat and get off their feet, and we will meet early afternoon and go out there and try to improve. We did not add anything because of our four-day rule. We threw everything at them the first four days and now we are going back, and we’re polishing it. After Saturday, we will go back and start getting into our specific game plan for Villanova and the season. I don’t care what our opponents do. I care about what the Old Gold and Blue does. If we take care of our end, then we’ll be ok.
On Pat Liebig
We will meet at 11 o’clock, and we’re going to get some more material together for the NCAA. I’m very happy with the NCAA, because they are taking their time and they are weighing the decision. He does have a waiver to practice, and he is really showing up. Pat Liebig is a man. He’s a sharp student, and he’s never missed. He lifts weights, and he is a great role model and a great leader. I can’t say enough great stuff about Patrick Liebig as a person; he is top notch. He will continue to practice until we hear from the NCAA. We have a great committee out there, and we’re just making sure that everything is going right. He went home for all the right reasons, and I’m very confident that everything will be worked out.
Injury report and freshmen
Injury report is not bad. We have a couple guys dinged up but that’s not bad. We have some freshmen that can’t get with it so we will get them with it. It’s funny, they come over here, and they find ways to get lost. Right now, treatment is as important as playing, and they will learn that. We just have to give them a couple reminders. We’re trying to get that across to them and sometimes they get confused; they are rookies.
On camp so far
I was tickled last night when we had an impressive practice last night. We were in full pads, and I’ll tell you, it was tough. The fourth day is always the toughest day, and I don’t know why. They stepped up to the plate, and they were getting after it. Right now, we’re continuing to press. It’s the dog days of summer, and I hope that it gets to be 100 degrees, and we’ll push them and push them in pads. They are working very hard.
On special teams
At West Virginia University, I ask the defensive or offensive guys, whoever, to be on special teams. There are six major special teams and here, we ask our guys and it’s almost a demand, that we want the best guys on our punt team. If you are on our punt team, you are pretty special at West Virginia University. Next is the kickoff team, and if you are on the kickoff team, then you are pretty special. Mortty Ivy has been a three-year starter, right guard, on the punt team. He wouldn’t come off that punt team for anything, it’s a pride thing. J.T. Thomas, who is a starter at right tackle wouldn’t come off that team for anything. The best 11 will be on the punt team, the second best 11 will be on the kick off team.
Running Back Noel Devine
On practicing in pads
It’s really good to see everyone go out and get after the ball. Everyone is really excited, and it makes a huge difference.
On this season’s expectations
I’m really excited, and I’m ready to go out there and show people that I can carry the load. It’s all about heart, and I have a big heart. I’m getting myself prepared. I’m not prepared yet but that is what practice is for. You have to practice to be perfect.
On his preparation
Practice was good this morning. It took awhile for us to wake up, but after that everything was just clicking. The new guys are doing well, and they are learning. They need to stay focused, and they need to go in the room and study plays and film. They need to feel comfortable in the backfield, because in their first year, they are going to be nervous. I’ve spent more time studying plays and film this year. It’s like a business, and I had to learn that. You will be a better running back when you study the game. Being around the coaches and being in the meeting rooms, they know their stuff and that made me want to know my stuff. I have to know where the holes will be and who I’ll have to block.
On helping the freshmen
Being a leader and being in their shoes last year, I’m trying to step up and help them learn.
Quarterback Pat White
On practicing with pads
I really can’t tell the difference, because I don’t get hit. It’s fun to see those guys run around though, and they are certainly coming at me faster. I’m having fun with it and definitely having fun with the younger guys. It’s my last year, and I’m going to try to enjoy every day and every second that I can. We are a fast-paced team, and we have to be able to run around and move. Those are the types of plays that the coaches bring in and we look for.
On the defense
I think we have one of the best in the country. We have the fasted and most athletic defense in the country. The offense now just has to keep the same intensity that they do and match them, which will make us both better.
On the program’s national spotlight
Each year, we have better and better athletes coming to West Virginia. I think we’re definitely on the map now, and we’re starting to spread out across the country and people are starting to figure us out.
On his improvement
I feel like I’ve improved, and I have definitely worked on it. I’ve had a lot of good coaches teaching me a lot of good things. Coach Mullen is certainly one that I appreciate, and I am really glad that he’s here. He teaches us a lot of the little things about mechanics and that is going to help us out in the long run.
On Ellis Lankster
Our secondary, we have to fill in spots but we definitely have the talent to do it. One of my favorites, although I guess I’m kind of bias,0 because he’s from Alabama, is Ellis Lankster. He is one of the best I’ve seen.
