Defense Gets The Nod
April 08, 2009 09:49 PM | General
April 8, 2009
BILL STEWART AUDIO DOWNLOAD
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Quarterback Jarrett Brown performed well in the two-minute drill, the offense was proficient during goal line work, but the defense once again got the upper hand during Wednesday afternoon’s scrimmage inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
It was the Mountaineers’ second officiated scrimmage of the spring.
“Defensively, I thought that they had a banner day. They gave up some plays, but they were getting after it,” said West Virginia coach Bill Stewart.
Brown completed 11 of 19 passes for 128 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Wes Lyons and Bradley Starks during regular scrimmage work. At one point, Brown was 4 for 4 passing during two-minute drills, including a pretty 28-yard touchdown pass to Starks in the back of the end zone.
“We put the clock on, and Jarrett Brown came out and was absolutely on fire,” Stewart said. “He hit Alric Arnett and Bradley Starks, and there was some really good football. I was proud, overall, with the way the offense fought back. To see what they did in the first two-minute drill with live officiating was very nice to see.”
Brown also hooked up with Lyons for a 22-yard score at the beginning of the scrimmage.
Noel Devine ripped off a 43-yard run and finished the scrimmage with 64 yards on 11 carries, while H-back Will Johnson led all receivers with three catches for 37 yards.
Defensively, cornerback Brandon Hogan picked off a Jarrett Brown pass, sacks were recorded by J.T. Thomas and Donovan Miles, and Miles also recovered a fumble.
“Brandon Hogan made a nice pick, and I told David Lockwood after practice how nice it was to see Brandon break on that ball,” Stewart said. “He came out of nowhere and it was a really big play by No. 22.”
West Virginia did extensive goal line scrimmaging before wrapping up with its first live two-minute work of the spring. Brown hooked up twice with Lyons for pretty touchdowns during red zone work, and the senior also connected with Carmen Connolly for a score.
Ryan Clarke, Jordan Roberts and Mark Rodgers all scored touchdowns during goal line. Rodgers’ TD run came from 16 yards when he broke free from the line and bounced outside for the score.
The players were excused for Easter break and will resume spring work next Monday.
“I want to compliment the guys on how they’ve played. We have driven these guys, and I’ve done that for a reason. I’m tired of the Mountaineers not being able to wake up and play at Noon,” Stewart said. “So, we’re going to do things at 6 a.m. and they are going to learn if it’s midnight, 6 a.m., or four in the afternoon – when you have the chance to drop gloves, it’s time to drop gloves; you put on the Old Gold and Blue and you play football. That’s what this young team has to learn, particularly our offensive line. They have to get tougher mentality.”
Briefly:
“Wes is playing,” Stewart said. “He’s healthy and Lonnie Galloway is coaching him. Lonnie Galloway doesn’t berate those guys, abuse those guys or belittle those guys.
“We have to get more talent and Wes Lyons has been a great addition,” Stewart added. “I don’t call him a pleasant surprise because I always knew he could do it. We have tremendous talent, but the problem is that they all haven’t done it consistently yet. Alric Arnett, Wes and Bradley Starks have a chance to shine when we take the pressure off of the quarterback and tailback position. I think Tyler Urban has done a good job and we’re getting better, but it’s not there yet.”
It will be very difficult, however, for the current crop to match that production.
