By MSNsportsNET.com
August 12, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Quotes from WVU football coach Bill Stewart and selected players on day five of fall training camp.
Coach Bill Stewart
Opening Statement:
Three objectives we went after today as a staff. Number one: B plus T, first part of our motto, blocking plus tackling. If you can't block and you can't tackle then you're in for a rude awakening, you all know that. I'm a great believer in the Vince Lombardi theory that that's what it's all about. You can formation, you can be in the I, you can be in the spread, you in a no-back, you can be in a run-and-shoot, you can be in wishbone, but if you do not out block and on the other side get off blocks and out tackle, you're going to get beat. It was really good to see that today, I really enjoyed our guys competing, it was a real battle. Those first two periods there was intensity, there was some hitting and there was not some not so good stuff.
Number two: We wanted to pressure the punter, we backed it up and I told George Schell I don't care if you pout 12 over there, 10 over there or 14 over there, just come with how ever many you want and we're going to pressure the punter and see first of all if we can block from the -1 yard line and -2 and can he hit the ball. He did a nice job, he being Scott Kozlowski and Gregg Pugnetti, both those young men did pretty well, that was pleasing to see.
Number three: We stressed our football team on both sides of the ball in a situational scrimmage for four periods and it was in the red zone. We were very good in the red zone last year on defense, top 10 in the country. We also scored some points in the red zone, so we wanted to battle them today, first day of full pads, that's what we did. When you go in a red zone you also pressure your field goal kicker, just a pressure day for kickers and punters. That's what we did, I felt good about it, it was a good full padded practice. We have a lot of mistakes and a lot of things we need to work on, as everyone in America does at this time, but that is the direction we're heading in.
On surviving camp:
I heard of a pro coach, he told his team this year, “guys this camp is not about survival, this camp is about getting better at the game.” An old coach told me a long time ago when I was in camp and in survival mode, it won't be long Billy until it's Thanksgiving, it's that fast. Thirteen weeks, we work 75 percent off our time for a quarter percent of enjoyment.
On punters and kickers:
I thought Scott Kozlowski punted the ball well, first of all Cody Nutter snapped the ball very well, Scott Kozlowski punted well and Gregg Pugnetti did. I thought Tyler Bitancurt did a nice job in the red zone, the offense did pretty well their early, the defense bowed up, it was a back and forth battle and old Tyler stepped up and hit one from 40-something.
The other day in practice I asked Josh Lider, who is also kicking well, as we kicked the last one and the horn went off, I said how far was that, it was 46 yards and he said, “I don't know, I don't care.” I like that, I said did you do an under swing or an over swing and he said, “I don't know coach.” That's the kind of mentality I want.
On the possible punting competition:
That's very open, we've talked about it as a staff. We had a 50 minute special teams meeting today in which I ran this morning with the team. It covered every phase of every kick we've had in practice to this point and I would say our kickers are neck and neck and the top two are Josh Lider and Tyler Bitancurt. At this time, Scott Kozlowksi has a little bit of an edge on Gregg Pugnetti, but it's a good battle. As I said earlier, Cody Nutter has snapped well.
On what Lider and Bitancurt each do well:
Tyler probably has more power, explosive and Lider is pretty dead on, he is pretty fair, more of a close-in guy and extremely accurate.
Who are the kickoff return guys?:
Noel Devine jumps right out to the front. Jock Sanders, Brandon Hogan, Tavon Austin, Eddie Davis can do it and those are probably the top five kickoff returns. Punt would be Jock and Brandon the first two and then Tavon and I'll tell you this J.D. Woods out of Florida has a knack. I know a guy when I was in college, we had a quarterback and our third quarterback did it. He averaged 13 yards a punt, one step, got a first down, and just got down. Dennis Onkotz did it I believe in '68 at Penn State, he caught the ball, got a first down. That's all you need.
What athletes should do during downtime:
Study the playbook, I'll tell them what I tell my son, turn the phone off, turn off that Nintendo, spacestation, all that stuff. Turn it off, put it away and get your playbook out because you're in camp. The first impression is the most lasting impression, believe me. I just tell them to get that playbook and get in a corner and get in a upperclassmen's hip pocket and go.
p>Why guys were on the bleachers:
They didn't hit, they didn't stay after it, they weren't tough and they weren't intense enough for me. Two were receivers and one was a tackle that dove at the ankles and I want them to hit straight in the chin on defense and I want them to block. If they can't block and tackle then they can run up and down the bleachers and sell Coca-Colas, just getting them in shape for that.
On Jarrett Brown being a leader:
I coached him, I was close to him, still am, being his position coach. The young man has such resolve to have not left this fine institution to go somewhere else where he could've played, because I sat him down a couple of years ago and said I can't play you because I believe the guy in front of you is better. He hung in boat, he's paid his dues and he deserves everything that could possibly happen to him in a good manner. A special young man, great character, a great citizen and I just hope it really works out well for him because he deserves it in the utmost manner.
On Bradley Starks switching from quarterback to wide receiver in practice:
Spinning is a good word, it's not information overload because he knows football, but he's doing very, very well. He has a chance to be a pretty good football player. He has a chance to play receiver quicker than quarterback of course with Jarrett their, but we would not be afraid to put him in as a quarterback.
Ryan Clarke
Differences between this year and last year:
First of all my weight is different. Came in here about 260, so it's a big difference in that and they put me on a diet program, now I'm about 255, 240. Being mature, disciplined and staying out of trouble.
What the weight loss does:
It makes a big difference, it helps my footwork, it helps my speed, I can play fast overall.
On being excited about being counted on:
I'm very excited, it feels good to be part of the team and actually help out, so I feel real good about playing.
Josh Lider
Talking about the first couple of weeks:
It's been a big difference, just trying to get my feet used to the humidity, the fast pace, getting used to being a freshman again and luckily this is round two, so I know what to expect and just have been getting used to kicking again. In January I didn't expect to be putting on a helmet again, so it was really cool being able to put a helmet on.
On the thoughts of football career being done:
When they cut the program (Western Washington) I thought I was done, I wasn't sure, I was going to send out film and hope for the best.
We didn't expect it, we had just won a bowl game, we were all shocked that happened. Luckily a lot of the guys got to where they wanted to go. I've been trying to keep track of most of them, but they've gone all over the West Coast and I went the furthest east.
On being a motivator:
As a senior, I'm hoping to show my work ethic, show that I'm here to push you guys and try to make you guys better. I'm not trying to be the guy just trying to take things out from under their feet. I want them to be their best and let the coaches make the decision. I'm not here to try and take anyone's job, if I'm better then great, I hope I get the job. I'm going to work my hardest to get that job, but it's been a lot of fun working Pugnetti and we are both really helpful with each other.
Ovid Goulbourne
On being injured:
I worked hard during the offseason to get my body healthy and keep it healthy. If I get dinged up there is nothing I can really do about that. I just try to stay positive and help the other guys and not let what's going on with me affect the team or anyone else.
Injuries he has had:
I've had a few hamstring injuries, a shoulder injury. The hamstring is what kept me out a few games.
On sitting out injured:
It gets frustrating, but like I said before, you can't let what's going on with you affect the team because you're just a part of the team and the team is bigger than you.