Football Notebook
October 08, 2010 04:15 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Noel Devine is listed as probable on this week’s injury report for Saturday’s game against UNLV, but if something should happen and Devine cannot play then running backs coach Chris Beatty has no reservations whatsoever of putting true freshman Trey Johnson into the game.
“Yeah, I got no problem handing the ball to Trey,” Beatty said earlier this week.
The Richmond, Va., resident got some brief action in the season opener against Coastal Carolina after having a strong fall training camp.
Johnson has speed similar to Devine’s and showed an uncanny ability to move the pile despite weighing in the vicinity of 170 pounds. He had an outstanding prep career at Varina High where he ran for more than 1,700 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last year as a senior. His credentials with the football in his hands are solid. However, it’s what Johnson does without the ball in his hands that will determine whether or not he sees the field this Saturday against the Rebels.
“I think it goes back to making sure they know their assignments and what they’re supposed to be doing,” said Beatty. “Obviously there is a progression from camp. You get a little bit better and a little bit more familiar and then it becomes a point where you can see if they can go out there and do it.”
And Beatty believes Johnson is improving. Two weeks ago at LSU, Beatty said the Tigers’ defensive style and talent didn’t suit Johnson’s talents, that’s why they chose to go with the bigger, bulkier and more experienced Ryan Clarke when Devine injured his foot.
“Our running game was more predicated on trying to pound them up the middle a little and even before Noel was hurt we were going to try and run it up the middle a little bit more (with Clarke),” said Beatty. “We knew we were going to have a tough time going east and west. Protection wise and for the sake of what we were doing with our running game, it wasn’t a smart move putting the young guys in and Ryan has more experience.”
Johnson believes the two additional weeks has helped him get a better understanding of what he needs to do.
“I had to get my pass protection good and just knowing everything that goes on on the sidelines during a play,” he said. “I’m confident.”
Beatty is starting to get more confident in Johnson, too.
“He has gotten better as we’ve gone along,” said Beatty. “I think he’s got some natural running ability but the biggest thing for most running backs is being able to know the protections and being able to do all those things. As for him, he’s learning. He’s not close to where he needs to be but he’s learning how to protect the quarterback and who he needs to pick up in blitzes and those types of things. When he does that then he will have an opportunity to play a lot more.”
Perhaps that will be this Saturday.
“I told myself to do the best I can, and if I do that, then I should get on the field,” Johnson said. “I always go 100 percent.”
If it turns out that Devine can’t go on Saturday, Trey Johnson may just get that opportunity.
Briefly:
West Virginia’s injury report released on Thursday evening listed Devine as probable. Others listed as probable were safety Darwin Cook (knee), Pat Lazear (knee bruise), Julian Miller (back) and Tyler Urban (knee). Left guard Josh Jenkins (knee) was the only player listed as doubtful. Complicating matters is the fact that West Virginia has just five days to recover before its Big East opener next Thursday night against USF.
The Bulls play host to Syracuse in their conference opener Saturday at noon.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, UNLV’s top wide receiver Phillip Payne did not make the trip to Morgantown and is serving a one-game disciplinary suspension, according to Rebels coach Bobby Hauck.
Payne has caught 16 career touchdown passes and shows 23 catches for 389 yards and a pair of touchdowns through five games so far this year. Twelve of Payne’s 16 TD catches have come in the red zone. He is UNLV’s biggest receiver standing 6-feet-3 and weighing 205 pounds.
Also, quarterback Michael Clayton is listed as questionable on UNLV’s injury report released on Monday. Two days ago Clayton told reporters that he would suit up and play on Saturday against the Mountaineers.
Clayton passed for 214 yards and a touchdown and ran for 48 yards and another score during last weekend’s 44-26 loss to Nevada.
There are fewer than 500 tickets remaining for Saturday’s game, according to the Mountaineer Ticket Office. Tickets are on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office by calling toll-free 1-800-WVU GAME or by going online to WVUGAME.com. Any remaining tickets can also be purchased at the stadium on game day.
“Yeah, I got no problem handing the ball to Trey,” Beatty said earlier this week.
The Richmond, Va., resident got some brief action in the season opener against Coastal Carolina after having a strong fall training camp.
Johnson has speed similar to Devine’s and showed an uncanny ability to move the pile despite weighing in the vicinity of 170 pounds. He had an outstanding prep career at Varina High where he ran for more than 1,700 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last year as a senior. His credentials with the football in his hands are solid. However, it’s what Johnson does without the ball in his hands that will determine whether or not he sees the field this Saturday against the Rebels.
“I think it goes back to making sure they know their assignments and what they’re supposed to be doing,” said Beatty. “Obviously there is a progression from camp. You get a little bit better and a little bit more familiar and then it becomes a point where you can see if they can go out there and do it.”
And Beatty believes Johnson is improving. Two weeks ago at LSU, Beatty said the Tigers’ defensive style and talent didn’t suit Johnson’s talents, that’s why they chose to go with the bigger, bulkier and more experienced Ryan Clarke when Devine injured his foot.
“Our running game was more predicated on trying to pound them up the middle a little and even before Noel was hurt we were going to try and run it up the middle a little bit more (with Clarke),” said Beatty. “We knew we were going to have a tough time going east and west. Protection wise and for the sake of what we were doing with our running game, it wasn’t a smart move putting the young guys in and Ryan has more experience.”
Johnson believes the two additional weeks has helped him get a better understanding of what he needs to do.
“I had to get my pass protection good and just knowing everything that goes on on the sidelines during a play,” he said. “I’m confident.”
Beatty is starting to get more confident in Johnson, too.
“He has gotten better as we’ve gone along,” said Beatty. “I think he’s got some natural running ability but the biggest thing for most running backs is being able to know the protections and being able to do all those things. As for him, he’s learning. He’s not close to where he needs to be but he’s learning how to protect the quarterback and who he needs to pick up in blitzes and those types of things. When he does that then he will have an opportunity to play a lot more.”
Perhaps that will be this Saturday.
“I told myself to do the best I can, and if I do that, then I should get on the field,” Johnson said. “I always go 100 percent.”
If it turns out that Devine can’t go on Saturday, Trey Johnson may just get that opportunity.
Briefly:
The Bulls play host to Syracuse in their conference opener Saturday at noon.
Payne has caught 16 career touchdown passes and shows 23 catches for 389 yards and a pair of touchdowns through five games so far this year. Twelve of Payne’s 16 TD catches have come in the red zone. He is UNLV’s biggest receiver standing 6-feet-3 and weighing 205 pounds.
Also, quarterback Michael Clayton is listed as questionable on UNLV’s injury report released on Monday. Two days ago Clayton told reporters that he would suit up and play on Saturday against the Mountaineers.
Clayton passed for 214 yards and a touchdown and ran for 48 yards and another score during last weekend’s 44-26 loss to Nevada.
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