Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
All Three Phases Shine During Saturday’s Second Spring Scrimmage
April 17, 2021 02:49 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – There were plenty of positives during West Virginia's second officiated scrimmage of the spring held earlier today inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
Both quarterbacks, Jarret Doege and Garrett Greene, were efficient running the one and two offenses, the first offensive line consisting of center Zach Frazier, guards James Gmiter and Jordan White, and tackles Brandon Yates and Doug Nester continued to block well, the first defense was solid and kickers Casey Legg, Danny King and Tyler Sumpter made all of four of their field goal tries.
"Good day of work in the stadium. It's really our last game-like run other than some snaps for the spring game," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said.
Sophomore wide receiver Reese Smith made touchdown catches of 15 and 17 yards, while junior Sam James got into the end zone on a 15-yard scoring strike.
All three touchdown passes came from Greene, who wore a white jersey for today's scrimmage. In this setting, the Tallahassee, Florida, resident really shined by extending plays with his feet or getting yardage on straight runs.
Greene made a 45-yard jaunt early in the scrimmage and later connected on a 41-yard strike to Isaiah Esdale down the far sideline when he eluded pressure to buy some extra time. Esdale was unable to hang on to another Greene pass down the middle of the field for what would have been a long gainer.
Overall, the freshman connected on 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 116 yards.
"We let Garrett Greene go without a yellow jersey. He was live all day and he had some big runs, which was a positive, and he was able to come up with some broken plays," Brown said. "He had one big pass down the field on a scramble and I thought Reese Smith had a nice day with two touchdowns, and he really had a good day with the twos. And Tony Mathis continues to do well."
Doege, wearing a yellow no contact jersey, was also efficient completing 11-of-18 for 100 yards. On the opening drive of the scrimmage, Doege hooked up with junior receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton down the far sideline for a 40-yard gainer.
Starting running back Leddie Brown got more carries than last week, and he also caught five passes for 30 yards. Getting Brown more involved in the passing game was one of WVU's objectives this spring.
The highlight for the defense was a goal-line stand when they repelled four straight Tony Mathis Jr. runs from inside the two.
"I thought the defense did a nice job in red zone today, especially with the ones," Brown said. "They had a goal line stand. They stopped several plays and made the offense kick a field goal. I like where our first group is defensively, but we've got to add some depth. We've either got to create some depth by developing some of the guys we have or going and getting some other ones."
There were no turnovers during the scrimmage and minimal penalties by all three units.
"Offensively, all three teams had no turnovers today," Brown said. "We put the ball on the ground a couple of times on Thursday night so that was good. With the first group I thought Doege was sharp. We got Leddie some touches and we thudded with that group (no tackling to the ground). I thought Leddie did some nice things in the passing game specifically."
The ones got 35 plays, the twos 31 and the threes eight during this morning's workout.
"Everybody got some reps," Brown said.
Brown also singled out Sam James, Winston Wright Jr. and the work put forth by the No. 1 offensive line this morning.
"I thought Sam James had a couple of nice plays. Winston Wright continues to show up and do well and I think our first offensive line and the tight ends, they've improved running the football," he said.
Brown said special teams work this afternoon was another positive.
"I'm pleased with the work we're getting in and really a high level of buy-in right now with the staff and players on special teams," he said. "We kicked the ball well today, which is something we've got to do a better job on field goals and I thought Casey Legg, Danny King and Tyler Sumpter all three kicked the ball well."
Brown said afterward Sean Mahone, Jackie Matthews Jr. and Sean Ryan were held out of today's scrimmage for either sickness or minor ailments. Freshman tight end Charles Finley continues to mend with a back injury.
Today's scrimmage was much cooler than last Saturday's when temperatures were a very comfortable 70 degrees with sunny skies.
The Mountaineers are scheduled to have practices next Monday, Wednesday and Friday heading into the annual Gold-Blue Game inside Milan Puskar Stadium. This year's spring game will kick off at 1 p.m. and will air live on Big Now on ESPN+.
Advance tickets are on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
A portion of the proceeds from this year's spring game will once again benefit WVU Medicine Childrens.
Both quarterbacks, Jarret Doege and Garrett Greene, were efficient running the one and two offenses, the first offensive line consisting of center Zach Frazier, guards James Gmiter and Jordan White, and tackles Brandon Yates and Doug Nester continued to block well, the first defense was solid and kickers Casey Legg, Danny King and Tyler Sumpter made all of four of their field goal tries."Good day of work in the stadium. It's really our last game-like run other than some snaps for the spring game," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said.
Sophomore wide receiver Reese Smith made touchdown catches of 15 and 17 yards, while junior Sam James got into the end zone on a 15-yard scoring strike.
All three touchdown passes came from Greene, who wore a white jersey for today's scrimmage. In this setting, the Tallahassee, Florida, resident really shined by extending plays with his feet or getting yardage on straight runs.
Greene made a 45-yard jaunt early in the scrimmage and later connected on a 41-yard strike to Isaiah Esdale down the far sideline when he eluded pressure to buy some extra time. Esdale was unable to hang on to another Greene pass down the middle of the field for what would have been a long gainer.
Overall, the freshman connected on 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 116 yards.
"We let Garrett Greene go without a yellow jersey. He was live all day and he had some big runs, which was a positive, and he was able to come up with some broken plays," Brown said. "He had one big pass down the field on a scramble and I thought Reese Smith had a nice day with two touchdowns, and he really had a good day with the twos. And Tony Mathis continues to do well."
Doege, wearing a yellow no contact jersey, was also efficient completing 11-of-18 for 100 yards. On the opening drive of the scrimmage, Doege hooked up with junior receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton down the far sideline for a 40-yard gainer.
Starting running back Leddie Brown got more carries than last week, and he also caught five passes for 30 yards. Getting Brown more involved in the passing game was one of WVU's objectives this spring.
The highlight for the defense was a goal-line stand when they repelled four straight Tony Mathis Jr. runs from inside the two.
"I thought the defense did a nice job in red zone today, especially with the ones," Brown said. "They had a goal line stand. They stopped several plays and made the offense kick a field goal. I like where our first group is defensively, but we've got to add some depth. We've either got to create some depth by developing some of the guys we have or going and getting some other ones."
There were no turnovers during the scrimmage and minimal penalties by all three units.
"Offensively, all three teams had no turnovers today," Brown said. "We put the ball on the ground a couple of times on Thursday night so that was good. With the first group I thought Doege was sharp. We got Leddie some touches and we thudded with that group (no tackling to the ground). I thought Leddie did some nice things in the passing game specifically."
The ones got 35 plays, the twos 31 and the threes eight during this morning's workout.
"Everybody got some reps," Brown said.
Brown also singled out Sam James, Winston Wright Jr. and the work put forth by the No. 1 offensive line this morning.
"I thought Sam James had a couple of nice plays. Winston Wright continues to show up and do well and I think our first offensive line and the tight ends, they've improved running the football," he said.
Brown said special teams work this afternoon was another positive.
"I'm pleased with the work we're getting in and really a high level of buy-in right now with the staff and players on special teams," he said. "We kicked the ball well today, which is something we've got to do a better job on field goals and I thought Casey Legg, Danny King and Tyler Sumpter all three kicked the ball well."
Brown said afterward Sean Mahone, Jackie Matthews Jr. and Sean Ryan were held out of today's scrimmage for either sickness or minor ailments. Freshman tight end Charles Finley continues to mend with a back injury.
Today's scrimmage was much cooler than last Saturday's when temperatures were a very comfortable 70 degrees with sunny skies.
The Mountaineers are scheduled to have practices next Monday, Wednesday and Friday heading into the annual Gold-Blue Game inside Milan Puskar Stadium. This year's spring game will kick off at 1 p.m. and will air live on Big Now on ESPN+.
Advance tickets are on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
A portion of the proceeds from this year's spring game will once again benefit WVU Medicine Childrens.
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