Saturday's Spring Scrimmage Recap

April 15, 2023 02:59 PM | Football

By: John Antonik

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia completed its second officiated scrimmage of the spring earlier today inside Milan Puskar Stadium.

Coach Neal Brown said the ones and twos took approximately 40 to 50 snaps, with the threes getting roughly 20 more plays with special teams competitions mixed in.

"We are a little light on D-line numbers, so we didn't go as many with the threes," Brown said. "We had a full Big 12 officiating crew here in the stadium today, so we got in some really solid work."

Brown was complimentary of Oliver Straw's punting and believes he continues to build off a strong freshman season in 2022. Brown said junior Austin Brinkman is developing into one of the best long snappers in the country and praised backup punter Leighton Bechdel's performance.

"(Bechdel) has had a really strong spring so I wanted to recognize him," Brown said.

Brown indicated the field goal competition is still ongoing between Georgia State transfer Michael Hayes and Danny King.

Defensively, Brown cited the work put forth today by defensive linemen Mike Lockhart and Hammond Russell IV, two players that have really developed during the 12 spring practices so far.

"Both of those guys, we need them, and they are probably as integral as anybody on either side as far as needing to make a jump this spring and they have through four weeks," he said. "They've gotten better. They've not arrived yet, but I thought both of those guys did some nice things."

Junior Jared Bartlett was credited with a couple of sacks this morning and Brown continues to be high on true freshman James Heard, calling him "a natural pass rusher" and adding "he will be a factor for us this fall."

Others on the defensive side of the ball the coach mentioned for their work this morning were linebackers Lee Kpogba and Trey Lathan, safeties Jairo Faverus and Keyshawn Cobb, and corners Marcis Floyd and Andrew Wilson-Lamp.

Brown said Floyd made a couple of nice open-field tackles while Wilson-Lamp performed well when the ball was in the air.

Brown also noted Lance Dixon's play in space playing the spear position.

"We are playing him out in space where he finished last year, and he's getting more accustomed to that," Brown said. "He's growing on and off the field and I'm proud of what he's doing."

Offensively, quarterbacks Garrett Greene and Nicco Marchiol alternated with the ones and twos, with true freshman Sean Boyle getting the No. 3 reps.

According to Brown, Greene was responsible for three explosive runs, one covering more than 60 yards, and he also threw a couple of nice deep passes, one going to senior Cortez Braham for 60-yards-plus.

Brown thought Braham was the standout receiver during today's scrimmage.

Marchiol orchestrated a pair of nice drives, one finishing in the end zone when he hooked up with NC State transfer Devin Carter for a touchdown pass. Marchiol's unit managed to convert several third downs and Brown was complimentary of the freshman's decision making.

"(Marchiol) just made simple decisions," Brown said. "A lot of times in football it's not getting yourself beat and he just made good decisions on two early drives during the scrimmage. If it was a handoff, he handed it off. He made some third-down completions and didn't take sacks and showed a nice job of showing some maturation, which is good to see."

Kent State transfer Ja'Shaun Poke was responsible for one long catch and continues to develop after being slowed earlier this spring with a leg injury, while LSU transfer tight end Kole Taylor was once again outstanding with his pass catching abilities in the red zone. Taylor and freshman Will Dixon were the two tight ends who drew praise from Brown following today's scrimmage.

The coach said all four running backs who got on the field today were solid, including CJ Donaldson, who got some more live contact work this morning.

Brown continues to be pleased with the offensive line, citing the depth that has been developed there. The unit continues to operate this spring without preseason All-America center Zach Frazier while he recuperates from offseason surgery.

"Offensive line wise, I think I feel better about our depth now than I did at the start," Brown admitted. "The silver lining (with Frazier being out) is Doug Nester's leadership ability has really grown. Wyatt Milum has been pushed out of his shell a little bit to where he's had to speak more, so long-term those two are really good things.

"Brandon Yates has had a great spring playing all inside and I'm really excited for him. This has forced us to use guys against the best players we've got and in the long run that helps," Brown added.

Among the offensive linemen who got on the field today was men's basketball import Jimmy Bell Jr., who Brown said got about 25 snaps at right tackle.

"The biggest thing for him is he can use his hands in this game, and I've heard coach (Matt) Moore say multiple times during practice this week, 'You're not fouling out. No foul-outs in this game.' So, he's got to get used to punching and the importance of ball get-off.

"What I do like about him is he's extremely coachable and he works hard," Brown said.

The Mountaineers have two more spring practices scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday next before the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game takes place on Saturday, April 22, inside Milan Puskar Stadium at 1 p.m.