2008 West Virginia Mountaineers Preview

It’s quite a different atmosphere in Morgantown these days. Out is new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who reached star status by getting in his players’ grills and winning with a space-age offense. In is Bill Stewart, a down-to-earth man who uses phrases like “Cub and Boy Scout’s honor.” The question is, can Stewart and his new approach prepare the Mountaineer players for another national championship run? The answer: If the loaded offense can allow the defense to grow, yes.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Mountaineers

This is a pivotal season in Morgantown. Rich Rodriguez built upon Don Nehlen’s solid foundation and took the Mountaineer program to a higher level. There were significant bowl victories against Georgia in the Sugar and Oklahoma in the Fiesta. If WVU’s players respond well to the change to Bill Stewart, the program should continue to have success. Rodriguez left plenty of talented players, like Pat White and Noel Devine. What Rodriguez didn’t leave were many of his assistants. So it’s yet to be seen how the players respond to Stewart and the position coaches. Those in the Big East saw what happened when Bobby Petrino left Louisville. Also, WVU has a tougher schedule, with a road game at Colorado and a home game against Auburn. If the Mountaineers lose early, say to the Buffs, doubt could creep in. There are also defensive holes to fill. But if the players respond to Stewart, this should be another banner season. Even with those defensive holes, WVU may be able to simply outscore its opponents as it did early in the Rodriguez era. If White and Devine stay healthy, Stewart should have a Top 10 team on his hands. A key could be the Dec. 6 finale against South Florida. The hope in Morgantown is the temperature that day is 5 degrees.

Gone are players like tailback Steve Slaton, slot man Darius Reynaud and fullback Owen Schmitt. Returning, though, are Heisman Trophy candidate Pat White and blue-chip tailback Noel Devine, two of college football’s fastest men, along with the entire offensive line. “We have a bunch of skill here,” Stewart says. “We have a bunch of guys who can make plays. We just have to keep No. 5 (White) and No. 7 (Devine) healthy. We have to.”

WVU’s non-Big East Conference schedule is more difficult, with a game at Colorado and a home contest against Auburn. Defensively, holdover coordinator Jeff Casteel must replace anchors Ryan Mundy, Eric Wicks, Keilen Dykes and Johnny Dingle. But Stewart says his defense is “as fast as we’ve ever been.” His team has confidence after routing Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. And although Stewart was a surprise pick to replace Rodriguez, he was given financial freedom to assemble a top-flight staff that includes coaches from Florida, Wake Forest, Georgia and Kentucky.

Quarterbacks

White has been the Big East’s Offensive Player of the Year the past two seasons. He’s the school and league career rushing leader for a quarterback with 3,506 yards. He was the MVP of the Fiesta and Gator bowls. And now he’s a senior. “What else can you say about Patrick?” says Stewart. “He’s the best winner I’ve ever coached. I don’t care how, he’ll beat you. He will find a way. He wills people in that huddle to go down the field. They follow.” White has speed to burn and should benefit from Stewart’s promise to install more motion and vertical passing in the offense. The 6'2", 185-pound White still needs to work on his touch passes, but otherwise is exceptional. White’s backup, Jarrett Brown, may be a better pro prospect. The junior with a strong arm saw action in 10 games last season. He also played on WVU’s Sweet Sixteen basketball team.

Running backs

West Virginia’s tailback position is blessed with Devine, who showed why he was one of the nation’s top high school recruits when he all but overshadowed Slaton last season. The 5'8", 170-pound speedster averaged 8.6 yards on 73 carries and helped WVU breeze past Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl when Slaton was injured. “He’ll be a household name this year,” Stewart says. “He had a tremendous spring.” Devine increased his strength in the offseason, but, because of his size, still needs to work on durability. Stewart also wants the standout to “know when to go down.” If Devine goes down and out, though, WVU could be in trouble — unless two offseason moves pan out. The Mountaineer coaches think they landed a gem in Mark Rodgers, who originally signed with Portland State but did not enroll. WVU also signed junior college back Zach Hulce. The spring experiment to replace Schmitt at fullback was to move former defensive lineman Thor Merrow to the position. Stewart liked Merrow’s blocking, but the skill part of the position needs work.

Receivers

Gone is Reynaud, the team’s one true threat. One who could help is 6'2" Alric Arnett, a former junior college transfer. Stewart detects speed and potential in the junior, but needs the 195-pound Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College product to get bigger and more physical. If he doesn’t win the X position, look for the improving Wes Lyons, 6'8", to give it a whirl. At the other outside position, senior Tito Gonzales, who had a big touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl, looks locked as a starter. He’s a good blocker but doesn’t offer enough speed to be a real downfield threat. Behind him is Dorrell Jalloh, the leading returning receiver in yardage (272), but watch for Ohio State transfer Devon Lyons, brother of Wes. The slot men are solid, if unspectacular, in Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan. Stewart does, however, want to get the ball more to Sanders. Meanwhile, a spring experiment that was a hit had Will Johnson moving from wideout to tight end/H back.

Offensive linemen

Outside of quarterback, this is West Virginia’s strongest position. All-America left tackle Ryan Stanchek returns to lead a group that pushed for two 1,000-yard rushers and an average of 297.2 rushing yards per game, third-best nationally. Stanchek is a tenacious 300-pound senior. The other bookend, right tackle Selvish Capers, has loads of potential. Behind them is senior Stephen Maw, who made a name for himself by stepping in for the injured Capers in the Fiesta Bowl. Stewart predicts that center Mike Dent will be his team’s “war daddy” after successfully replacing Rimington Award winner Dan Mozes last season. Left guard Greg Isdaner sat out spring ball with a shoulder injury but should be fine by the opener. Jake Figner, a quiet leader, returns at right guard.

Defensive linemen

Defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich has some work ahead of him. Gone is swift and strong Dykes at nosetackle as well as end Dingle, who declared early for the NFL. Chris Neild has been put in a “pressure cooker” by Kirelawich and Stewart to take over for Dykes. The 6'3", 305-pound sophomore spelled Dykes when size was needed last season but needs to improve in all areas. D.J. Shaw, a junior college transfer, could push or take over there. Scooter Berry had a nice freshman season at tackle but needs to get in better shape. At defensive end, Zac Cooper is the early leader, but four-star junior college recruit Tevita Finau could make waves immediately.

Linebackers

Stewart loves his linebackers. “The strength (on defense) is our linebackers — no ifs, ands or buts,” he says. “Our linebackers can run like scalded dogs. Like hungry scalded dogs.” Middle linebacker Reed Williams returns after leading the team in tackles last season with 107. He’s regarded as the smartest player on the team, although he still needs more muscle mass, especially after missing spring drills to repair torn labrum cartilage in both shoulders. Luckily for Stewart, Pat Lazear’s move to the middle was a hit in spring drills. Known for his physical play, Lazear has loads of talent. Mortty Ivy, the team’s second-leading tackler last season, is also back. A former high school quarterback, Ivy knows the game and has good speed. Stewart also found a spot on the weak side for J.T. Thomas, one of the defense’s most talented players. Thomas has spent much of his career in the coaches’ doghouse.

Defensive backs

WVU has speed and size, but the talent level is questionable. Quinton Andrews, the bandit, has the most experience (51 tackles last season) and is athletic, but he proved undisciplined at times on and off the field, much like his former backup, Charles Pugh, who was dismissed from the team. After Andrews, the experience level drops. Projected strong safety Sidney Glover provides the most after recording 18 tackles last season. Like Andrews, Glover is a hard hitter. Mundy’s spot at free safety will probably be filled by Boogie Allen, who needs to improve in breaking on the ball. The corners are also concerns. Kent Richardson and Ellis Lankster could get the starting nods.

Specialists

Pat McAfee is The Man in regard to WVU’s special teams. He handles the team’s kickoff, punt, field goal and extra point duties and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist last season. “I think he has the strongest leg in the country,” Stewart says. McAfee has his holder and snapper back in Jeremy Kash and Adam Hughes. Devine may or may not return kickoffs, depending upon the depth at tailback, along with Sanders. Lankster could be the team’s punt returner.

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