West Virginia U. head coach Bill Stewart was vividly disappointed following Saturday’s scrimmage. Stewart called the play of the defense “sloppy” and called out the team for not hustling.
“We did not play up to standards today,” Stewart said. “I’m glad we didn’t play today.
“The team that could beat West Virginia beat West Virginia today on this field.”
The offense did a majority of its work on the ground. Running back Noel Devine carried the ball four times and even broke one run for 79 yards for a touchdown.
Defensive end Julian Miller acknowledged that his unit failed to be effective at shutting down the run but also is encouraged that there is still time to improve the rest of summer.
“It was a fairly good day overall but I need to be a good solid run stopper,” said Miller. “Scooter Berry does a great job, and I need to be on the other side and complement him.”
On the 79-yard run by Devine, a penalty was called on linebacker Pat Lazear. To reprimand the offense, Stewart order Lazear to run steps while the scrimmage was still going on.
“I don’t like penalties,” said Stewart.
One of the bright spots for the defense came in the form of a 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior college transfer. Linebacker/defensive end Bruce Irvin had drawn rave reviews from players and coaches this summer. The Mountaineers were impressed by Irvin.
“Bruce Irvin is a man out there,” Stewart said. “He pass rushes, dents the pockets and he gives tremendous effort. I like the way his motor runs.”
On the opposite side of the ball, offensive lineman Don Barclay welcomes the challenge of going up against Irvin, although he was not matched up with him on Saturday.
“I like to go up against him,” Barclay said. “If I can block him I can go up against anybody.”
Irvin rushed the quarterback three times in the scrimmage and would have earned at least a pair of sacks had the quarterbacks worn the yellow “no contact” jerseys.
West Virginia has instilled what is called a 40 package on defense. The scheme consists of four down linemen with immense pressure on the quarterback. Irvin will be a centerpiece in the formation coming from around the outside right at the quarterback.
“When you try to get pressure in the middle you got to bring guys down and around, Miller said, “When you get guys up in the quarterbacks face and getting a hand up it definitely puts pressure on them.”
Inside the 20-yard line the defense did not hold tough and allowed easy scores on the ground and through the air with a pass to tight end Chris Snook.
With one scrimmage out of the way, the defense was able to gauge what needs to be done to tweak the little things. If it all comes together the veteran unit can do great things in the season.
“As a defense we need to get stronger in the red zone, but we’ll work on it a lot in the rest of camp and be good to go by the first game,” Miller said.