Published: June 14, 2008 11:44 pm         

Anderson battling back at WVU

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia fullback Maxwell Anderson is battling back from major surgery last November and hopes to compete for a starting job this fall.

The 6-foot-1, 255-pound homegrown junior was a little-used backup to senior Owen Schmitt last season until he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one knee the week before WVU played Louisville.

Anderson actually had played more as a true freshman in 2006, and that injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and also kept him out of spring practice.

But he said this week he’s pretty much back to doing everything in summer workouts.

“Yeah, in a sense I’m a forgotten guy (with the new offensive coaches),” the former Morgantown High School star said. “But you can’t worry about that. I’m just looking forward to this fall. You have a greater respect for the game. I think that’s helped me out a lot.”

Anderson has put on about 15 pounds since last fall and vows to be in the mix for the nod at fullback this year. Will Johnson, Thor Merrow and Greg Antill worked at fullback in the spring, with Sam Morrone mostly at tight end.

“I learned a lot in the meeting room and also by just watching,” Anderson said. “Now I’m doing flexibility exercises and whatever else I can do this summer before fall camp starts.”

He doesn’t think the new wrinkles on offense, as inserted by offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen, are a great deal different from last year’s schemes.

“The terminology is different. But the offense is more pass-friendly,” he said.

“I think this offense is much more balanced than last year’s was. That’s the biggest difference I see. There’s definitely more pass plays, though. And the play-calling is different along with some of the formations.”

He’s admittedly more comfortable with it. He said it’s easier to remember and that he likes the offense a lot.

“I’m a year older now, weigh more, and I’m working hard,” Anderson said. “I’ve never had any injury before as serious as this one was.”

Anderson’s father, Ernie, was a standout middle guard on the Mountaineer teams of 1981-82-83-84.