subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Published: September 08, 2008 11:28 pm    print this story  

Stewart: Mountaineers must learn from loss

By Mickey Furfari
For The Register-Herald

MORGANTOWN — “We have to find our own identity, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” coach Bill Stewart said Monday of the struggling 2008 West Virginia University football squad.

“It’s a different team from 2007. I reminded our players it’s their responsibility to go out and play harder. They have to don the gold and blue and play with a passion.”

Speaking on the Big East’s weekly teleconference, Stewart said the Mountaineers must learn from last Saturday’s shocking 24-3 loss at East Carolina. That dropped West Virginia from eighth to 25th place in The Associated Press and propelled the Pirates out of nowhere to 14th.

“We’re putting that game behind us and have started preparing a game plan for the game at Colorado (Sept. 18),” he continued. “The Buffaloes are a very good football team and hitting on all cylinders.”

Colorado is 2-0 after beating Colorado State 38-17 and Eastern Washington 31-24. 

Stewart said his coaches and players got a lot done on Sunday. They studied tapes of the East Carolina game, reviewed mistakes made, and discussed correcting those while also trying to make a few changes.

He again gave ECU coach Skip Holtz’s staff and players credit for building the program the past three years into Top 25 status. The Pirates now own victories over ranked opponents in their last three games, dating back to last year’s bowl win against Boise State.

“We played a very solid, sound football team,” Stewart stressed. “I compliment them.

“Now we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us. It looks like (the Buffaloes) are trying to find out their identity. Colorado has big backs, fine wide receivers and good players on defense.”

Stewart said the lack of passion by the Mountaineers against East Carolina did not surprise him, but did frustrate him a little bit. “You have to go out and make plays,” he added. “We told our players not to get stressed but just to go out and play.”

Blocking and tackling will get considerable attention in this week’s practice sessions. He pointed out that there are seven new starters on defense this season and the offense misses fullback Owen Schmitt as well as All-America running back Steve Slaton, both of whom now are playing in the National Football League.

Stewart said he is not overly alarmed by reports that some fans are jumping off the bandwagon. He explained that the team must take each game as it comes up in order to qualify for a 13th game in a postseason bowl.

“You’ve got to play 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on to reach 13,” he said. “It still goes back to making plays. When they block you longer than you want to be blocked, they’re going to make plays.”

Asked how senior quarterback Patrick White is taking to the new wrinkles in the WVU spread offense, Stewart replied: “Good. We like to put the ball in his hands and spread the wealth. Patrick has done a great job.

“He gets better and better each day. And the wide receivers have to continue to get better catching the ball. We had some drops again Saturday.”

print this story  



autoconx

Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

CERTIFIED WV UNDERGROUND COAL MINER OPERATORS
GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance is seeking experienced Certified West Virginia Underground Coal Miner Operators. Immedia...>MORE

CERTIFIED SURFACE MINE ELECTRICIANS
Republic Energy is accepting applications and resumes for certified surface mine electricians. Experience with electric ...>MORE

PLANT FOREMAN AND PLANT MAINTENANCE CHIEF
Nicholas Energy is accepting applications and resumes for Plant Foreman and Plant Maintenance Chief. If you are looking ...>MORE

MACHINIST, PART-TIME DRIVE, LEAN MANUFACTURING PROCESS / WORK ORDER COORDINATOR
Join the Brake Supply Heavy Equipment Team! BRAKE SUPPLY a leading supplier of parts and components for the heavy duty, ...>MORE

STORE ATTENDANT
Now taking applications for Store Attendant. This position is responsible for the movement of furniture in the store, l...>MORE

PROGRAM STAFF POSITION
Mountain State Centers for Independent Living is now accepting applications for a Program Staff Position to work with pe...>MORE

REGISTRAR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Institute, WV. Invites applications for the following positions: • Reg...>MORE

UNDERGROUND COAL MINING POSITIONS - MAMMOTH
MAMMOTH COAL, a subsidiary of Massey Energy is accepting experienced underground applicants. Our expanding operations ar...>MORE

INDUSTRIAL TIRE / MINE TIRE PRESSMAN
Industrial Tire / Mine Tire pressman needed - skilled tire tech to operate press equipment used to service underground m...>MORE

NUTRITION EDUCATOR
Nutrition Educator. The West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Technical Support Network, Inc. (TSN) administers a Sup...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Jobs

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index