Published: September 15, 2008 11:44 pm         

Stewart says Williams is ready to play

MORGANTOWN — It became definite Monday afternoon.     

Coach Bill Stewart announced that Reed Williams, last year’s leading tackle, will play in West Virginia’s football game against Colorado Thursday night in Boulder, Colo.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior from Moorefield will start at middle linebacker after having sat out the team’s first two games. He had undergone operations on both shoulders last February, and a medical redshirt had been a possibility.

“I left it up to him and the medical people, and he’s now ready to go,” Stewart said. “ He’s one special guy. He feels like he now can play.

“Reed lends an air of excitement to our football team.”

Stewart believes his return will benefit the squad psychologically as well as physically. Besides making 107 tackles last season, Williams had six stops for lost yardage, a sack, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Two other seniors, Mortty Ivy and John Holmes, likely will start at the other two linebacking positions.

Stewart said the Mountaineers (1-1), now ranked No. 21 in The Associated Press poll, showed tremendous confidence and senior leadership during preparations for this first-ever meeting with Colorado (2-0). Practices were hard and spirited.

West Virginia has been installed as a three-point favorite. The contest is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Stewart said the Buffaloes have a very exciting team and are fun to watch when you don’t have to play against them.

The no-huddle offense has a fast tempo, with Cody Hawkins an outstanding quarterback and two fine, big ends. There are some new as well as old players on that unit, according to Stewart.

“Cody Hawkins is (head coach) Dan Hawkins’ son, and he has a good grasp of what they want to do,” he noted. “So it will be challenging for our defense.

“Defensively, they are a lot like East Carolina with all starters seniors and juniors. It’s a veteran, veteran defense.”

Stewart said Joe Smith might be the best kick and punt returner in the nation. “Our kickoff and punt teams really have to strain to keep Smith in check. He can really go.”

West Virginia certainly would like to get an early jump on Colorado, he admitted, but the Buffaloes never quit. They came back from a 17-point deficit to defeat Eastern Washington. The other victory was against Colorado State.

“They will fight you for all four quarters,” Stewart said. “We’ll have our hands full. They can finish (a game). So I hope we can start with a bang and stay on them.

“Our offense feeds off our defense and our defense feeds off the offense. If the defense can stop them on first down, that makes the second and third down calls more critical.”

Stewart reasoned that when you play fast and don’t make hay on first down, that’s not always good. He said WVU intends to use more players in this third game of the season.

The Mountaineers will practice here at about noon today, then fly to Colorado by chartered jet later in the day.