The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

April 6, 2008

Hogan figures to fill big role at West Virginia

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — If his potent performance in Saturday’s scrimmage is any indication, Brandon Hogan will earn a major role in West Virginia University’s offense this fall.

The 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore from Manassas, Va., sparkled at both the slot receiver and H-back positions. He caught 24- and 17-yard passes for touchdowns and also scored on an eight-yard run.

“Not many people can make that throw,” coach Bill Stewart said of the perfect pass by a back-pedaling Jarrett Brown. “That was impressive to see. It’s all about timing. When you see things like that, it gets you excited.”

Hogan caught the ball in the right corner of the end zone.

Hogan lettered as a wide receiver last season and also was used on special teams. He had 12 receptions for 67 yards, but was a quarterback in high school on a 14-0 state championship team.

“Brandon Hogan can play quarterback in this offense,” Stewart suggested, “and play it well. He will be a pretty special player. He really had a fine day (Saturday).”

Hogan was the top receiver with six catches for 67 yards and rushed three times for 17 yards.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether I run with the ball or catch it,” he said. “I kinda like this new offense. I liked last year’s offense. The run game is pretty much the same. The passing game has changed a little bit more.

“I think that would be more confusing to the defense. They don’t know at times who’s going to get the ball. So it’s better for us.”

Hogan said Jeff Mullen, the new offensive coordinator, hasn’t given his charges more new schemes than they can handle. He thinks the offense is getting better day by day, as indicated by just three penalties in the 80-play scrimmage.

Veteran quarterback Patrick White, who did not have one of his better days, was impressed as he watched Hogan. He believes his experience as a quarterback actually helps him as a receiver.

Hogan agrees. “I can tell (the quarterback) what I see and we can just feed off each other,” he said.

Meantime, linebackers Mortty Ivy and J.T. Thomas continue to make eye-catching plays.

“They were flying around out there,” Stewart noted.

The Mountaineers remain healthy, for the vast majority, as they head into the ninth day of spring practice. Offensive tackle Ryan Stanchek and defensive tackle Scooter Berry are expected to come off the injured list this week.

Text Only
Sports
  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010

  • BNI will usher in mat season

    This time around, the Beckley Newspapers Invitational will have a decidedly more local flavor.

    December 1, 2010

  • Huggs likes looks of young Noreen

    Perhaps it was the season. Whatever it was, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins went straight to the pie.
    Well, the figurative pie.
    Huggins had just watched his team beat Virginia Military Institute 82-66 in front of 12,367 fans at the Charleston Civic Center Saturday.

    December 1, 2010

  • Oak Hill places 3 on AA

    Whether it was opposing defenses or illness, nothing stopped Charleston Catholic’s Tom Trupo for long.

    December 1, 2010

  • Spartans open with victory

    Turnovers produce points and the Greenbrier East girls basketball team collected plenty of each en route to an 81-43 season-opening victory against Bluefield on Tuesday night.

    December 1, 2010