QB White tips helmet to Mountaineer defense

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — Patrick White didn’t sound overly concerned Saturday after West Virginia’s offense was clearly outshone by the defense in the second officiated scrimmage of spring football practice.

“I think most of the time the defense dominates,” the 6-2, 185-pound senior quarterback said. “They’re an excellent group. They should feel good. When we make plays (offensively), I guess I feel good because they’re one of the best defenses in the nation by far.”

What impressed head coach Bill Stewart most about the defensive performance were two pass interceptions and a safety, plus some jolting tackles that created a couple of fumbles.

“Even though we did a pretty good job, the defense carried us in some past years,” he recalled. “And we’re counting on those blue shirts to carry us in the next season. They’ve got to carry us until we get some spots filled in the offensive lineup.”

As White readily admitted, the absence of three linemen with starting experience has been making a difference this spring in the offense’s play. But he also thinks the changes instituted by Jeff Mullen, the new offensive coordinator, are still a factor.

“All the new stuff is in now,” he said. “The coaches put it in over a period of time. But it’s still a learning process, though I’m becoming more comfortable with it.”

Unofficial statistics for Saturday’s scrimmage suggest that the offense hardly was inept. The ball-movers netted 333 yards — 167 rushing and 166 passing. That certainly resembles a balanced attack.

There also was a touchdown on a two-play, 50-yard drive, four field goals and some short-gain exercise scoring.

Stewart said, “When you lose a Darius Reynaud, an Owen Schmitt, a Steve Slaton and a Mike Villagrana, you’re talking about losing some people that will be hard to replace.”

Reynaud was last year’s top receiver (64-73-12), Slaton the All-America running back (211-1,051-17), Schmitt at fullback (47-272-4) and Villagrana the starting tight end.

“So until we get jelled and get into a consistent rhythm and all that coachspeak stuff, our defense has to carry us,” Stewart stressed. “What I saw (Saturday) was what I hoped I’d see (defensive domination).”

But he admitted that it was very, very frustrating to see the offense sputter, because it has been on that side of the ball that he has spent most of his time during his eight years as an assistant on the Mountaineer staff.

“We had a safety, a hold, and five motion or jumping penalties,” Stewart noted. “I thought coming out from the two-yard line was good. We’re going to do that in next Saturday’s spring game.

“I was pleased with the way we were flying around. I’m pleased with the intensity. I’m pleased with the camaraderie.”

Stewart thinks the kicking game has been very good, with the snappers and holders performing well along with the kickers and punters.

“Just one side won Saturday, and we have two more practices to correct things on the other side,” he said.