By Dave Morrison
MORGANTOWN — Tyler Bitancurt may have added a new title to his job description.
In the Mountaineers’ 30-19 loss to South Florida, Bitancurt replaced Josh Lider on kickoffs.
“Right after I kicked the field goal, coach asked me if I wanted to kick off, and of course, I said, ‘Yeah,’” Bitancurt said.
“I may have a couple guys kick off,” coach Bill Stewart said. “There are reasons Josh Lider has kicked off for us. No. 1, he has done a good job. No. 2, it is very difficult to kick field goals, kick off and punt. We had a guy do that last year (Pat McAfee) who went on to punt in the NFL. It’s a tough swing.
“I don’t know who will kick off this weekend. I will have to watch this week. They compete just like every other position, and I will decide on Saturday who I think had the best week.”
The Mountaineers will host Louisville at noon Saturday. The game will be shown on the Big East Network (locally on WOAY-TV 4, ABC).
Bitancurt would welcome the new role, even if it meant getting back to working double time.
“I would (practice kickoffs) every now and then, but definitely not as much as I would have if I was the starting kicker,” he said. “I’ve been practicing much more now instead of just once a week like I had been.
“I can only practice kicking so much without running down my leg. I’ll have to start doing less field goal reps now that I’m practicing kickoffs.”
For the season, Bitancurt has converted 7-of-8 field goals and 29-of-30 extra points.
While Louisville hasn’t named a starter at QB for the game, WVU defensive lineman Julian Miller isn’t worried about who takes the snaps.
In fact, he said it might be better if the Cardinals go back to either of their former starters, Adam Froman or Justin Burke, who have missed time with injuries. Redshirt freshman Will Stein started the Cardinals’ last game.
“It seems like they’re more shaky in the pocket and they’re not as comfortable as they were before the injury,” Miller, who leads the team with 5 1/2 sacks, said.
But it can be a double-edged sword.
“On the other hand, now they’re playing like they have something to prove and making plays that they usually don’t make,” Miller said.
You won’t find safety Robert Sands throwing stones at fellow defensive back Keith Tandy, who gave up two big plays — a 49-yard touchdown and a 69-yard gainer — in the loss to USF.
“Coach doesn’t want us to come down on each other and say it was (Tandy’s) fault because it wasn’t just one person’s fault,” Sands said. “There were other people on that field and we didn’t put enough pressure on the quarterback for that to happen to Tandy. He doesn’t want us to be pointers. We just need to come together and win the rest of these games.”
Linebacker Reed Williams has been named one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association’s annual sportsmanship award.
The award is given to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship. The 2009 recipient will be chosen from one of these 10 finalists and announced in December. Finalists are represented from a variety of schools of all sizes throughout the United States from West Virginia and Kansas to Indiana and Illinois.
According to the ARA, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor; be an athlete in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
Former BYU coach LaVell Edwards chairs the selection committee.
“We’re uncovering some of the finest players the sport has to offer,” Edwards said. “These young men have a common thread of a positive attitude, strong work ethic and sense of fair play that is translated to their conduct on and off the playing field.”
— E-mail: demorrison@
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