Bleacher Report - Articles by David Kuykendall

Please Excuse Poor Performance: New Driver Jarret Brown Behind the Wheel

David Kuykendall — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:29:10 -0400

Well WVU rolls by Syracuse today after a very poor performance by the WVU offense and coaching staff (Jeff Mullen). The only person who seemed to know what he was doing was Noel Devine, who broke LaDainian Tomlinsons record for the longest rushing TD.

The precious record was 89 yds against UTEP; the new record is 92 yds against hated Syracuse. While sports media will look down on this and give WVU an underdog ticket going into this Thursday's Auburn game, I ask that fellow WVU fans excuse Jarret Brown's performance.

With today being only his second start, I give him a B for effort. While he threw less than stellar, I remind you that he only threw four passes deeper than 10 yards, and that is do to play calling.

Today we saw about eight to nine screens for a total of 30 yards and a TD, not exactly what a QB wants in play calling, nor fans for that matter. With less than a week to go to a game that could give WVU a little national respect, I fear Jeff Mullen has yet to realize that something is wrong.

Don't get me wrong; I don't want him fired.......just demoted or put on restriction because he obviously doesn't see that not only is passing short bad, but passing backwards is bad.

I do see some improvement though. Our offensive line seems to be doing better on the run; now we just need the pass blocking and play calling to get better and we are back to our old ways.

With that being said, we finally saw Noel Devine breaks into open field and put to the game to rest with a 92-yard monster of a run with three minutes left.

Most people will not know about this due to media partisanship, but make no mistake, it was amazing. I don't think WVU will lose to Auburn, but I do think it will be a test for Mullen.

If we win this one handily with good play calling and good execution, it will be the game that tells us how good this coaching staff is.

West Virginia-Marshall: A Day Away from a Mountaineers' Statement

David Kuykendall — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:07:08 -0400

Well, it was a little over a week ago that Bill Stewart blew a huge game due to his play calling, though Pat White and company were playing just fine.

I must say one-point Pat blew the game by missing a 23-yard FG to put WVU up by three points in overtime, which eventually lost the game.

I am still convinced that had Bill Stewart called better plays during the game, it wouldn't have been close as we saw. They only scored twice in regulation, so it proves the players weren't to blame.

But now is not the time for a pity party: It's time to make a statement.

While it's only Marshall, a win by 40 will say a lot about a team on fire. What needs to happen is White and Noel Devine combining for 300-plus yards on the ground, White picking up at least 180 through the air, and the defense keeping the Herd under 300 yards.

A win like that might get WVU some respect back, and if a few teams lose, I say WVU gets back into the top 25. That's only if they can keep up the fight when they play SU and RU.

You know what? Scratch that: WVU needs to win out and have White win a Heisman trophy for WVU to get their respect back. I think if anyone can get WVU back on track, Pat White can.

Fellow Mountaineers, don't lose hope: The fire may be weak, but it isn't out just yet.

West Virginia-Colorado: Oh, for the Days of Super Steve Slaton and Owen Schmitt

David Kuykendall — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:05:47 -0400

When you're gone, the pieces of my heart are missing you...

Oh, I feel that song right now guys. You can't replace good RBs like Steve Slaton and Owen Schmitt. I am writing this in loving memory of the days when WVU had Owen and Steve.

We could go for it on fourth down and not break a sweat; when one-point Pat could kick a 23-yard field goal without choking; when Pat White had never lost to an OOC team. Oh, I miss those days.

I will say though that I don't miss RROD. While I think we would have won that game with him, I still couldn't stand his play calling. But that's also why WVU lost last night.

Last night CU may have pulled the win out of their hat, but make no mistake—if the play calling would have been better, it's a 20-point game the other way. Here's why.

1. While WVU had problems against ECU with passing, it wasn't that we did pass—it was that we passed too much and not for enough yards. With that being said, last night we refused to pass. We were on their 50 and running screens and dives on second downs. It killed me to watch the play calling.

2. Defensive play calling—we continued to play that idiotic zone coverage that lost us the ECU game. We refuse to play man for no real reason. If we aren't playing it well in practice, that's one thing, but when you let a QB have two TDs in the first quarter off of zone, something needs to change.

3. Penalties and horrible calls—last night I may have seen the worst missed hold of my life. For those of you who have this recorded, I tell you: Go back and watch two plays here.

Tito Gonzalez was called for two low blocks last night. One of those would have been impossible or very, very unlikely. The second one, if you'll notice, Tito Gonzalez was hit. He fell backward standing up—not falling forwards or sideways, backwards. So either A) there was no call, or B) it was on someone else.

The worst, and I mean worst call I have ever seen was on the second fumble by Cody Hawkins, when CU recovered it.

If you'll notice Cody Hawkins fumbles it, and then a defensive lineman is getting blocked right over top of it. He's trying to fall down to scoop it up. Well the O-lineman pulls him up as he's falling multiple times so CU gets the ball and no holding call. THE WORST NO CALL I HAVE EVER SEEN!

In the end we lost, but had Stew done what he has said he will do, it would have been a blowout. You are 2-2 Stew and so far proving me wrong on your hire. If this keeps up I will not be wanting you back for a second term.

How About Some Love For WVU

David Kuykendall — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:57:40 -0400

I have been watching college football very closely this year and I have heard a lot of things that make me go huh?

First off, my article is on the disrespect that WVU is getting from the media and sportscasters; not only is is it unfair, but most of it is inaccurate.

1. WVU returns most of both defense and offense with a more experienced coaching staff than last year's team.

2. WVU has not one but two Heisman contenders on the team with realistic chances of winning.

3. People have bashed the Mountaineers for being in the BE but with the power slump in the SEC and PAC-10 the BE is more talented than most think. With two teams ranked and three receiving votes it's just a weekend away from having three to five teams in the top 25 standings.

4 While WVU has a first year BCS coach it can also be said that that they have a seasoned assisting staff and a great returning team that is overlooked in a lot of polling and comments.

With Doc Holiday and Jeff Casteel as the two wingmen, not many teams have the advantage of having three coaches qualified to be a head coach.

5. Many believe the defense is going to struggle and have a tough time being as good as they were last year, and I agree; but what some don't realize is though you would like to have a perfect team, its unrealistic to think that an imperfect defense will make this an 8-4 team and is unfair to judge that way.

In the end all my fellow Mountaineers and I want is a little respect that 3 straight January bowl wins and a 33-5 record over the last 3 years has gotten teams like USC and LSU. All we want is some love.

Chris Smelley Lives up to His Name in Nashville

David Kuykendall — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:26:27 -0400

Well as Week Two starts off with SC and Vanderbilt for those of you who haven't heard Vanderbilt has upset 24th-ranked SC.

While I did pick SC to win this week it wasn't by much I thought Vanderbilt would lose by a TD or in OT, but they did one better; they won it with smart playcalling and tough defense!

All year I've heard how playmakers will change games and while that is true we see in this case that chemistry and good play calling are key in underdog situations.

Now I'll tell why the University of South Carolina is SC instead of USC. The first reason is it would embarrass the USC of California, and second, they can never find a stable QB like Matt Leinart or Carson Palmer, they have to find a QB who cracks under pressure and not only has the name Smelley but lives up to it.

Chris Smelley could not take the pressure Vanderbilt put on him in the fourth quarter; it seemed a first down through the air would have been the work of God.

No one really knows Chris Smelley, he seemed to be a decent QB when he played at NC State but it seems The Ole Ball Coach will have to keep looking for a starting qb.

While Chris Smelley did blow it; he was without SC's No. 1 receiver and with little game experience can you really blame him? In the end, Vanderbilt played a great game and really showed us what they are capable of.

Sure, there were glimpses of it last year when they beat SC the first time and hung in with Tennessee but now it seems like they have a chance to break a 25-year bowl drought. I know I will be following Vanderbilt a little closer this year to see how they turn out; it will be interesting to see how many games they can win before losing.

The Top Five Heisman Contenders of 2008-2009

David Kuykendall — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:25:04 -0400

I noticed that there are not many articles about the Heisman this year, so I decided to write my own. I'm going to name my top five finishers and tell you who will win it at the end.

1. Tim Tebow

He won the Heisman last year with a great season, being the only player to pass and rush for a TD in every game. He definitely is the frontrunner in this race.

What are the factors working against him? He will have to be even better this year than last year and more than likely win the SEC to win the Heisman this year.

2. Pat White

He has won the Big East twice in his three years of playing, and he has never lost to an OOC team. He is electric and there isn't a defense in the nation that has been able to stop him when he has been healthy. He currently is the best active player on the all-time list and the BCS era list, and that includes Tebow.

The things that work against him are injuries. When he is healthy, he is unstoppable. When he is injured, the team tends to fall off track.

3. Chase Daniel

He is the real thing. He can run and pass, and he is one of the best at both. He is almost a shorter, faster version of Tebow, but with a better arm and more experience.

The things working against him are his height and team. Both are problems that he seems to have overcome. Still, his team could hold him down since he plays the toughest schedule of my Heisman contenders. It may be just a tough year for Daniels.

4. Michael Crabtree

Crabtree is the best WR I have had the experience of watching. While I think Percy Harvin is just as good, he is also older. Michael Crabtree is a sophomore this year, and he is amazing.

What works against him is his schedule. I don't think it is a big problem unless TTU is not bowl-worthy, which isn't going to be the case. He is a WR and has the advantage of not being the game decider and getting "brownie" points when he makes a big catch or play to win the game. He doesn't lose much if they lose to Texas or one of the Big 12 powerhouse teams.

5. Chris Wells

"Beanie" is a playmaker and has what it takes to score every time he touches the ball. I see him as the savior of the Buckeyes and a big factor in the game with USC.

Not much will hurt his chances, but I am not sure how much help he will have to have. 11 good games and everyone else has nine good games, he will have to survive this season to win a Heisman.

Well, this is the end of my article, and I reveal my winner now. The Heisman trophy goes to...

Pat White!

I know all you Tebow fans will not like this, but I take the position that if White doesn't run out of bounds like he did the second half of last season, he won't have many injuries. Without the injuries he is the best in college football.

Here are three dark horses if the aforementioned players have problems: Noel Devine, Knowshon Moreno, and Percy Harvin.

Hope you like this article and please reply in a clean way. Thank you.

Another Visit to the Top 25 Poll

David Kuykendall — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:00:25 -0400

Here is my Top 25 after looking at others' polls and reading about teams.

Now this is not what I think they will be at the end of the season, but for the beginning this is my list. I hope you agree. Please feel free to comment, as long as it's in a clean way. Thank you.

1.USC

2.OU

3.UGA

4.WVU

5.MIZZ

6.VT

7.Texas

8.KU

9.USF

10.OSU

11.LSU

12.ASU

13.UF

14.ILL

15.CINCY

16. OREGON

17.Clemson

18.UCONN

19.WAKE

20.FRESNO

21.BYU

22. RU

23.TENN

24.MICH

25.TTU

I hope you enjoyed my picks here are a few teams i think will poke their heads into the polls mid- to late-season: UL,MSU,PITT,and OREGON ST.

College Football: The Real 2008 Championship Contenders

David Kuykendall — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:53:12 -0400

So there I was, bored and looking for something to do, when I suddenly remembered that football starts in only one month! So I immediately began to wonder: Who's gonna win it all this year?

So i researched a little bit and did a schedule check, and I came up with four teams who can and very possibly might run the table.

1. West Virginia

They have a pretty tough schedule, so if they go undefeated they shouldn't have to worry about being jumped in the polls. The offense, led by QB Pat White and last year's freshmen sensation Noel Devine, will be what steers this Mountaineer team towards a national championship.

While they have a new coach, I doubt they will miss a beat, given that he was already a part of the staff. Plus, with defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel still in Morgantown, i doubt the defense will not have another top-20 season in 2008.

West Virginia will also be adding a few freshmen on both sides of the ball, but the newcomer to watch out for is sophomore Juco transfer Terrence Kerns from Maryland. He's 230, runs a 4.4, and could very well be the next Herschel Walker.

2. Oklahoma

With an experienced staff and a returning QB in Sam Bradford who broke a few freshmen records last year, we could see another Big 12 championship as well as a title bid for the Sooners. Despite the loss of Malcolm Kelly, I expect their receiving core to have another strong year. The Sooners also have a solid defense and a good schedule.

3. USC

They would have been my No. 2 team if they didn't have Ohio State scheduled, but they still hold the No. 3 spot and that's nothing to be ashamed of. With Marc Sanchez leading the Trojans' talented offense, Pete Carroll can earn a BCS ring if he can guide the Trojans through the Pac-10 schedule and against a tough OSU team. While the Trojans may have lost some amazing defensive players, they have some pretty good replacements.

4. Virginia Tech

This spot could have gone to a number of teams, but the one I think has the best chance to run the table is Virginia Tech due to their talented QB and weak schedule. With Matt Ryan gone from BC, Virginia may be the only contender against the Hokies for the ACC crown and an early top-15 spot in the polls could be all the Hokies need to crawl past the various upsets and disappointments as the season progresses.

here are a few surprise teams to check out also. USF, AU, MIZZ, and KU