Observations From West Virginia's Spring Game

Tonight was the annual "Blue-Gold" game for the West Virginia Football team.

It was the culmination of the Spring practice sessions that have taken place at Milan Puskar Staidum throughout April. For the first time ever, the game took place on Friday night and seemed to be a big success.

In the glorified scrimmage, the Blue team handily defeated the Gold 38-0.

The Blue team was comprised of the first unit offense and defense and the Gold team (which were dressed in white uniforms) was fielded with members of the second team and other reserves.

Here's some notes I took from the game.

• The turnout was strong as the entire lower west end of the stands was filled to capacity. The announced attendance was 21,029. This was very encouraging to see since proceeds from the game helps to benefit the WVU Children's Hospital.
  
• Geno Smith did not play as expected because of his ongoing recovery from a foot injury. Therefore, Coley White handled the quarterbacking duties for both offenses.
• Scooter Berry and J.T. Thomas, both seasoned defensive veterans, did not take part in the game either and both were in street clothes.
• The touchdown plays were as follows

1. Shawne Alston 2 yard rushing TD (1st Quarter)
   
2. Noel Devine 7 yard rushing TD (3rd Quarter)
   
3. Coley White to Stedman Bailey for 44 yard passing TD (3rd Quarter)
   
4. Coley White to Jock Sanders for an 18 yard passing TD (4th Quarter)
   
5. Coley White to Stedman Bailey for a 2 yard passing TD (4th Quarter)

• Corey Smith handled the kicking duties for an injured Tyler Bitancurt. He was a perfect five for five on extra points and added a 38-yard field goal in the first half.
• Senior Matt Timmerman occupied the right tackle spot for the blue team. It was the only open offensive line position coming into camp.
• Quarterback Coley White relied mainly on check down and short passes. With the exception of the long pass to Bailey, the downfield passing game was almost non-existent. The QB's game can be summed up as a so-so effort. He made some nice throws but at times, his lack of accuracy, especially on longer throws, was certainly glaring. It is expected that White will be moving to receiver for fall camp.
• Running Back Noel Devine had a nice night. He had two nice runs of over fifteen yards and added a nice short touchdown run to cap things off.
  
• Running Back Ryan Clarke was a non-factor only rushing twice for minimal games.
• Running Back Shawne Alston took snaps for both offenses and showed good things. He looks to be a good change of pace option when Devine needs a breather.
  
• Receiver Tavon Austin has game-breaking speeed and showed it on both end arounds and a nice 17-yard pick up on a short flat pass. He had an encouraging night and definitely looks primed for a breakout year.
• Offensive Coordinator Jeff Mullen looks like he is going to get the ball in the hands of Austin and Sanders using both screens and end arounds this season.
• Linebacker Anthony Leonard was the most active member of the Blue defense, making numerous plays in the backfield.
• Robert Sands is a tree. The 6'5" safety is the definition of long with the height and arm length to be a big-time disruptor in the passing game. He looks like he will be used as the "center fielder" in the defense. He definitely passes the eyeball test.
  
• At the end of the first half, corner Brandon Hogan interecepted a White deep out and was able to return it over thirty yards.
  
• Eddie Davis is going to need some ice. The second team receiver took two huge shots during the game. The second hit, coming courtesy of Sidney Glover, echoed throughout the stadium.
• Most of the offense came from the shotgun. There were very few plays that originated from under center. With Geno Smith running the show, that could very well change.
• Receiver Stedman Bailey looks like he could be something. Bailey, a redshirt freshman, looks like he could be a quality fit for this offense and has made great strides this spring. At 5'10", he won't scare off any DBs with his size but his speed, improved route running and understanding of the system could definitely help out this offense in 2010.
• No second team player for the Gold squad stood out substantially in the game but a name to watch could be Daquan Hargrett. He may be on the smallish side (5'6"), but he never backs down from a collision and packs a punch when he runs.

All in all, the first team looked strong.

I would have liked to see a few more younger guys step up and make a name for themselves, but it was hard considering the circumstances.

It's impossible to judge anything for sure with a near empty stadium and the first team thoroughly manhandling the reserves, but I think the night was a positive one.

This may be just a glorified practice scrimmage, but there were signs tonight that this team has the makings of a Big East championship contender.

A lot will depends on how Smith develops in preseason camp.

If I were to award an MVP tonight, it would go to Bailey. That's encouraging since this team needs to have a fourth wide receiver step up.

Bailey definitley looks like he could be that guy.

As the team heads into preseason workouts, here's a look at how the lineup shapes up at this point.

Offense

Quarterback: Geno Smith (Sophomore, 6‘3" 210)

Running Back: Noel Devine  (Senior, 5‘8" 180)

X Receiver: Bradley Starks (Junior, 6‘3" 190)

Z Receiver: Tavon Austin (Sophomore, 5‘9" 173)

S Receiver: Jock Sanders (Senior, 5‘7" 179)

Tight End: Tyler Urban (Junior, 6‘5" 249)

Left Tackle: Don Barclay (Junior, 6‘4" 304)

Left Guard: Josh Jenkins (Junior, 6‘3" 300)

Center: Joe Madsen (Sophomore, 6‘4" 290)

Right Guard: Eric Jobe (Senior, 6‘2" 290)

Right Tackle: Matt Timmerman (Senior, 6'3" 294)


Defense

Defensive Tackle: Scooter Berry (Junior, 6‘1" 287)

Nose Tackle: Chris Neild (Senior, 6‘2" 301)

Defensive End: Julian Miller (Junior, 6‘4" 260)

Strongside Linebacker: Pat Lazear (Senior, 6‘0" 237)

Middle Linebacker: Anthony Leonard (Senior, 6‘1" 246)

Weakside Linebacker: J.T. Thomas (Senior, 6‘2" 225)

Cornerback: Brandon Hogan (Senior, 5‘10" 189)

Cornerback: Keith Tandy (Junior, 5‘10" 198)

Bandit Safety: Sidney Glover (Senior, 5‘11" 207)

Strong Safety: Terrence Garvin (Sophomore, 6‘3" 215)

Free Safety: Robert Sands (Junior, 6‘5" 221)