Published: April 20, 2008 10:38 pm      

Impressive spring

Stewart pleased with team’s progression so far

MORGANTOWN — “We had a very fantastic spring,” Coach Bill Stewart said in looking back over West Virginia University’s 15 days of football practice.

“I’m very happy. There’s a lot of skill out there. But we need to pray not to get anyone injured,”

The Mountaineers came through Saturday’s Gold-Blue game with any serious injuries, just as they did after the 14 days of drills.

Stewart, preparing for his first season as the head man, thinks the squad made some significant strides during its first spring under a mostly new coaching staff.

He mentioned these among achievement:

• The players have bought into the plan that WVU must spread the field.

• They learned that they must work in the holes that the team is trying to work in.

• Will Johnson, former wide receiver, started developing into the hybrid H-back/TE/FB role filled so capably by graduated Owen Schmitt the past three years.

• Linebacking corps has become deeper and, overall, the defense looks faster and quicker.

• The kicking game has become more solid with an improved kicker/punter Pat McAfee, long snapper Adam Hughes and holder Jeremy Kash.

• Coach Dave Johnson has the offensive line pass-blocking better than it had been.

• The passing game drew greater emphasis and the receivers showed improvement.

Asked what does the staff want to find when fall camp opens in August, Stewart replied unhesitantly: “Depth! First and foremost, depth! We’ve got to have more depth, especially at running back behind Noel Devine, and also for the defensive line.”

He thinks the defensive secondary has improved, but that it has mostly young players who will make mistakes. “I thought they did a good job of keeping things in front of them,” Stewart said.

“The secondary probably will be like it was in 2006.”

Stewart said he expects to have some great recruiting news this week. He said it’s going along very well. “I’m elated about it,” he added.

He indicated that a junior-college running back from Arizona has committed to WVU, with an announcement expected soon.

Stewart thought both Patrick White and Jarrett Brown did a good job quarterbacking. Of White throwing an interception to young linebacker Pat Lazear, the coach noted that it was his only bad decision Saturday.

Hughes, senior long snapper from Princeton, W.Va., received the Tom Nickolich Award. It is presented each spring by the Blue and Gold News to a walk-on who has distinguished him through attitude and work ethic.

Stewart said, “He’s a true Mountaineer and he hasn’t made a bad snap.”