subscriber servicessubscribecontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published: July 16, 2008 12:47 am    print this story   comment on this story  

WVU O-line has target on its back

By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian

MORGANTOWN West Virginia University’s offensive line, which returns all five starters from last year, is ranked No. 1 in the country by one preseason publication and No. 4 by another.

“That just puts a big target on our backs,” All-America tackle Ryan Stanchek said. “But, actually, that’s the way you want to be. You want that target. Sure, it puts pressure on us to go out and perform.

“But I love pressure. That’s just me.”

The 6-4, 303-pound senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, doesn’t think it bothers any of his teammates along the front line. Like him, they just go out and do their jobs very well, day in and day out.

Stanchek and left guard Greg Isdaner lead the way. They have started 29 and 22 games, respectively. All-Big East performers Jake Figner at right guard Mike Dent at center and right tackle Selvish Capers round out the starting cast.

Some of the backups also have game experience.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal (to be ranked high nationally),” Stanchek said. If you asked some guys on the team, they probably wouldn’t even know (about the No. 1 ranking).”

But Stanchek noted that this is certainly the deepest group of linemen since he has been here.

He said WVU players think about running, conditioning and getting ready for the start of preseason camp during summer workouts. That’s pretty much the prevailing mindset.

The Mountaineers also have spent some time going over the plays, particularly the new stuff installed on both sides of the ball during spring practice.

“Everybody does things together,” Stanchek said. “I think that’s why the O-line is such a tight group. We have a really great group of guys”

He and Dent missed most of spring practice while rehabbing after off-season surgery. But both have been working hard this summer and are eager to get going when practice starts on Saturday, Aug. 2

Stanchek, in his fifth year, just turned 22 and considers himself as the line’s “young old man.” The 6-4, 285-pound Dent, a senior, is the oldest at 24.

In all, there are four seniors up front and every one of those can be a leader. Stanchek said he’s not as vocal of some players, but he does try to lead by example.

print this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Residence Director
Fairmont State University is seeking to fill the full time position of Residence Director.  Please apply online at www.f...>MORE

Warehouse or Sales Person
DFW Furniture now seeking p/t Warehoue Person & Comm. Sales Rep, Comm +Hrly + Spiffs. Apply within Middletown Mall...>MORE

Kings Jewelry
Part Time Sale Position
Kings Jewelry in Meadowbrook Mall, is seeking
part time sales Associates.
Res
...>MORE

LPN / RN
WVU Cheat Lake
Physicians, a service of WVU Hospitals, has a full-time position for a
Licensed Practical Nur
...>MORE

SENIOR GRAPHIC
SENIOR GRAPHIC
DESIGNER

A Morgantown marketing firm is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer who completes
...>MORE

Production Assembly Tech
WANTED Production Assembly Tech.
Wiring experience preferred. Competitive wage + benefits. Send Resume and/or Appli
...>MORE

In-Home Services Supervisor
In-Home Services Supervisor for social necessity services. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree in social service or...>MORE

Maintenance person
Maintenance person needed for youth residential facility located in Fairmont. Must have high school diploma or equivalen...>MORE

Vocational Assessment Program Manager
EMBED PBrush
CENTER FOR
EXCELLENCE IN
DISABILITIES (CED)
ROBERT C. BYRD HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER...>MORE

Automotive Sales Positions
FREEDOM KIA
Come Join Morgantown’s Fastest Growing
Car Dealership!
Automotive Sales Positions

...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index