subscriber servicessubscribecontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Dec 01 2008 

Published: August 24, 2008 12:31 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Back in the fold?

Williams may play in WVU opener

By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian

MORGANTOWN Linebacker Reed Williams may be playing in next Saturday’s opening game against Villanova after all.

The outstanding senior from Moorefield was in full pads and wore a blue jersey in two or three practices before this weekend’s two-day layoff. Witnesses said the shoulders on which he underwent surgery last winter held up well in contact.

It was the first banging Williams had experienced since the 48-28 upset of Oklahoma last Jan. 2 in the Fiesta Bowl. He was voted the game’s MVP.

Coach Bill Stewart had said earlier that if Williams were available for the 2008 lid-lifter, he might be used in spots. But Pat Lazear, his sophomore backup at middle linebacker, is expected to see most of the action.

Williams admittedly wants to play this season if able.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

They grew up not many miles apart in Florida, but Noel Devine and Jock Sanders couldn’t be closer than they are as sophomore speedsters for WVU.

“We’re two of a kind,” said Devine, the starting tailback. “It’s crazy all the similarities we have. We just bonded when we first came here.”

Devine is from Ft. Myers, while Sanders is a starting wide receiver from St. Petersburg who also could see action in reserve at tailback. Coach Stewart calls them the “munchkins.”

Sanders said some people back home tried to discourage him from enrolling at WVU, thinking he wouldn’t play much because of Devine’s potential. But both will tell there’s no rivalry whatsoever between the two.

Obviously high on both youngsters, Stewart has said there are three players on offense who must touch the ball the most — quarterback Patrick White and that dynamic duo.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Steve Dunlap, assistant head coach and tutor of the safeties, is managing to get around well after having undergone knee surgery in June He tore cartilage playing racquetball.

The former Mountaineer player and coach has 30 years of collegiate experience, including stints with teams that appeared in 14 bowls.

“I enjoy coaching our safeties,” Dunlap said. “They have to be versatile back there, and they’ve responded well to coaching.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

All-America offensive tackle Ryan Stanchek thinks the offensive line will be significantly deeper than it was a year ago.

“I think some (second-stringers) are going to get some playing time,” he said. Those include sophomore Eric Jobe at center and redshirt freshman Don Barclay behind Stanchek at left tackle.

Stanchek also thinks true freshman Josh Jenkins will spell guard Jake Figner at times unless he is redshirted. Jenkins is on the two-deep chart for the Villanova game.

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

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



Photos


WVU linebacker Reed Williams, recovering from shoulder surgery last winter, hopes to play in the season opener against Villanova Saturday in Morgantown. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER/Times West Virginian (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

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

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Office Assistant
OFFICE ASSISTANT

Laser Processing, Inc., a subsidiary of Swanson Industries, Inc., a worldwide supplier of hy
...>MORE

Communications Services Representative
Communications Services Representative Salary: $9.75-$10.50  Justice FCU seeks candidate to fill a vacancy at our Bridge...>MORE

Director, Physician Group Practice
Director, Physician Group Practice
North Central Wv physician management entity has opening for an aggressive, mult
...>MORE

Receptionist
Receptionist 
Morgantown accounting firm seeking receptionist. Experience with general office equipment and Micros
...>MORE

Different positions UHC
The Future of Health Care is Here (And You Could Be Too!)
The new United Hospital Center: Opening 2010!
Exci
...>MORE

Certified Electricians
LOCAL COMPANY in immediate need of Certified Electricians for commercial, residential and light industrial. Must have va...>MORE

Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant: TMS, a leading federal contractor, is seeking a motivated entry level professional to perform ...>MORE

INTERNAL AUDITOR
INTERNAL AUDITOR

JOIN THE TEAM of one of West Virginia’s fastest growing financial institutions! Fairmont Fe
...>MORE

United Hospital Center: off9
The Future of Health Care is Here (And You Could Be Too!) The new United Hospital Center: Opening 2010! Exciting Career...>MORE

Pharmacist
Full Time Pharmacist
needed no nights, weekends or holidays. Please call 367-9170 Monday - Friday 8am-5pm. Mail re
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. 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