MORGANTOWN — “We had a very, very spirited and very, very physical practice,” Coach Bill Stewart said Monday evening in briefing the media on the 11th preseason football practice at Mountaineer Field/Milan Puskar Stadium.
“It was a tough practice. There was some real banging. If you don’t love football, it’s one you shouldn’t have been in. It was very good to see that.”
Apparently irked by something he had read, a fired-up Stewart said some people say that he’s an optimist whereas he insists that he’s neither an optimist nor a pessimist in talking about his football squad.
“I’m a realist,” he emphasized. “If someone does good, they will be told that. If someone doesn’t do well, they will be told that. And if they don’t like it, they will be shown the door.
“You may not like that. You may not agree. Well, I don’t care what you think, I’m going to control my attitude. I’m happy because I have a lovely bride and lovely young. So that’s off my chest.”
Returning to his thoughts about the day’s practice session, he said the offense showed sure signs of jelling and had the better of the day’s going. That is, until the defense began asserting its superiority toward the end of the afternoon.
“It was old-fashioned football, just like the old days of Pappy Lewis at Jackson’s Mill,” Stewart continued. “There were some big hits on the offensive side. But the defense swarmed late to make up for (the earlier play).”
He said some on defense should quit reading their press clippings because that’s affecting their performances. “They got knocked right in their teeth. They have to remember that they still have to get off blocks and make tackles,” he said.
But in goal line skirmishing, the defenders responded by dominating the action.
Stewart noted that there were a very intense 15 minutes “with people flying everywhere.”
NOTES: All-America offensive tackle Ryan Stanchek participated fully in practice for the first time since camp opened. “He was going full motor,” Stewart said. ... The Mountaineers will have two practice sessions on Tuesday. They may even scrimmage both in the morning and afternoon … Defensive lineman Pat Liebig still hasn’t heard a decision by the NCAA on his request for a sixth year of eligibility ...
Devon Lyons, a transfer wideout from Ohio State, decided to quit the squad — Stewart said he’s leaving with best wishes from everyone.
Mickey Furfari
WVU ‘very, very physical’
- Mickey Furfari
-
-
FURFARI COLUMN - City council to honor Mountaineers
It seems fitting that Morgantown City Council has decided to honor West Virginia University’s 2011 champion football team.
Mayor Jim Manilla will preside at a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday evening in the council chamber. -
FURFARI COLUMN - Cronin says Kevin Jones is NBA caliber
Kevin Jones, the leader of the surprising West Virginia University men’s basketball team, continues to be No. 1 in the Big East in both scoring (20.7 ppg) and rebounding (11.3).
-
FURFARI COLUMN - Admirers will miss Joe Paterno
I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Joe Paterno last Sunday at 85 in State College, Pa.
-
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU football captains named for 2011 season
Coach Dana Holgorsen has announced that a junior and three seniors have been named permanent captains of West Virginia University’s 2011 football squad.
They are quarterback Geno Smith, offensive tackle Don Barclay, linebacker Najee Goode and cornerback Keith Tandy. -
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU to receive fourth Lambert Trophy
West Virginia University’s earth-shattering 70-33 victory over favored Clemson was witnessed by football TV viewers from coast to coast.
But the fact that the Mountaineers won another Lambert Trophy in the process hasn’t become as well known. That is symbolic of NCAA Division I supremacy in the East. -
FURFARI COLUMN: Hinds doing ‘great job’ as new WVU point guard
Coach Bob Huggins thinks freshman Jabarie Hinds has done a great job as a point guard for the West Virginia University men’s basketball team this season.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., signed with WVU in November 2010 as a shooting guard. -
FURFARI COLUMN: WVU’s 43-0 win at Syracuse a Nehlen Favorite
West Virginia, ranked No. 11 at the time, smashed Syracuse 43-0 in football on Oct. 30, 1993 in upstate New York in what remains the Orange’s biggest beating in this old and at times, bitter, rivalry.
It has to be one of the most cherished victories in Hall of Famer Don Nehlen’s 21 years as the Mountaineer head coach. -
FURFARI COLUMN: What is Dunlap going to do?
Where will veteran Steve Dunlap end up as West Virginia University puts together a new defensive coaching staff?
That is, if he decides to return to his alma mater through the 2012 football season as stated in his contract. -
FURFARI COLUMN - Cignetti not surprised by Saban’s success
Frank Cignetti, head coach at West Virginia University from 1976-79, has been a longtime admirer of Nick Saban’s football coaching ability.
He gave the Marion County native one of his first jobs, as coach of the Mountaineers’ defensive secondary in 1978-79. -
FURFARI COLUMN - Austin’s return is great news for WVU
I know a guy who couldn’t be happier that Tavon Austin has decided to return for his senior year of West Virginia University football.
- More Mickey Furfari Headlines
-
FURFARI COLUMN - City council to honor Mountaineers
