By Bob Hertzel
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN —
The Geno Smith era at quarterback at West Virginia University began with a victory.
Although making just his first start, Smith was on target most of the day and efficient in his passing. He completed 20 of 27 for 216 yards and two touchdowns, but he did throw one interception.
Smith, who is not an accomplished runner, ran more than expected, carrying the ball four times for six yards.
“We aren’t going to run the wishbone, but he is going to have to run some,” said WVU coach Bill Stewart, explaining why he decided to use him as a runner in the offense.
Smith took a while to get into the game.
“I thought our offense misfired early,” Stewart said. “I don’t want to make excuses for Geno, but this was his first complete game and he’s a sophomore. The pick was a bad break. He’ll get better and he’s my guy.”
Smith was pleased with his performance but not overwhelmed.
“We did what we had to do to win,” he said. “We got the ball in the hands of our playmakers. I’m satisfied, but I can do better.”
Barry Brunetti, the true freshman out of Memphis, saw his first college action and completed 3 of 5 passes but had no total yards. Jeremy Johnson, the other freshman, did not play, although Stewart said he would have liked to have gotten him into the game.
“I wanted to see both young men play, but we couldn’t,” he said.
Obviously, though, he doesn’t plan to redshirt either QB.
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Heralded pass rusher Bruce Irvin saw his first action and had a couple of hurries of the Coastal Carolina quarterback but could not get his first sack.
He had 15 sacks last year in junior college ball in California.
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Punter Greg Pugnetti had a stunning debut. He averaged 49.2 yards on six punts, with a long of 71.
The 71-yard punt, just before halftime, was beyond description, rolling dead at the Coastal Carolina 1, one of two punts he hit that were downed at the 1 and one of three inside the 20.
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It appears the problems with WVU’s kickoff coverage have been solved with a combination of using the best athletes on the coverage team and a kickoff man in Corey Smith who twice reached the end zone and one kicked to the goal line.
Coastal Carolina ran six kickoffs back just 94 yards, an average only 16 yards a return.
Last year WVU was among the bottom 10 in the nation in kickoff coverage.
“If we keep it up, it will be neat,” Stewart said.
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There were some scary injury moments in the game.
Safety Robert Sands, who made a number of huge plays, as usual, came with what seemed to be a stinger in his right shoulder, went back in for one play and wound up on the ground in pain having injured his thumb. It is not believed serious.
Right guard Cole Bowers limped off with what seemed to be a knee injury but that, too, was not serious.
Wide receiver Tavon Austin, after a thrilling run, went down on the sideline with what seemed to be a hamstring, but it was just cramps.
“We practice in 90 degree weather all summer and get cramps today,” said an amazed Stewart.
Austin felt he was probably dehydrated in part due to the adrenalin of the opener and promised to drink more fluids before the Marshall game.
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Running back Noel Devine and wide receiver Jock Sanders, two of the team’s seniors and captains, declined post-game interviews after having been really easy to deal with all summer leading into the season.
Sanders had eight receptions and now ranks fifth all-time at WVU with 145. Devine rushed for 111 yards and touchdown, giving him 3,492 rushing yards, fifth best all-time.
E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.
