I don’t think short yardage is going to be as crippling a problem as it was in 2008. WVU has practiced short-yardage sets as much as anything else in recent years and many of the offensive linemen are older and more physically mature. Add Ryan Clarke as a tailback and bigger, stronger guys like Tyler Urban and Will Johnson as additional blockers and it’s a more potent group.

But moving Clarke from fullback to tailback leaves a void and one that needs filled. Looks like Parkersburg’s Matt Lindamood can handle that. On Satuday he proved his fondness for initiating contact.

Lindamood had taken a handoff and broken outside around the right end, a rather imposing sight at 6-0 and 234 pounds. Cook, however, is nothing to sneeze at himself, packing 205 pounds onto his 5-11 frame.

As the two hit, it seemed as though time stood still as Cook crumbled, his helmet coming off his head.

Robert Sands, the safety, had the best description of what had taken place.

“They both came with bad intentions on their mind.”

Lindamood continued to rumble as Cook grabbed for helmet, perhaps not sure if his head was still in it. It wasn’t until 63 yards down field that Lindamood was finally corralled.