Welcome to the Friday Feedback, the bookend on a week that’s been pleasantly packed with recruiting news. Hey, this genre might catch on! And here’s why: There’s more to the stories than touchdowns and tackles, verticals and 40 times.
Before Eugene Smith is allowed to scramble on water, let’s not only remember he’s a high school senior so many people expect will come in and not only play right away, but help immensely, but also still just a young kid prone to bad plays and bad days.
Whilst on his way to Miramar High’s first state semifinal appearance, he had one of those bad days and a bunch of bad plays against Deerfield Beach. Smith was sacked 14 times. I never wedged this into a story and I wish I had because it is somewhat indicative of the kid, who he is and what he can become.Â
“You would have never known it,” said his coach and former WVU linebacker Damon Cogdell. “Most kids who get sacked 14 times would be cussing and fussing at his linemen. Eugene never did that. He was picking them up and trying to keep them going and doing their job in a playoff game.”
Miramar won the game and advanced to that historic semi as Smith led a third consecutive fourth quarter game-winning drive. How’s that happen? Funny you should ask.
“The 14 sacks weren’t on my o-line. It was me missing a lot of reads and kind of holding onto the ball too long and getting sacked as a result,” he said. “That’s not something where I’d get too down on myself for and I wouldn’t get too down on anyone else. I would’t start fussing after a couple of sacks because I make mistakes too and I wouldn’t want my receivers fussing at me for bad throws or bad reads.”
I’m guessing the WVU staff took note of this game and rather than critique indecisiveness in the pocket or a slow release, marveled at what happened after the play. Yes, he could play for me.
Onto the Feedback. As always — wait! This regrettably and inexcusably slipped through the cracks: The BPF will not get a boost from the stimulus package.
It turns out the practice facility didn’t qualify for the stimulus wish list, anyway. It didn’t belong on the list, period.
The latest version of the package forbids universities from using higher education grants for new buildings or facilities that are primarily used for athletics. The funds are meant for things like energy efficient retrofittings, roof repairs, asbestos abatement and technology upgrades.
Back in mid-December, the WVU Board of Governors approved construction of the basketball facility, a 64,000-square foot building adjacent to the WVU Coliseum. It’s considered to be an 18-month construction project — but the board made the project contingent upon private funding.
The Mountaineer Athletic Club says $4 million has been raised toward the total cost and $22.5 million as been pledged, but the BPF, according to MAC Executive Director Niles Eggleston, is “not going to happen as timely as the coaches might have wanted.”
Yikes. OK, onto the Feed — wait! West Virginia’s Mt. Rushmore, which is not to be confused with Oll Stewart’s trusted three reporters, is out and the Mountain State opted for the Logo, Huff, Mary Lou and the Rand U graduate. Pretty neat. Neatest? Probably Alabama. Least neat? Maine. Surprisingly neat? South Dakota. Surprisingly not neat? Florida.
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, don’t be discouraged.
How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love Coach Stewart said:
Being completely honest, I feel that from a pure ‘on the court contribution’ sense, by next year Truck may be just as good as Mazzulla BUT he lacks the leadership and maturity that Joe brings to the table.
Also, I have to think that Huggs is not overly disappointed with this development. It is pretty obvious that he is ready to move on from Belein’s era (because he has been starting 3 freshmen over more mature players Belien recruited) and although it may hinder us this year it EXPONENTIALLY increases the development of Truck, which is only a good thing.
No coincidence Truck’s little slide here lately has coincided with WVU’s. The team just needs an efficient point guard to keep Ruoff and Butler in their natural roles and positions and Will Thomas isn’t getting it done in his limited role behind Truck. This, more than anything else, is where WVU really misses Joe and it’s probably why Ebanks has started to do some of the ball-handling. The Mountaineers can’t afford to take Ruoff and Butler out of their best spots. But, yes, for the time being, Truck is getting an accelerated education.
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