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Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes, Kansas Week

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen displayed a lot of respect for his team’s upcoming opponent – Kansas – during his weekly media session Tuesday.

He mentioned the familiarity between the two programs, having been conference foes for the last five years, as well as a number of coaches on both sides that have crossed paths more than once during their tenures.

“Can’t face an opponent that we know more about,” Holgorsen said.

Here are some additional notes:

WVU Getting Healthy

When asked to update the status on a few injured players, Holgorsen perked up all ears in attendance when he said players like Brandon Lingafelter, Toyous Avery and, most notably, linebacker David Long, are all progressing well in their returns from injury.

All three will make the trip to Kansas this weekend, though it remains to see if any will be active.

Grier Garners “QB Gene”

Asked about WVU’s starting quarterback, and the relationship his has with the players, Holgorsen said that Will Grier has that “starting quarterback gene” that allows him to not only be a good quarterback but also has guys gravitate towards him.

Wellman Doing Well. CFB Shift?

One player in particular that Holgorsen seems to be pleased with thus far is halfback Elijah Wellman.

The head coach stated he’s done a good job blocking and acting as a “sixth O-lineman out there.”

Along those lines, he mentioned that he has seen a shift in college football of coaches using players like Wellman more often. This is because of their athleticism and versatility of being able to get out and block, as well as pass catch, out in space.

Wellman certainly fits that mold.

Jayhawks to Watch

With a slight smile on his face, Holgorsen said he didn’t want to leave anyone out when asked to highlight a few of the key players on Kansas, saying he didn’t want to motivate any Jayhawk player he didn’t name outright.

However, he did highlight a few.

Both No. 11’s – safety Mike Lee and wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. – were highlighted.

Sims racked up a conference-best 207 all-purpose yards against SE Missouri St. Lee averages seven tackles a game.

Junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. paces the Big 12 in tackles with 38, nine more than any other player.

Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen during the first half/second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)

Technology is all the rage these days, and teams are taking advantage of it. West Virginia is no different, using GPS technology to track its players.

WVU meets GPS

Wide receiver Gary Jennings ran over 10 miles two weekends ago against Virginia Tech. How does the Mountaineer coaching staff know that? GPS tracking.

The Mountaineers have begun using technologies such as that in order to gauge performance from their players.

“We measure how far, how long and how hard they’re going,” WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen said.

Not only are the players being gauged, but they are engaging the numbers.

Holgorsen said that players are comparing their numbers, which are posted for the team, against one another and that it’s even fueling some friendly competition within the program.

Prepping for Delaware St.

Tuesday was the first mandatory day for the Mountaineers following their 56-20 thumping of ECU on Saturday. Holgorsen said the players were given Sunday and Monday off to rest due to NCAA regulations based on the scheduling of the first two games.

Starting today, though, all focus is on the Hornets of Delaware State.

“I thought we did a good job of preparing like we always do,” Holgorsen said. “I don’t think this week will be any different (than any other).”

The head coach made it a point to address that WVU is focusing on this weekend’s game like they would any other, despite the opponent.

Areas of Improvement

Overall, Holgorsen seemed pleased with his team’s performance on Saturday, especially the first team unit on offense. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any needed improvements.

Players staying on their feet is one area. Holgorsen noted that players have to stay up right, especially those players that are supposed to be blocking.

He also felt that the second team unit missed out on some opportunities, excluding second-string QB Chris Chugunov.

“I thought he’s looked as good as he’s looked since I’ve been here,” Holgorsen said.

The need for speed

Most media members in attendance Saturday noticed the impact of wide receiver Marcus Simms, who caught one pass for a 52-yard touchdown.

Holgorsen also noticed the jolt he brings to the offense.

“What he brings to the table is… he brings speed, which we need,” Holgorsen said. “We need guys out there that can stretch things.”

However, the head coach emphasized that the wideout still needs to work on consistency.

Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes — ECU Week

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Virginia Tech won 31-24. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

A chipper Dana Holgorsen said during his weekly press conference Tuesday that the first quarter of Sunday’s game against Virginia Tech was an interesting experience for him since he is no longer calling the offensive plays.

Holgorsen laughingly admitted he needed to open up an extra line of communication on his headset with Director of Player Personnel Ryan Dorchester to have someone to talk to.

Holgorsen communication

For clarity, the head coach this had to be done based on precedent that he has had within the program for some time, not wanting to muddy up communications between offensive coordinator Jake Spavital and his group, and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson and his group.

Marcus Simms update

Holgorsen said that wide receiver Marcus Simms is “ready to roll,” when asked about the sophomore’s status for this weekend’s game.

The head coach commented that Simms return to the field definitely helps.

“He’s got that speed factor,” he said, later commenting that speed is something, “We desperately need that at those wideout positions.”

Fewer designed QB runs

Asked about the plans for running quarterback Will Grier, Holgorsen said there will be fewer designed runs for him, but, that Grier has shown the ability to know when to escape instinctively.

“When the games on the line he needs to do everything and anything to get first downs. And he did,” said Holgorsen.

Grier rushed for 52 yards and scrambled for two big first downs late in the fourth quarter to keep the Mountaineer offense on the field.

For his efforts, Grier was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

ECU reputation not lost

Holgorsen noted East Carolina’s reputation for taking down Power 5 schools, and that doesn’t exclude the Mountaineers.

In 2008, ECU knocked off Virginia Tech and West Virginia in back-to-back weeks to begin the season.

In this Holgorsen was effectively saying even though the Pirates suffered a loss last weekend to James Madison out of the FCS – a loss that the WVU head coach noted can be looked at as legit based on JMU’s recent success – they’re not a team the Mountaineers can take lightly, especially on a short week.

Big 12 Football Predictions: Week 3

In this Saturday, April 15, 2017 file photo, Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph throws during an intra squad spring NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State believes Rudolph has a shot at the Heisman Trophy. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

At this point conference play is so close the players can almost taste it. But one more buffer week remains separating league play in the Big 12.

Week 3 Matchups

Saturday, Sept. 16 — Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh

Delaware State at West Virginia

Iowa State at Akron

Baylor at Duke

Kansas at Ohio

SMU at TCU

Tulane at Oklahoma

Kansas State at Vanderbilt

Arizona State at Texas Tech

Texas at USC

Biggest Game

When the Longhorns defeated Notre Dame last season, plenty of people thought it was the sign that big time football was back in Austin. We were wrong. Maybe a little over a year later, when Texas goes on the road to Southern California to take on the Trojans of USC, could be a truer indication.

Potential Upset

Baylor’s only trip out of the Central Time Zone sends Matt Rhule and the Bears to Duke, a traditional basketball school that has made strides in recent history on the gridiron. The Bears are currently favored, but this is their first true competition in 2017.

Winners

OK-State (35-16); WVU (55-17); ISU (22-14); TCU (38-20); Oklahoma (45-14); K-State (24-21); TTU (55-50)

Losers

Baylor (25-30); Kansas (14-20); Texas (24-38)

Standings

T1. OK-State 3-0

K-State 3-0

WVU 3-0

Iowa State 3-0

5. TCU 2-1

Oklahoma 2-1

Baylor 2-1

Texas 2-1

9. TTU 1-1

Kansas 1-2

Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes

Getting tired of waiting for the start of the College Football season? So is Dana Holgorsen.

The Mountaineer head coach says he wishes the start of the regular season would be this weekend, not next.

Let’s Get Started

Going off that, Holgorsen sited that under the current NCAA guidelines, there is too much practice solely against one another, instead of the in-season game week practices, which are against the other team per se on account of scout teams.

He said the amount of downtime during practice that must be done to take player safety into account – changing padding, jerseys to denote which players are OK for contact.

“Five weeks is way too long,” He said.

 

Injury update

Marvin Gross and Corey Winfield are said to be, “progressing fine.”

Of Winfield, specifically, Holgorsen said he’s, “gonna be fine,” and that he should be back to practicing soon.

Jennings, Sills and White

Despite sounding like the three names of a law firm, they are also the last names of the starting wide receivers for the Mountaineers.

Gary Jennings, David Sills and Ka’Raun White will be the top wideouts on the depth chart.

A player that Holgorsen said is creeping up in Kennedy McKoy, who will be splitting time between the back field and the slot receiver. McKoy is said to be displaying a lot of versatility.

Got that Nehlen Feelin’

Former long time Mountaineer head coach Don Nehlen was at the football facilities Tuesday. This came less than two hours after it was announced he and former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beemer will be honorary captains when the two teams meet up on September 3 at FedEx Field.

 

Mountaineer Offense Confident Following Scrimmage

Most teams introducing a new starting quarterback, a new offensive coordinator and a talented but somewhat inexperienced receiver unit may be left wondering what lies ahead of them entering the season.

West Virginia doesn’t fit that stereotype.

The Mountaineer offense seemed very confident in itself following Friday’s 100-play scrimmage at Milan Puskar Stadium.

“We were kicking (the defense) this week,” said Ka’Raun White. “But it’s all competitive, all love at the end of the day.”

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WVU redshirt-senior wide receiver Ka’Raun White talks to reporters on the field Friday following the Mountaineers scrimmage. Photo by Ryan Decker

Not only do the players sound confident in themselves, but are excited to be in an offense operated by new OC Jake Spavital.

“Coach (Spavital) is putting the players in great positions to make plays,” David Sills V said. “He’s calling great pass concepts. He’s getting the running backs in great positions to make plays. We’re also playing at a great tempo right now.”

As for the scrimmage itself, junior wideout Gary Jennings thought units from both sides of the ball made strides.

“We were able to go over many of our progressions, many of our plays, and I think it went very well overall, both offensively and defensively,” said Jennings.

Asked about how much farther the offense needs to go to be ready for the season opener next month, Jennings said they’re close.

“We’re meshing very well. We’re jelling very well,” he said. “We’re not far away from being very good.”

Jennings acknowledged that timing is coming together between quarterback Will Grier and the rest of the offense, and Sills agreed.

“Will’s put constant work in throughout the summer,” said Sills. “He’s very smart. He knows how to get us in good positions to get the ball and he’s very accurate whenever he throws the ball.”

Kennedy McKoy, who is expected to see a number of snaps both from the running back and inside receiver positions, detailed how the adjustment can help him have a better understanding no matter where he’s at on the field.

“Now when I’m at running back and (Grier) gives a signal, I know what the inside slot is going to do,” McKoy said. “So if I have a check down I know not to go in that area because I know what route he’s running. Yeah, it helps a lot.”

The sophomore tailback said it’s the little things that he’s focusing on now that he better knows the offense from both positions.

Last year the Mountaineer offense racked up an average of 485.5 yards per game, including over 220 yards on the ground for the second year in a row. But from a scoring standpoint, are looking to return to the numbers they were producing in 2011 and ’12 when Spavital was the quarterback coach.