6:00: Morning News

Practice update: Intensity surges during full-contact drills

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After four non-contact practices, the pads finally were popping Monday afternoon as West Virginia engaged in the always spirited Oklahoma drills.

The drill pits players in a man-on-man tough-guy scenario: One blocker going head-up against a defender as a ballcarrier tries to scoot through the narrow running lane.

“That good old Oklahoma drill that everybody likes to watch,” said coach Dana Holgorsen. “The kids get fired up about it being a live-contact drill.”

As do the coaches.

New defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was slapping the helmets after linebackers plugged the hole. Lonnie Galloway whoofed right along with his receivers as they scrapped against defensive backs. Holgorsen chirped in too, amping up the energy on the warmest day of preseason camp so far.

The only real dustup involved safety Jarrod Harper and receiver Devonte Mathis, who wrestled momentarily into the group of onlooking players. Safeties coach Joe DeForest laughed heartily as he separated the two.

Two injuries resulted from the Oklahoma drills. Second-string offensive lineman Stone Underwood injured his right shoulder and spent the scrimmage portion sporting a strapped-up ice pack. Third-string nose tackle Brandon Jackson was limping and grabbing his right hamstring.

While most of the quarterbacks engaged in passing drills during the special-teams period, William Crest was once again fielding punts. That’s the second time the four-star quarterback has done so, joining Mario Alford and Jordan Thompson.

As the media’s half-hour viewing session ended, the team began a controlled scrimmage.

“You get about 12 opportunities to tackle in three and a half weeks, which is about what we did last year,” Holgorsen said. “Because we have a lot more bodies (than last year) as opposed to a 30-play live period, it may be a 50-play live period.

“This camp is designed to keep these guys healthy, and we’ll have a lot of recovery time. We’re not having to put a guy out there and get 50 reps out of him, per day, in a live situation. The goal is to get out of camp with enough reps to be able to be in game shape, but to also be healthy and ready to play that first game.”





More WVU Sports

WVU Sports
3 Guys Before The Game - Searching For Mr. Right (Episode 539)
What factors will determine how long the search lasts for WVU's new basketball coach?
March 18, 2024 - 3:05 pm
Sports
WVU heads to Iowa City as a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, potential matchup with Caitlin Clark awaits
WVU will face Princeton in the NCAA Tournament opener Saturday.
March 17, 2024 - 10:56 pm
Sports
Ohio State rolls past WVU, 26-11 in series finale
An 8-run sixth inning allowed the Buckeyes to take two out of three in the weekend series.
March 17, 2024 - 7:13 pm
News
Wren Baker talks about the basketball coaching search
Baker spoke about the search on Friday's MetroNews Talkline and wouldn't put any timeline or number on candidates or direction other than to say he's focused on the future of WVU basketball
March 15, 2024 - 1:20 pm


Your Comments