Listen Now: Morning News

Spring game notes: Running game features more smash-and-dash

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said senior running back Rushel Shell (7) needs to “become a better practice player” in order to take the next step.

 

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Rushel Shell gained 50 yards on nine carries and true freshman Kennedy McKoy ran for 57 on eight attempts in Saturday’s spring game, giving West Virginia more of the smash-and-dash attack it displayed last season.

Neither back suffered a negative-yardage play.

After sitting out Thursday’s practice, Shell’s longest run was a 22-yarder on a cutback.

“He ran hard and I thought he finished runs good,” coach Dana Holgorsen said. “I believe in him and he believes in himself and he’s got his teammates’ respect.

“I know what he can do out there when it comes to days like today. But he’s got to become a better practice player and become more consistent.”

From his quickness hitting holes to the No. 4 jersey, McKoy continued drawing comparisons to Wendell Smallwood, who attended the scrimmage as a lead-up to this week’s NFL draft.

“Being here five years, it’s not very often you see a freshman come in and pick up the offense, even though our offense is pretty simple,” said center Tyler Orlosky. “Kennedy’s come a long way in one spring. That was one thing Wendell was able to do. They have the same type of attitude—come in and work hard every day.”

Injuries: Starting receiver Ka’Raun White and No. 2 quarterback Chris Chugunov (shoulder injuries) were among the players who spent Saturday afternoon doing conditioning drills behind the end zone instead of playing.

White ran with his left arm pinned to his side, a recurrence of the sore shoulder that hampered him during 2015.

“It was legitimately hurt on Thursday (at practice) … and after only a couple days we decided to rest him,” Holgorsen said. “I’m not calling him soft, but guys need to push through things. This is not the time to do that.”

Holgorsen said Chugunov “had a bum shoulder” that simply requires rest.

Nose guard Darrien Howard was excused for a death in his family and reserve defensive end Xavier Pegues was sidelined by a shoulder injury.

 

After a spring scrimmage in which he was shaken up by a helmet-to-helmet hit, West Virginia’s William Crest spoke with a family member.

 

Friendly fire: Holgorsen stalked off the sideline after blitzing linebacker Sean Walters flattened Crest with a helmet-to-helmet hit in the pocket. The quarterback required a few moments of attention on the field and  looked woozy upon getting to his feet.

“That’s stupid. Sean knows better than that,” Holgorsen said.

Crest has taken numerous shots on zone-read keepers, but defenders have been warned about hitting quarterbacks in the pocket.

“We’ve practiced this way all spring, and those guys know that when they get (to the quarterback) they’ve got to veer off,” he said.

“I don’t have the quarterbacks in (non-contact) jerseys because we run the quarterbacks so much. When we break the pocket they’re prepared to get blasted. That’s real football. But you’ve got to protect them in the pocket.”

The back judge immediately tossed a flag on Walters’ hit, which added to Holgorsen’s ire.

“On top of that it was a targeting call,” he said. “Sean can’t go in there and lead with his helmet. It would’ve been a personal foul, and Sean would’ve been ejected.”

Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said Walters told him he thought the play was a designed run.

“It’s tough with quarterbacks in white jerseys, (figuring) whether they are going to run the ball or throw the ball, but we don’t ever want to hit our quarterbacks in the pocket,” Gibson said. “Sean feels bad about it, but he thought it was going to be a quarterback draw.”

Award winners: The offseason Ironman Awards went to Orlosky, receiver Daikiel Shorts, fullback Elijah Wellman and Darrien Howard.

Tight end Jon Lewis earned the Tom Nickolich Memorial Award recognizing a distinguished walk-on.





More Sports

High School Sports
Class A Girls Basketball All-State List
Cameron's Ashlynn Van Tassell chosen captain, joined by teammate Kenzie Clutter on firs team.
March 19, 2024 - 1:12 am
High School Sports
Odds and ends: Free-throw shooting, experience major factors in Charleston; shot clock discussion surfaces again
A look back at some key figures and memorable soundbites over the course of two state tournaments that featured 56 games in 10 days.
March 18, 2024 - 5:53 pm
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
Charleston's Osborne, Fairmont State's Anderson first recipients of MetroNews Joe Retton MEC Coaches of the Year
The Golden Eagles men's squad and Falcons' women's team garnered Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament titles, while both squads surpassed the 25-win mark for the season.
March 18, 2024 - 12:00 pm