MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After Monday’s practice that WVU head coach Neal Brown said was dominated by the defense, Tuesday’s practice was more balanced and more of what he prefers.
“There was some give-and-take today, which is what you want to see,” said Brown. “You want to see a competitive practice with positive plays on both sides. We’ve got a lot of corrections but a lot of teachable moments also.”
Brown highlighted the play of linebacker Dylan Tonkery, defensive lineman Darius Stills, running backs Leddie Brown and Tony Mathis and bandit VanDarius Cowan. Cowan is a redshirt junior who is getting back up to full speed after suffering a season-ending knee injury just two games into the season last fall.
“He has that ability. He’s got to be more consistent but he has shown some flashes here in the last couple days where I definitely think he is understanding what his role is. Plus he is practicing. He has been out here several consecutive days and he is starting to show some signs.”
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Briason Mays started seven games at center last season but is now getting reps at tackle.
“We have given him a look this week at tackle and we think he has a chance. He has the knowledge really to play all the positions from his background of being a center. I think he has some potential to help us out there at tackle. He has good twitch. He has decent length. And he is athletic. He has done well. We threw him in the fire on Saturday and he has done well.”
Chase Behrndt, Mike Brown and James Gmiter are occupying the middle three spots on the offensive line.
“They have played a lot of football together. Our expectations for them are high. We weren’t very good (Monday). Those three didn’t perform as well as we would like them too in Monday’s practice. I thought they came back today and they were better. We still have a long way to go but they were better.”