Post-Game Hangover & Knee Jerk Reaction - Marshall Edition (9/5/11)
by WVUIE97 on Sep 5, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
in Post-Game Hangover
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PrintWhile our final grades will come this Wednesday, here are my initial thoughts on yesterday's game:
- Mountaineer Mantrip was a success. There is room for improvement (mainly on the fans part) but this was a good start.
- Initial reports of beer sales being less than anticipated due to the heat. Even so, I think the concerns voiced in the off-season were overblown.
- Weirdest game I've ever sat through, weather-wise.
- Geno looked as poised as ever, even when flushed from the pocket.
- Offensive line still has room for improvement, but no longer appear to be "soft" as a former Mountaineer lineman said to me yesterday.
- In conjunction with the line play, the running game is a work in progress, but flashes were there.
- Defense may not be as good as last year, but still extremely solid...with many youngsters playing.
- Special teams coverage looked solid, except for one time and that one time killed them.
- Return game looks to be improved. Tavon could score several more here this year.
- Kicking game was solid as Smith had a couple real nice punts and Bitancurt hit all of his kicks.
Overall, I thought it was a good effort for the first game. There is plenty of room for improvement and I'm glad there are still two more games to get things corrected before LSU comes to town. All of the media coverage I could dig up is after the jump.
Recaps and Features:
Football: Joint University Statement - MSNsportsNET.Com
A joint statement by West Virginia University Director of Athletics Oliver Luck and Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick:
No. 24 W. Virginia gets best of Marshall in storm-shortened opener - ESPN
Recap, stats, video, etc
Lightning Strikes; Herd Loses Thunder - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Recap, gallery and audio of HCDH's post game presser
WVU vs. Marshall Game Recap - WVillustrated.com
WVU Stayed Active, Positive During Lightning Delays - WVillustrated.com
Coal Bowl: No. 24 WVU pulls away from Marshall in shortened season opener - Charleston Daily Mail
Coal Bowl: ‘There’s just no reason to put these kids back out on this field’ - Charleston Daily Mail
with video
Coal Bowl notebook: Marshall’s Booker pays tribute to Evans not once, but twice - Charleston Daily Mail
Bogaczyk's notebook
Coal Bowl: Plenty is expected from Holgorsen, Cato in the future - Charleston Daily Mail
Some Coal Bowl fans hang tough during lightning delays - Charleston Daily Mail
Mountaineers storm to weather-shortened victory against in-state rival Marshall - PPG
Taken by storm - Charleston Gazette
WVU's 34-13 win over Marshall comes after long lightning delays; plug pulled early in 4th quarter
Chiming in on a striking night - Charleston Gazette
WVU notebook: Passing OK, but WVU running attack missing - Charleston Gazette
Holgorsen era starts with WVU win in weather-shortened game - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
WVU Offense Still A Work In Progress - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Stormy start - Times West Virginian
HERTZEL COLUMN - A debut not like any other - Times West Virginian
Many firsts in Holgorsen’s WVU debut - Times West Virginian
Delays can’t stop WVU QB Smith - Register-Herald
Herd’s Holliday: ‘I had no choice’ - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
WVU must improve on opener - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mother Nature strikes again - Martinsburg Journal
Beer sales make debut at WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
Fans Mixed On Beer At Milan Pusker Stadium (Video) - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The fans had mixed reviews on selling alcohol at a college event. Some people feel it gives Milan Puskar Stadium and professional feel and some feel it's taking away from the college atmosphere.
Photos:
Photos from the 2011 Friends of Coal Bowl - WVillustrated.com
Video:
Dana Holgorsen - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen's postgame remarks following Sunday's 34-13 win over Marshall.
Video: Marshall Postgame - BGN
HCDH, Barclay, Goode and Geno
Quarterback Geno Smith - MSNsportsNET.Com
Geno Smith's postgame comments following Sunday's 34-13 win over Marshall.
Linebacker Najee Goode - MSNsportsNET.Com
Najee Goode's postgame comments following Sunday's 34-13 win over Marshall.
Mountaineer Mantrip Video - WVillustrated.com
Sights And Sounds: Mountaineer Mantrip - WVMETRONEWS.COM
gallery and video
Tales from the Tailgates: WVU vs. Marshall - WVillustrated.com
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I agree.
What i saw from the O line was that they were not creating holes for our RBs to get to which is why we were so poor at running the ball. Another thing is that I was surprised at how many times we ran up the middle with our RBs. I don’t know if that’s always how he has run the ball, but it seems like we have some small speed backs and we should try and get them in space a little more. Also, our defense played very well in my opinion. Marshall took away our best aspect on defense by having nearly all 3 step drops and short routes. When we play teams like Maryland who will sit back there longer in the pocket, I think our defense will do even better since Irvin and Miller will have more time to collapse the pocket. I liked the sheer athleticism from a lot of our defensive players though. It does seem like this year is going to be all about the big 5 on D. Irvin, Miller, Goode, Tandy, and Glover are going to be huge for us this year. All in all it was a good performance.
I forgot to mention discipline
no turnovers and only 2 penalties for 15 yards…rare for a first game
by WVUIE97 on Sep 5, 2011 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Double this
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on Sep 6, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it just me or when Geno runs....
…it reminds me of Andy Samberg’s “Stumblin” digital short?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/stumblin-snl-digital-short_n_795720.html
And the only thing that sucks about the Mantrip...
…is that puny stand the coal sits on. I really hope that’s temporary. Looks like they picked it up at Target in the Afterthought section.
Hey, hold up a second.......
I just saw a video replay of the Manwalk and many team players walked right past the coal piece – some not even walking on the side closest to it clearly showing disinterest in “participating”. Since we can see the faces, I think a short team meeting is in order and let’s see who wants to walk past it again. It’s a free country. Fair enough. But West Virginians don’t forget since they stand with them on the team and who stands on the team with the fans and the community of this great State. It’s very telling.
Easy killer
I think it’s the first time and certainly people from other states don’t “get” the deep connection between the state and the WVU players. I would give it a little time before I write them off as carpetbaggers. Two years from now if this is still a tradition, then I’ll help you give the team speech.
Also read my signature. I think after a while they will “get” it. (look at John Flowers and Joe Mazzulla or Pat White for that matter)
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on Sep 6, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Rushing & RB’s & run blocking SUCKED these RB’s aren’t even close to what we’ve grown use too, Slaton, White, Devine & Schmidt these guys looked like the “fake blades of grass & rubber pellets were tacklin them” & the repeated RUNNING up the middle or what basically amounted to them hitting a wall was insane
If run game isn’t dramatically improved LSU will have a field day pinning there ears back & bringing heat every play on Geno…
Your concerns certainly aren't unfounded.
But I’m not hitting the panic button just yet. Remember, these kids are true freshmen starting their first collegiate game. Slaton didn’t even really play until the 3rd or 4th game of the season. Same with Devine (then he broke out against Maryland). Heck, same with Schmitt, who made his name against Maryland after a couple of tune-ups. We do need to block better, especially if we want to beat LSU, but as long as we at least move the ball through the air, I’m not going to get too worked up about a lack of rushing yardage.
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on Sep 6, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
If we play like that against LSU
I’m afraid we get squashed. I am worried about getting there undefeated as well but watching LSU on Saturday I was scared and slightly discouraged especially if they just line up and run it down our throats.
I think they are bigger and faster than us. That doesn’t mean I don’t think we have a chance, but if we do win it’s going to take all cylinders.
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on Sep 6, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions
If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts...
Can we stop bringing up LSU as if we play them thursday night??
Its a work in progress. We have two more games to iron out the wrinkles, and 3 weeks of practice. If the line is still bad come Sept 23, then yeah, we can worry about LSU on the 24th. But lets not rush to judgement.
Also consider, Oregon replaced 3 o-linemen from the NT game last year, including a freshman center.
Perspective and patience people…
we'd all have a merry Christmas!
Did you see the line about not sure we are going to be undefeated? I’m nervous about Maryland and I’m sure we’ll iron out the details.
I was just looking into my crystal ball and wondering if it is even possible to beat LSU, I used to do the same thing for VT until we beat them trhee times in a row.
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on Sep 6, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
also
Title of the post is “Knee Jerk Reactions”. Just saying
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on Sep 6, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
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