--West Virginia lost the field position battle against Oklahoma State, mainly because of the kickoff return team. They did have a 41.8-net punt and the rush affected their punts. It was a good performance defensively but they didn’t record a turnover and had a few missed tackles. Depth late got to them as they got fatigued but they held the Cowboys to 2.8 yards per carry on the ground and 285 yards. They limited the explosive plays and the Cowboys were leading the country coming into the game. They couldn’t maximize opportunities in the red zone and continue to struggle in the run game. They didn’t turn the ball over and the protection was solid which allowed them to throw the ball well.
--Special teams Josh Growden had a good day punting and Rex Sunahara has played really well as a long snapper. He’s one of the top pro prospects on the team. Defensively, Jeffery Pooler has played at a high level, Josh Chandler played his best game since coming back and Kerry Martin played his best since being here. Sean Mahone has played really well for the fourth consecutive game. Colton McKivitz and Mike Brown played well up front while Leddie Brown forced a lot of missed tackles and it bodes well for the future for him. Overall, it was a disappointing loss that they had a chance to win but they didn’t make the plays or coach well enough to win.
--This is one of Brown’s favorite weeks of the year as they get a peek at what the NFL lifestyle is like with football all week. It’s going to be dedicated to team activities and they are going to be intentional about enjoying this and sending the seniors out on a high note.
--Brown has a lot of respect for Gary Patterson and what he has done at TCU. Their kicker Song is 21-22 on field goals and they have one of the top punt return units in the entire country. They have maybe the most explosive returner in the country in Jalen Reagar. Both of their running backs are the returners on the kickoff teams and they have good team speed. Defensively they have a tradition of playing at a high level and this year is no different. They have two of the top tackles up front and they get pressure with those players and they are difficult to block. They have experience in the secondary with four out of their five starters as seniors. On offense, they run the ball well with their running backs and they start four seniors up front. They are starting to get their tight ends involved and of course at wide receiver Reagar presents a lot of different challenges.
--Brown said they’re going to play the people most-deserving to play. They want to focus on the ones that can play this week.
--They’ll do a Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, they will do competition type things and it’s a short week and they’ll be intelligent with their practice plans. It can’t be as physical as normal because of that but tomorrow will be the only contact day of the week. Both lines and the secondary they are thin and they have to get to the game as healthy as possible.
--They’ve attempted to make good use of pre-practice walk-throughs and then get good full speed work with good on good in practice. They don’t want to be out there as long but be more efficient. They get a false sense in practice going against the scout team, but it works well when there is a lot of carryover. He doesn’t think it’s unique to them but it’s been different.
--Brown said they’re trying to get better but they get most of their team back for multiple years and they are trying to finish the year right and he believes they will show up and play hard. The only issue he’s had is how this team showed up and played in the Texas Tech game.
--Jordan Jefferson has been beat up a little bit, he played 8 snaps, Kwantel Raines is trying to figure out what he wants to do in regards to his future with the program.
--I think from top to bottom, this league is tough week in and week out. All the road trips there are different challenges and the coaching is at a high level this week. The defenses are playing better and there is a lot more emphasis on special teams.
--Next couple weeks will be huge with recruiting. A couple recent commitments and they will finish strong and hopes to have a few more in the last couple weeks. Need to find some guys in the offensive line and the secondary down the stretch. He likes the guys they have committed and they continue to play well. They have some positions of need and have to make some improvements and add some bodies on the offensive line and secondary. Always hold a few scholarships for transfers possibly one or two down the road for that.
--There are some benefits to bowl practices but he isn’t sure if anybody uses 15 of those. He treats bowl practices as a reward they practice quick, don’t wear pads and focus on the developmental squad. They will miss that aspect and will have some catching up to do.
--Special teams Josh Growden had a good day punting and Rex Sunahara has played really well as a long snapper. He’s one of the top pro prospects on the team. Defensively, Jeffery Pooler has played at a high level, Josh Chandler played his best game since coming back and Kerry Martin played his best since being here. Sean Mahone has played really well for the fourth consecutive game. Colton McKivitz and Mike Brown played well up front while Leddie Brown forced a lot of missed tackles and it bodes well for the future for him. Overall, it was a disappointing loss that they had a chance to win but they didn’t make the plays or coach well enough to win.
--This is one of Brown’s favorite weeks of the year as they get a peek at what the NFL lifestyle is like with football all week. It’s going to be dedicated to team activities and they are going to be intentional about enjoying this and sending the seniors out on a high note.
--Brown has a lot of respect for Gary Patterson and what he has done at TCU. Their kicker Song is 21-22 on field goals and they have one of the top punt return units in the entire country. They have maybe the most explosive returner in the country in Jalen Reagar. Both of their running backs are the returners on the kickoff teams and they have good team speed. Defensively they have a tradition of playing at a high level and this year is no different. They have two of the top tackles up front and they get pressure with those players and they are difficult to block. They have experience in the secondary with four out of their five starters as seniors. On offense, they run the ball well with their running backs and they start four seniors up front. They are starting to get their tight ends involved and of course at wide receiver Reagar presents a lot of different challenges.
--Brown said they’re going to play the people most-deserving to play. They want to focus on the ones that can play this week.
--They’ll do a Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, they will do competition type things and it’s a short week and they’ll be intelligent with their practice plans. It can’t be as physical as normal because of that but tomorrow will be the only contact day of the week. Both lines and the secondary they are thin and they have to get to the game as healthy as possible.
--They’ve attempted to make good use of pre-practice walk-throughs and then get good full speed work with good on good in practice. They don’t want to be out there as long but be more efficient. They get a false sense in practice going against the scout team, but it works well when there is a lot of carryover. He doesn’t think it’s unique to them but it’s been different.
--Brown said they’re trying to get better but they get most of their team back for multiple years and they are trying to finish the year right and he believes they will show up and play hard. The only issue he’s had is how this team showed up and played in the Texas Tech game.
--Jordan Jefferson has been beat up a little bit, he played 8 snaps, Kwantel Raines is trying to figure out what he wants to do in regards to his future with the program.
--I think from top to bottom, this league is tough week in and week out. All the road trips there are different challenges and the coaching is at a high level this week. The defenses are playing better and there is a lot more emphasis on special teams.
--Next couple weeks will be huge with recruiting. A couple recent commitments and they will finish strong and hopes to have a few more in the last couple weeks. Need to find some guys in the offensive line and the secondary down the stretch. He likes the guys they have committed and they continue to play well. They have some positions of need and have to make some improvements and add some bodies on the offensive line and secondary. Always hold a few scholarships for transfers possibly one or two down the road for that.
--There are some benefits to bowl practices but he isn’t sure if anybody uses 15 of those. He treats bowl practices as a reward they practice quick, don’t wear pads and focus on the developmental squad. They will miss that aspect and will have some catching up to do.
