--West Virginia head coach Neal Brown offers his thoughts and prayers to the University of Virginia. He is hurting for Shane Lyons, he is a strong administrator but an even better guy. Behind decisions there are real people with real families. He is appreciative of the opportunity that he got to come here and they want to fight and continue to win games. They are trying to get better today and trying to win some games.
--West Virginia won the game against Oklahoma. It was a three-phase win with special teams they played really sound. Oklahoma is a sound team in special teams but West Virginia played very well. The fake punt extended a drive and offensively they were able to grind out a win. They controlled the ball and had a lot of made first downs. Held Oklahoma to one score and minimized their explosive plays and held them to 1-11 on third downs.
--Sam James was the special teams player of the week. Oliver Straw won the Big 12 special teams player of the week. He has been really good. Defensive player of the week was Jasir Cox. He had been playing WILL but they flipped him to spear. Offensive Player of the Week was Garrett Greene and the Big 12. He played with a lot of fire and energy. He is really happy for him and he's gotten better and better and has practiced better. Offensive lineman of the week was Wyatt Milum. He is on a path to be a great player. Blue Collar Awards were Treylan Davis, Exree Loe and Malachi Ruffin. Sully Weidman won the Juice Award and Ronan Swope. The Scout team players of the week were offensive Markquan Rucker, defensive was Keaton Thomas and special teams was Tyler Evans, a wide receiver who is redshirting.
--Kansas State is second in the league right now and extremely well coached. They are tough to prepare for and the physicality sticks out across both lines of scrimmages. They beat a really good Baylor team on the road soundly. They are multiple, balanced and they have tempo elements. Will Howard looks to be one of the more improved players in the league. Adrian Martinez can run. They have some game breakers at wide out and Deuce Vaughn is obviously very good. They are pressuring more on defense and playing a little more man coverage. It starts up front for them. Kansas State is big at linebacker and productive and doing a good job mixing up coverages in the secondary. Special teams this is a challenge because of how effective Brooks is and Knowles is the best kick returner in the entire league. Looking forward to building off the win and it's a huge challenge.
--Brown won't name a quarterback but Greene has earned the right to play more. Nicco Marchiol will be getting some more snaps. Greene has earned the right to play more based off his performance. They won't name a starter.
--You have to appreciate the good things. So much is next, next and next but you need to celebrate and enjoy the good things.
--With the players the firing of Shane Lyons is old news because it happened yesterday. That isn't going to be at the forefront of their mind. You have to be where your feet are planted and if you do that good things are going to happen. The only thing West Virginia can do is prepare.
--Brown spoke with Lyons briefly yesterday.
--You have to be transparent at quarterback. Every position plays multiple people but the quarterback spot so you have to be transparent with the players and all of the players involved are good people.
--West Virginia is trying to win. Brown isn't thinking that way right now and giving them the best opportunity to win.
--The Big 12 is really good and extremely well coached. He has said a lot of the same thing every time that everybody can win every Saturday in this league.
--Brown said that he wouldn't put stock on anybody walking. Brown encourages them to walk. Senior Days are some of the toughest times for coaches. You have to go play a football game. Nobody has to make a decision until the end of the year.
--No update on Charles Woods but hope to have one at the end of the week after his injury.
--Brown isn't sure where Sam James is at reception wise in his career but it speaks to his longevity in his career. He is one of the most consistent practice players and it's one of the highest compliments you can give. He's the best guy they have at blocking punts and he did a nice job in the return game. He's done a good job perimeter blocking.
--The new NCAA dead period will give you an opportunity to have discussions when it comes to transfers. You have to meet them where they are at.
--Vaughn is dynamic as a receiver and a running back. He is really powerful for a guy that size. They find ways to get him the ball and he is a great player. They move him around and motion him. He is difficult to locate but even more difficult to tackle.
--Tomas Rimac has grown and is starting. He has done really well and the future is really bright for him. He is getting better.
--Real development still exists. Rimac is an example of that and Kansas State has always played really good special teams. Their special teams units are made up of walk-ons.
--Sully Weidman is strong with a good base and similar to Tomas last year. He has really good bend and has heavy hands. He is getting his body right and has a chance to be a factor. Mo Hamilton is coming along he is twitchy. Charlie Katarincic is a highly intelligent player. Laden Livingston will develop as a center and needs to have some growth but is smart.
--West Virginia needs Jeremiah Aaron and Cortez Braham to step up.
--Brown talks to his team about November finishing and it's never too late. His team has done that at the end of the year at Troy and played well down the stretch. They are going to strain and try to get a win.
--West Virginia won the game against Oklahoma. It was a three-phase win with special teams they played really sound. Oklahoma is a sound team in special teams but West Virginia played very well. The fake punt extended a drive and offensively they were able to grind out a win. They controlled the ball and had a lot of made first downs. Held Oklahoma to one score and minimized their explosive plays and held them to 1-11 on third downs.
--Sam James was the special teams player of the week. Oliver Straw won the Big 12 special teams player of the week. He has been really good. Defensive player of the week was Jasir Cox. He had been playing WILL but they flipped him to spear. Offensive Player of the Week was Garrett Greene and the Big 12. He played with a lot of fire and energy. He is really happy for him and he's gotten better and better and has practiced better. Offensive lineman of the week was Wyatt Milum. He is on a path to be a great player. Blue Collar Awards were Treylan Davis, Exree Loe and Malachi Ruffin. Sully Weidman won the Juice Award and Ronan Swope. The Scout team players of the week were offensive Markquan Rucker, defensive was Keaton Thomas and special teams was Tyler Evans, a wide receiver who is redshirting.
--Kansas State is second in the league right now and extremely well coached. They are tough to prepare for and the physicality sticks out across both lines of scrimmages. They beat a really good Baylor team on the road soundly. They are multiple, balanced and they have tempo elements. Will Howard looks to be one of the more improved players in the league. Adrian Martinez can run. They have some game breakers at wide out and Deuce Vaughn is obviously very good. They are pressuring more on defense and playing a little more man coverage. It starts up front for them. Kansas State is big at linebacker and productive and doing a good job mixing up coverages in the secondary. Special teams this is a challenge because of how effective Brooks is and Knowles is the best kick returner in the entire league. Looking forward to building off the win and it's a huge challenge.
--Brown won't name a quarterback but Greene has earned the right to play more. Nicco Marchiol will be getting some more snaps. Greene has earned the right to play more based off his performance. They won't name a starter.
--You have to appreciate the good things. So much is next, next and next but you need to celebrate and enjoy the good things.
--With the players the firing of Shane Lyons is old news because it happened yesterday. That isn't going to be at the forefront of their mind. You have to be where your feet are planted and if you do that good things are going to happen. The only thing West Virginia can do is prepare.
--Brown spoke with Lyons briefly yesterday.
--You have to be transparent at quarterback. Every position plays multiple people but the quarterback spot so you have to be transparent with the players and all of the players involved are good people.
--West Virginia is trying to win. Brown isn't thinking that way right now and giving them the best opportunity to win.
--The Big 12 is really good and extremely well coached. He has said a lot of the same thing every time that everybody can win every Saturday in this league.
--Brown said that he wouldn't put stock on anybody walking. Brown encourages them to walk. Senior Days are some of the toughest times for coaches. You have to go play a football game. Nobody has to make a decision until the end of the year.
--No update on Charles Woods but hope to have one at the end of the week after his injury.
--Brown isn't sure where Sam James is at reception wise in his career but it speaks to his longevity in his career. He is one of the most consistent practice players and it's one of the highest compliments you can give. He's the best guy they have at blocking punts and he did a nice job in the return game. He's done a good job perimeter blocking.
--The new NCAA dead period will give you an opportunity to have discussions when it comes to transfers. You have to meet them where they are at.
--Vaughn is dynamic as a receiver and a running back. He is really powerful for a guy that size. They find ways to get him the ball and he is a great player. They move him around and motion him. He is difficult to locate but even more difficult to tackle.
--Tomas Rimac has grown and is starting. He has done really well and the future is really bright for him. He is getting better.
--Real development still exists. Rimac is an example of that and Kansas State has always played really good special teams. Their special teams units are made up of walk-ons.
--Sully Weidman is strong with a good base and similar to Tomas last year. He has really good bend and has heavy hands. He is getting his body right and has a chance to be a factor. Mo Hamilton is coming along he is twitchy. Charlie Katarincic is a highly intelligent player. Laden Livingston will develop as a center and needs to have some growth but is smart.
--West Virginia needs Jeremiah Aaron and Cortez Braham to step up.
--Brown talks to his team about November finishing and it's never too late. His team has done that at the end of the year at Troy and played well down the stretch. They are going to strain and try to get a win.
