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WVSPORTS.COM West Virginia head coach Neal Brown press conference summary

Keenan Cummings

Fact Based and Wonderful
Staff
Sep 16, 2007
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--West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said it was a long day and he appreciates the fan base. He said it was a huge win and when you do this long enough most things even out. They had a game they should have won last week, but they flipped the script this week. The players and the staff got beat up all week on defense and on the last two drives of the game answered the bell. It wasn't always pretty but they created two takeaways and made them drive the field. The Kansas offense is good but the defense answered the bell. It wasn't their best day on offense but they were good enough. They've been pretty good in two minute drills and they ran that the last two drives. The Kansas defensive line is good but they found a way. Garrett Greene was up and down until it was winning time and he found a way to win, he's a winner and competitive. He has the ability to make plays with his feet. Hudson Clement bounced back and he relaxed and played. Kickoff coverage was elite and Michael Hayes came through when it mattered and kicked the ball in the end zone. Preston Fox caught the ball on two huge punts.

--Brown said he didn't even think about it until Coleman Barnes told him that it was a similar situation to last week. He's thinking two minute wise and he knew he wanted to go for two.

--They ran the touchdown toss to Rodney Gallagher was the first read and it was the right one. They ran the play thinking they would run man and they had zone answers. It was a back shoulder throw and it was big time.

--Jordan Lesley went up and Tre Bell came down. It was Jordan Lesley's idea and it took the emotion out of the game and they could see. They kept the ball in front and gave them an opportunity to rally. Jacolby Spells was competitive, Hollis Garnett was better and TJ Crandall played until he got hurt.

--Aubrey Burks had an upper body injury but he didn't have the symptoms until he came out. He's back and in the locker room.

--Brown said they went into two minute and spread the field. If they ever struggle they could open up and play without an attached tight end and get guys in space. They could use two minute drills more but people would have some answers for that, too.

--Kansas is the best running team they've played and they ran it better than West Virginia did today. There is some give and take if you make a decision to keep the ball in front of them you commit to more guys in coverage and the box is lighter. They knew they would be able to run the ball and get them in some third downs and get off the field.

--The Mountaineers were there early and they hit them on two big reverses.

--Brown said they didn't play very well the first two drives coming out of the weather delays. They did mix it up and the warm up was different. They were more physical and they didn't play well the first two drives.

--Hudson Clement had the special season last year. He is a really good player and he was so bell bent on making sure everybody knew he was a good player that he was putting a lot of pressure on himself. Brown told them to relax and play. He won a bunch of one-on-ones.

--Brown made it a point since the Penn State game for Greene to run the ball. They're better when he runs and sometimes the last thing Brown says before they break the huddle is if you don't have it go make a play with your feet. He was special in the two minute drill.

--West Virginia is beat up and it's been hard they've played three really physical games. They need a break and they've got a chance coming out of the break to go to Stillwater and they have to find a way. They're back to even.

--The ball seems to find Gallagher in big moments. If you can do that in that type of atmosphere it speaks to what type of competitor you are. Gallagher is a great teammate.

--Garnes played a lot of nickel. They were even thinner because they took Gallagher out from there. Not only did they lose Aubrey Burks but Rodney Gallagher wasn't in there. They were playing a true 4-2-5 with three true corners. Brown said they have good character on the team and this game says who they are individually and as a team. How do you respond to adversity and their backs were against the wall and they came out and fought and showed what kind of character they have.
 
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