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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 that he appreciates the fans that were there and they were loud. The Mountaineers forced a turnover and scored off that and they finished both of the halves strong. On defense they bounced back and tackled well. They contained the run game and outside a double move they only had one explosive pass play that hurt them. They had one takeaway which was huge. Special teams was huge and both specialists bounced back in a big way. Kickoff coverage has been huge and Oliver Straw had a penalty that negated his big moment but he was really good. Preston Fox has grown into that role as a returner. On offense, it was slow and methodical and they were 12-18 on end of possession downs and 4-4 on fourth down. They had zero turnovers and were 5-5 in the red zone and they competed. It hasn't gone their way and they fought hard. He is happy for them and the 30 guys that played in maybe their last game. They still has a lot to play for and has an opportunity to win six games in the Big 12 and have a chance to go back-to-back six wins in the league which would be the best that West Virginia has done.

--When you get there it's a two possession game and a field goal doesn't do anything for you because a field goal means they can still beat you. They ran off almost six minutes at the end of the game and the risk is lower than the reward to go for it. The 4th and 3 was a no brainer to go for it. Worst case scenario you don't get the second one and they have 2:25 left and have to go 75-yards. It was a tremendous catch by Hudson Clement.

--CJ Donaldson started the game and he earned the right to do that. He is a tough tackle and early he wasn't going to be denied. He is starting to figure it out and he was pleased with how they played today. He is going to be fine.

--This is one of the few times all year all three phases played well together. They want to be more explosive on offense, but it was nasty in the first half. So to hold onto the ball in those conditions and have zero turnovers was good on offense and was proud with how the defense and special teams responded.

--Brown said they played a lot of 4-3 today because they are a really good rushing team and they wanted to get bigger. At spear they've been up and down so they split those snaps that Keke Tarnue played and played a 4-2-5 when Keke Tarnue was in the game but it made it harder to throw those perimeter screens with bigger bodies out there.

--UCF wants to run the ball and the conditions are new to them.

--Brown said that they're pretty good on offense and usually play well early so they take the ball. They won the toss and took the ball and it ended the streak.

--Brown said they haven't had much cold weather here. They just practiced out in the elements. They could have practiced inside, but it doesn't give them a competitive edge against UCF. Brown said they went out and played in the snow at practice.

--Garnett Greene is a winner and he competes. He is happy for him that he performed and won in his last game here. He hasn't always played clean football but he's laid it on the line for the Mountaineers every single time that he's suited up.

--Brandon Yates didn't practice all week so they waited to get him in there. Landen Livingston did some good things out there though and they're excited for the future with him.

--Brown said making a bowl is better than the alternative. If West Virginia wins they'll have a chance to get undefeated on the road in Big 12 play and finish second or third in the league depending on what happens.

--West Virginia generated momentum at the start of the game and there was never a time that they didn't think they wouldn't win the game.

--Brown said they dropped their spur more to the boundary.

--Brown said he's just happy for his team to get to six wins. They've been up and down this season, he doesn't hide from that. They'll feel good about getting to six wins in the Big 12 if they can do that. They'll reflect back at the end of the year.

--West Virginia was able to keep the ball away from UCF and limit their opportunities.
 
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