West Virginia head coach Neal Brown had his weekly press conference on Monday. Brown recapped what went well with Penn State, but also gave his thoughts on where his team needs to improve heading into their home opener.
Penn State Debrief
Brown gave his final thoughts on WVU’s loss to Penn State. Overall, he was happy with how his team competed, but recognized the need to be better in big situations.
“Just kind of sour taste. We had some chances. I didn’t feel like we were out-manned. I didn’t feel like the environment got too us, didn’t feel like moment was too big for us” Brown said. “We just didn’t make enough plays that you have to make to win those types of games.”
The biggest miss for Brown was the Mountaineers’ first possession of the second half. He said the first defensive possession of that half was “the best” defensive possession his team had that night. The offense would get a chunk play, but a penalty backed WVU up before they had to punt.
“We come back, first drive of the second half, play our best defensive drive of the game, three and out. Get the ball, we hit an explosive run on the second play from scrimmage and then have our only procedure penalty of the night. We were going to have the ball first and 10 right around the minus 45. Gets called back, end up having to punt, shank the punt, then they end up making it 21-7” Brown said.
“Disappointed because it just doesn’t align for you like that. Play the number seven team on the road on national television and it’s a great opportunity. I’m not sure when the next time we’ll have that as a program,” Brown said. “We had our chances, didn’t take advantage, have to play better team football.”
Offense
Brown on the offense said he thought his team played well within the game plan.
“Offensively, I thought the good was the operation and the game management,” Brown said. “It was loud in there but I thought our guys managed it. We ran the ball effectively… We’ve got to improve our pass scheme execution.”
Garrett Green got the start at quarterback and Brown was pleased with how he competed. Brown said the biggest area Greene has to clean up is making the easy throws.
“Garrett, I think credit to him for the game management piece. That was the quarterback. I thought he ran the ball really effectively. I thought the decision of when he ran it, to when he throws it was pretty spot on,” Brown said. “What we talked to him about is you’ve got to make 100 percent of your layups and he didn’t. But he competed.”
Defense
The biggest takeaway for Brown was he defense needs to defend the pass better, but he was happy with how a mostly unproven defensive line played.
“On defense, we got to play the pass better,” Brown said.
“I think we’re pretty good on the offensive line and probably last fall camp, we were more dominant against our d-line, than this fall camp,” Brown said. “I was hopeful that was because we made some strides and I think that held true. We got moved off the ball the first play of the game… I just don’t think we got pushed off the ball after the first play.”
The Mountaineers also had a chance at two interceptions, plays Brown says they have to make.
“Two huge missed opportunities. We dropped two interceptions,” Brown said. “We’ve got to take advantage of those.”
Duquesne
Brown said the focus this week is to get their first win. That starts with FCS opponent Duquesne, who Brown respects from their recent success.
“Hungry to get a win. We’re an 0-1 football team until we get a win. We’ve got an important three-game home stretch. Duquesne, a proud program. I think they’ve own five conference championships in the past nine years,” Brown said. “It’s a group we respect… it’s about us making some positive momentum as we get into the meat of our schedule.”
Brown added he likes the idea of playing an FCS school because it encourages more football to be played.
“Defensively, this is going to be a challenge because they’re so multiple and they’re high pressure. They give you about every front look that you can draw up… they’re going to heat it up and they’re going to come in here and not hold a whole lot back…
“Offensively, the quarterback threw the deep ball really well,” Brown said of his performance last year. “I think they’ve got 13 Division I transfers on their roster… they’re not going to be intimidated at all coming in here.”
Injuries
There are not a ton of injuries to report on, but Brown mentioned a few notable ones.
EJ Horton — Wide receiver EJ Horton did not play against Penn State and he’s not expected to play against Duquesne. Brown said he hopes Horton is back for Pitt in two weeks.
Ja’Shaun Poke — Another wide receiver in Poke dressed against Penn State and could have been used in an emergency situation according to Brown. He hopes to have Poke back this week.
Wyatt Milum — Milum suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter on Saturday. He missed a series, but finished the game.
Jahiem White — Freshman running back in White, did not dress against Penn State. Brown hopes he is a full go at practice tomorrow (Tuesday).
Asani Redwood — Redwood is two weeks out according to Brown
