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WVU has a long way to go, Rodriguez says
Rodriguez had mixed emotions about his team's performance yesterday at Mountaineer Field.
The Mountaineers went through a 90-minute, 100-play situational scrimmage with officials. The offense started drives at different spots on the field, and, for the most part, the scrimmage was dominated by the defense.
"I thought we did some good things and a lot of bad," Rodriguez said. "Obviously, we have a lot of work to do. I'm glad we had some heat. It's a good lesson. It could be this way when we play Wisconsin (on Aug. 30)."
Rodriguez said he'll know more about the performance of his players after he views films. He'll be looking for hustle and execution, and things that need to be corrected.
"We still have a lot to learn and we must try to get better," he said. "We're not nearly close enough right now."
Rodriguez was pleased with some of the hitting from the defense. He felt the first-team defense unit played physically.
The best hits were by junior free safety Jerry White and freshman defensive back L.J. Montinar.
White's hit forced redshirt freshman tight end Tim Lindsey to drop a pass, while Montinar's hit forced redshirt freshman tight end Adam Serena (South Allegheny) to loose control of a pass.
"We're doing some different stuff with the defense. It looks like they are grasping it mentally," Rodriguez said. "We have a whole lot of execution things to work out offensively."
Defensive back Adam Jones, who is battling for playing time in the secondary, had the scrimmage's only interception. He picked off a Rasheed Marshall pass intended by wide receiver Miquelle Henderson.
One thing that Rodriguez didn't like about the defense was some missed tackles, which he said will be corrected.
He wasn't totally pleased with Marshall's performance, either. Marshall completed 10 of 17 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Tory Johnson caught both touchdown passes (25 and 10 yards).
"He did some good things," Rodriguez said. "I probably would have liked to throw a little bit more. He had a bad pitch on the option one time, which he usually doesn't do. He was off on the timing of his throws.
"But he's seeing the field a little bit better. He really has a good grasp on what we're doing. He's still trying to read what they're doing quicker, and that's the key for him over the next two weeks."
Marshall's backups, junior Charles Hales and freshman Adam Bednarik, had OK days. Hales completed 9 of 17 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown pass went to Rayshawn Bolden (15 yards). Bednarik completed 4 of 8 passes for 48 yards.
"Charles has a pretty good grasp of what we're doing," Rodriguez said. "He just has a brain cramp about every six or seven plays. And for him, unfortunately, it's a major brain cramp. He's got to eliminate them. Once he eliminates them, he's going to be pretty solid."
The running game wasn't sharp. Senior Quincy Wilson had the best day, but junior college transfer Kay Jay Harris and redshirt freshman Jason Colson, both battling to backup Wilson, did not.
Harris did score a touchdown on a one-yard run, but he injured his right forearm on the final play of the scrimmage. He left the field with a bag of ice taped to his arm.
Hikee Johnson and Erick Phillips also had rushing touchdowns for the offense.
"We're not executing certain plays," Rodriguez said. "We've had some fumbles, and we still have some things to sure up in the passing game."
Rodriguez will get to see his team under fire again noon Saturday when they hold another scrimmage. This one, however, will be more like a regular game.
Notes: Redshirt freshman kicker Casey Welch (Ford City) informed Rodriguez this week that he plans to transfer. Welch saw the handwriting on the wall. The Mountaineers gave freshman Andy Good (Boardman, Ohio) a scholarship and junior Brad Cooper, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State last year, was also awarded a scholarship after performing well in the spring practice. Cooper has kicked so well that there is a chance he'll unseed Todd James (Ringgold) as the team's placekicker. James remains the team's punter. ... Sophomore offensive lineman Travis Garrett was carted off the field after practice. Rodriguez said Garrett had a problem with the heat. ... The Mountaineers will practice 4 p.m. today and then hold two practices on Friday.
