Stewart sees 'lots of potential' at WVU

BLUEFIELD — West Virginia opened its latest edition of Mountaineer football with a new starting quarterback at the helm.

Sophomore Geno Smith is not taking that honor lightly.

“It doesn’t change anything. I treat practice, games and meetings all of the same way,” Smith said. “Being the starter makes you want to prepare harder. It’s not that you want to be perfect, but you want to try your best.

“Being the starter is definitely different then being the back-up and doing the same thing every day.”

The West Virginia football team opened practice on Saturday at Milan-Puskar Stadium, with the Mountaineers looking to return to the top of the Big East Conference for the first time since 2007.

“It’s a pleasure to be with you today as we open the 2010 edition of Mountaineer football,” said West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart, in comments sent by e-mail from the West Virginia sports communication department. “Our players are very excited. They looked very enthused today out there practicing at a fast speed.

“We have good potential this season, but we have a long way to go, as do about 119 other Division 1 football teams.”

Stewart, who is entering his third season as the head coach of the Mountaineers, was excited to see all hands on deck, other than a couple of freshmen — Quinton Span and Dante Chambers — who are waiting to be declared eligible.

“The rest are here to my knowledge. There is a lot of potential and a lot of good players,” Stewart said. “...We sure have a long way to go. I saw talent today, but I did see heads spinning...

“It’s camp time, and it’s a great time. We’re here in the hills of West Virginia with great enthusiasm.”

West Virginia, which is coming off a 9-4 campaign, will open the season on Sept. 4 against Coastal Carolina. Much remains to be done before taking the field against the FBS Chanticleers from the Big South Conference.

“Today was good. We had a longer practice then usual, but I think we got a lot of good work in,” West Virginia defensive lineman Chris Neild said. “We are all pretty sore because we had last week off. Getting the soreness out the first day will definitely help us later.”

Smith added, “It’s 26 tough periods. Everyone’s feet hurt out there on that turf — it’s hot. A lot of (the hurt) just comes with the wear and tear of practice. Once I get acclimated to practice, it will all be good.”

Practice began just a few days after the NCAA released a report accusing West Virginia of five major and one secondary violation in the program. Stewart had little to say on the subject.

“I addressed it with the team and staff very briefly last night,” Stewart said. “That is not on our mind. It has been addressed by (athletic) director Oliver Luck and it is not what we’re thinking about right now.

“This football team, led by Bill Stewart, our staff and seniors, is going to concentrate on the 2010 season with full effort. We will not talk about it anymore. It has been addressed by Mr. Luck and it’s over at this time.”

Stewart was more interested in getting Smith ready to become the third quarterback in three seasons at West Virginia, following in the footsteps of Pat White and Jarrett Brown, who was the signal-caller last season.

“Geno has that air and confidence about him, having called his own plays for two years at state-champion Miramar (in Florida),” Stewart said. “That’s 5A football. He’s a confident young man.

“He wasn’t your normal freshman last year because he played under a great system. Now, he still has that leadership mode.”

Smith’s feet are definitely a concern. He’s hadn’t completely recovered from a second broken foot suffered in the offseason.

“Geno was not moving quiet as nimble as I’ve seen him move in the past, but he was moving well enough,” Stewart said. “As I’ve said earlier, he’s a real student of the game. He’s had a good summer practicing by himself.”

The thoughts of getting injured again are there, but Smith is trying to get past those issues and move on.

“We’re running each period and doing different drills. There is more stress on your feet and I just need to get used to it,” Smith said. “It’s not something that pains me during practice, more so once we’re done.”

“It’s just something I have to get out of my head. Your foot will cramp up. I just have to get that out of my head during practice and I’ll be fine.

Smith’s backup will probably be a true freshman, Barry Brunetti and Jeremy Johnson. Coley White, the brother of Pat White, is getting his work as a receiver after serving as quarterback for an injured Smith in spring drills.

“Coley White worked very hard today at slot,” Stewart said. “He caught the ball well and I’m very proud of him — he’s giving great effort.”

Saturday’s practice began the final season for West Virginia’s sensational tailback Noel Devine and receiver Jock Sanders. Among the seniors from an experienced defense that have returned include lineman Scooter Berry and linebackers J.T. Thomas and Pat Lazear.

“(Devine) and Jock Sanders, and the remaining members of the senior class — these guys have done everything the right way all summer...,” Stewart said. “These guys have led with such clarity, enthusiasm, emotion and pride and it has been really neat to watch. I’m so proud of our senior class.”

Devine, who is still recovering after getting sick while eating clams at the Big East media day last week, is excited for his final campaign.

“This is my senior year and I’m just trying to enjoy everything and embrace it all,” said Devine, who could move into second place on the school’s career rushing list with another 1,465 yards like he gained in ‘09. “It’s the first day of camp in my last year.”

Few have enjoyed — or benefited — from their college experience as much.

“Obviously I’ve grown a lot — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually — and as an overall person,” Devine said. “On the field and off the field — West Virginia has provided me so much and it’s a blessing.”

—Contact Brian Woodson at bwoodson@bdtonline.com

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