Brown participates in all drills, still day-to-day

 

 

 

West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart was more upbeat about the possibility that his starting quarterback will play this weekend.

Jarrett Brown, who suffered a mild concussion in Saturday’s 24-7 win over Marshall, practiced for the first time following the concussion Tuesday.

Stewart said he and his coaching staff will make a decision on whether Brown will play this weekend against Connecticut today based on how he practiced Tuesday.

"I met with him yesterday and today," Stewart said. "I just asked him to trust me as I wanted to trust him and that we needed to be truthful with one another.

"I want him to, first and foremost, protect himself at all times. Number two, I want him to manage this offense. Number three, and most importantly, I want him to have a clear head when he is doing this."

Brown participated at full speed in all drills Tuesday after sitting out of Monday’s practice.

Freshman quarterback Geno Smith took all snaps with the first unit Monday in Brown’s absence but was moved back to the second team on Tuesday.

Brown has completed 96-of-140 passes this season for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns. He is also second on the team in rushing with 209 yards and one touchdown.

After struggling on his first four possessions, Smith and the offense came alive en route to victory against Marshall Saturday.

Smith completed 15-of-21 passes for 147 yards including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Alric Arnett. It was Smith’s first career collegiate touchdown.

"He is a good student, and he is also very sharp, and had he been here in the spring, then he would have been even sharper," Stewart said. "He is a film guy and a gym rat, and that is very good."

If Brown does not play and Smith was to go down with an injury as well, Stewart expects Coley White to be next up for the Mountaineers.

The coaching staff has also developed a plan for receiver Bradley Starks as well.

Starks was the third-string quarterback behind Pat White and Brown last season.

Starks has been used in the "Wildcat" formation already this season. Starks and White have a combined two pass attempts. White saw his first action in mop-up duty against Marshall.

 

 

Defensive lineman Scooter Berry has been suspended indefinitely from the West Virginia football team following an arrest early Sunday morning.

Berry was arrested and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside of Bent Willey’s nightclub.

"He will remain in that capacity until I deem further," Stewart said. "We have certain procedures and policies here about wearing the Old Gold and Blue. We are going to make mistakes in life, and a mistake he made."

West Virginia has finalized a plan to honor Connecticut cornerback Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death early Sunday morning in an on-campus incident.

The Mountaineers’ helmets will feature a "6," which was the number worn by Howard.

In addition, both teams will have a moment of silence prior to the game.

"This is all about Jasper Howard and honoring a fallen brother," Stewart said. "I am very proud of the West Virginia and Connecticut administrations for helping us make this happen to honor Jasper."

While much of the attention of this week’s game will be about Howard, Stewart said his team is going to have to handle its business once the first whistle blows.

"We have a good group of young men here that are saddened by a situation, but after that coin toss, the Mountaineers need to be ready to play football," Stewart said. "Make no mistake, this is a business, and our guys know that."

Stewart said running back/fullback Ryan Clarke will likely play against Connecticut.

Clarke sat out the Mountaineers’ game against Marshall for precautionary reasons because of a pinched nerve in his neck.

NOTES