Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 15, 2007 14:43:29 GMT -5
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Jarrett Brown believes backing up Patrick White at quarterback last season did wonders for him.
The 6-4, 220-pound sophomore from West Palm Beach, Fla., got stronger over the summer. He’s also bigger, smarter and more mature as he strives to retain his No. 2 status.
Brown will tell you that he learned quite a bit not only from White, the 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, but also from Adam Bednarik, the hard-luck senior signal-caller who’s taking reps at both quarterback and wide receiver.
He also looks tough enough to play linebacker or spur safety. But he was the starting quarterback all four years in high school.
“I tried to get over to the defense a couple times, but they wouldn’t let me,” Brown recalled with a chuckle. “I guess they tried to save me.”
But the highlight of his budding career as a Mountaineer was making his first and only collegiate start in the 41-39 triumph over Rutgers in triple-overtime last Dec. 2. White was injured and could go in the regular-season finale.
“I knew there was a possibility that I’d start because Pat’s ankle bothered him,” Brown remembers. “But I really didn’t know until just before the kickoff. Pat told me.
“He said, ‘Go out there and show them what you’ve got.’ So I didn’t have time to get nervous.”
Brown lost no time in proving his mettle. He competed 14 of 29 passes for 244 yards and added 73 yards on 17 keeper plays. He completed a pass to Dorrell Jalloh for a two-point conversion after the last touchdown.
“I’m just glad I got my first collegiate start,” he said. “That helped my confidence a lot. I know now that I can go out there and play.”
Brown admittedly has looked at that game tape several times. In doing so, he got the distinct feeling that he really didn’t play as well as he believes he can.
“I was disappointed really when I went back and watched the film,” he admitted. But he naturally was pleased that he was able to lead the Mountaineers to victory.
Coach Rich Rodriguez says Brown’s decision-making has improved.
“I think it’s getting a lot better,” the youngster agrees. “I’m taking what people are giving me and not trying to force throws. I feel I’m progressing, just knowing what the defense is going to do.”
That’s because he has learned to read better and anticipate more accurately what’s coming.
o o o o o o
Workmen are still busy constructing sidewalks on Don Nehlen Drive, leading into Ira Errett Rodgers Drive and the WVU football stadium complex.
Russ Sharp, associate athletic director for finance and administration, also explains that the main entrance off Nehlen Drive is being widened. That will enable vehicles to turn into Rodgers Drive from both left and right lanes at the same time.
All such work, including scheduled repaving of pot-holed Nehlen Drive, should be completed before the Sept. 1 season’s football opener against Western Michigan, according to Sharp.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Jarrett Brown believes backing up Patrick White at quarterback last season did wonders for him.
The 6-4, 220-pound sophomore from West Palm Beach, Fla., got stronger over the summer. He’s also bigger, smarter and more mature as he strives to retain his No. 2 status.
Brown will tell you that he learned quite a bit not only from White, the 2006 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, but also from Adam Bednarik, the hard-luck senior signal-caller who’s taking reps at both quarterback and wide receiver.
He also looks tough enough to play linebacker or spur safety. But he was the starting quarterback all four years in high school.
“I tried to get over to the defense a couple times, but they wouldn’t let me,” Brown recalled with a chuckle. “I guess they tried to save me.”
But the highlight of his budding career as a Mountaineer was making his first and only collegiate start in the 41-39 triumph over Rutgers in triple-overtime last Dec. 2. White was injured and could go in the regular-season finale.
“I knew there was a possibility that I’d start because Pat’s ankle bothered him,” Brown remembers. “But I really didn’t know until just before the kickoff. Pat told me.
“He said, ‘Go out there and show them what you’ve got.’ So I didn’t have time to get nervous.”
Brown lost no time in proving his mettle. He competed 14 of 29 passes for 244 yards and added 73 yards on 17 keeper plays. He completed a pass to Dorrell Jalloh for a two-point conversion after the last touchdown.
“I’m just glad I got my first collegiate start,” he said. “That helped my confidence a lot. I know now that I can go out there and play.”
Brown admittedly has looked at that game tape several times. In doing so, he got the distinct feeling that he really didn’t play as well as he believes he can.
“I was disappointed really when I went back and watched the film,” he admitted. But he naturally was pleased that he was able to lead the Mountaineers to victory.
Coach Rich Rodriguez says Brown’s decision-making has improved.
“I think it’s getting a lot better,” the youngster agrees. “I’m taking what people are giving me and not trying to force throws. I feel I’m progressing, just knowing what the defense is going to do.”
That’s because he has learned to read better and anticipate more accurately what’s coming.
o o o o o o
Workmen are still busy constructing sidewalks on Don Nehlen Drive, leading into Ira Errett Rodgers Drive and the WVU football stadium complex.
Russ Sharp, associate athletic director for finance and administration, also explains that the main entrance off Nehlen Drive is being widened. That will enable vehicles to turn into Rodgers Drive from both left and right lanes at the same time.
All such work, including scheduled repaving of pot-holed Nehlen Drive, should be completed before the Sept. 1 season’s football opener against Western Michigan, according to Sharp.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
