Post by rainman on Sept 6, 2007 6:00:26 GMT -5
WVU O-linemen strive to get better
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Sophomore guard Greg Isdaner and junior center Mike Dent think the rebuilt offensive line played pretty well in third-ranked West Virginia’s season-opening 62-24 rout of Western Michigan.
But both starters will tell you that they think there is room for improvement before the Mountaineers (1-0) meet Marshall (0-1) on Saturday in Huntington.
“There’s a lot of things for us to work on,” said Isdaner, who started all 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman. “Obviously, pass protection with people coming free a couple times.
“Some of that was confusion between us and (quarterback) Pat (White), and some of that was confusion between us up front. We know we need to continue to improve, and we’re working hard every day to do that.”
Dent, who made his first start as successor to consensus All-America center Dan Mozes, said, “I thought I could have done a little better. There was some stuff out there that I made mistakes on and shouldn’t have.”
He’s admittedly working hard this week on getting better. He said it took him two or three snaps to get rid of opening-game jitters.
“After that, I felt comfortable and everything came natural to me,” Dent said.
He thought redshirt freshman Eric Jobe did a good job as his backup.
“He didn’t seem nervous at all,” Dent said. “He was very comfortable out there and performed very well. I’m glad he’s back over here (after a brief trial on the defensive line).”
Derek Hayes, also a redshirt freshman, was a surprise starter at right guard.
“I didn’t know I was starting until close to game time,” he said.
“I was kind of nervous at first, but it was a great experience to be out there with all those guys. I split time with Eric Rodemoyer (who is expected to start against Marshall).”
Hayes agrees with others that the O-line still has some settling to do up front. He thinks Marshall’s defensive front could give them problems.
“I’ve just go to keep working every day to get better,” he said. “Eric (Rodemoyer) is going to work hard, and I’m going to work hard.”
Hayes said he learned a lot just being around the veterans.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Sophomore guard Greg Isdaner and junior center Mike Dent think the rebuilt offensive line played pretty well in third-ranked West Virginia’s season-opening 62-24 rout of Western Michigan.
But both starters will tell you that they think there is room for improvement before the Mountaineers (1-0) meet Marshall (0-1) on Saturday in Huntington.
“There’s a lot of things for us to work on,” said Isdaner, who started all 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman. “Obviously, pass protection with people coming free a couple times.
“Some of that was confusion between us and (quarterback) Pat (White), and some of that was confusion between us up front. We know we need to continue to improve, and we’re working hard every day to do that.”
Dent, who made his first start as successor to consensus All-America center Dan Mozes, said, “I thought I could have done a little better. There was some stuff out there that I made mistakes on and shouldn’t have.”
He’s admittedly working hard this week on getting better. He said it took him two or three snaps to get rid of opening-game jitters.
“After that, I felt comfortable and everything came natural to me,” Dent said.
He thought redshirt freshman Eric Jobe did a good job as his backup.
“He didn’t seem nervous at all,” Dent said. “He was very comfortable out there and performed very well. I’m glad he’s back over here (after a brief trial on the defensive line).”
Derek Hayes, also a redshirt freshman, was a surprise starter at right guard.
“I didn’t know I was starting until close to game time,” he said.
“I was kind of nervous at first, but it was a great experience to be out there with all those guys. I split time with Eric Rodemoyer (who is expected to start against Marshall).”
Hayes agrees with others that the O-line still has some settling to do up front. He thinks Marshall’s defensive front could give them problems.
“I’ve just go to keep working every day to get better,” he said. “Eric (Rodemoyer) is going to work hard, and I’m going to work hard.”
Hayes said he learned a lot just being around the veterans.
