Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 13, 2007 12:00:17 GMT -5
By MICKEY FURFARI, For The Inter-Mountain
(The Inter-Mountain/Joey Kittle)
MORGANTOWN — Owen Schmitt is spending slightly more time at tight end than he is at fullback, where he was a standout in West Virginia University’s backfield last fall. But the 6-3, 200-pound senior from Fairfax, Va., admittedly feels pretty good taking snaps at both positions. “So far, so good, I guess,” he said after practice. Schmitt doesn’t see much difference in the blocking techniques, regardless of where he’s performing. “To tell you the truth, it’s still pretty much the same at either spot,” he said. “It’s just that when I’m in the backfield I’m fullback, and when I’m up in the line I’m tight end. I defend against the same person at either place.” Schmitt was highly productive last season, despite an ankle problem. He rushed 65 times for 351 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 91 yards and one score. He appeared in all 13 games, six as a starter, and has played in 25 contests over two years since transferring to WVU from Wisconsin-River Falls.
“This year everything is functional,” Schmitt said. “I never worried much about keeping record of not losing any yardage. I’m not really a stats guy. The only stat I really keep is wins and losses.”
That’s because he’s truly a team player. He stands willing to do whatever he can for the Mountaineers to attain the lofty goals they have set for this season.
While WVU hasn’t used a tight end as a pass-catcher very much, he hopes the plan is to do more with the player at that position.
“We’ll catch the ball if we get in the right spot on the field,” he said.
Schmitt certainly looks different with his Mohawk haircut. Senior linebacker Marc Magro, with whom he works out a lot in the weight room, has a shorter haircut than usual. But there’s no connection between the two in that respect.
“Marc already was planning to cut his hair short,” Schmitt said. “We still work out together. My physical strength definitely has improved since I first came here.”
So has his value to the team. He’s considered one of the offense’s most dependable options if opposing defenders start concentrating on All-America tailback Steve Slaton.
(WOOF!!!!)
(The Inter-Mountain/Joey Kittle)
MORGANTOWN — Owen Schmitt is spending slightly more time at tight end than he is at fullback, where he was a standout in West Virginia University’s backfield last fall. But the 6-3, 200-pound senior from Fairfax, Va., admittedly feels pretty good taking snaps at both positions. “So far, so good, I guess,” he said after practice. Schmitt doesn’t see much difference in the blocking techniques, regardless of where he’s performing. “To tell you the truth, it’s still pretty much the same at either spot,” he said. “It’s just that when I’m in the backfield I’m fullback, and when I’m up in the line I’m tight end. I defend against the same person at either place.” Schmitt was highly productive last season, despite an ankle problem. He rushed 65 times for 351 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 91 yards and one score. He appeared in all 13 games, six as a starter, and has played in 25 contests over two years since transferring to WVU from Wisconsin-River Falls.
“This year everything is functional,” Schmitt said. “I never worried much about keeping record of not losing any yardage. I’m not really a stats guy. The only stat I really keep is wins and losses.”
That’s because he’s truly a team player. He stands willing to do whatever he can for the Mountaineers to attain the lofty goals they have set for this season.
While WVU hasn’t used a tight end as a pass-catcher very much, he hopes the plan is to do more with the player at that position.
“We’ll catch the ball if we get in the right spot on the field,” he said.
Schmitt certainly looks different with his Mohawk haircut. Senior linebacker Marc Magro, with whom he works out a lot in the weight room, has a shorter haircut than usual. But there’s no connection between the two in that respect.
“Marc already was planning to cut his hair short,” Schmitt said. “We still work out together. My physical strength definitely has improved since I first came here.”
So has his value to the team. He’s considered one of the offense’s most dependable options if opposing defenders start concentrating on All-America tailback Steve Slaton.
(WOOF!!!!)
