Owen Schmitt proving his value at Senior Bowl practice.

Once again he is making us proud. He is delivering his patented hits. He is doing his catch the ball run, run the ball, and knock-heads thing. He is impressing his teammates particularly the defensive ones, which he welcomes with a never stop till the whistle blows mentality. He is more importantly impressing the NFL coaches. Owen is the type of guy who simply needs a chance once he gets it he will impress. This part of his job interview is going very well. I encourage everyone to watch the Senior Bowl so that you too can once again see Owen shine. The picture to the left is from ESPN.

ESPN has done a story on the Big O and here are some of the highlights of that article:

"He's got a hard head and won't quit coming at you," Penn State linebacker Dan Connor said admiringly. "I like his style. He's old-school. He's tough and rugged. Going against him … it's like 1972 football." "You don't have to look around when he hits somebody," Connor said. "You know who it is by the way it sounds." At one point, Schmitt's helmet popped off while he was blocking Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable. In vintage fashion, Schmitt never even thought about stopping. "The whistle didn't blow yet, so you keep going," Schmitt said, shrugging. Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom, who coached running backs in the NFL, faced Schmitt each of the past two seasons and thinks he can play in any system. "He's exactly what you're looking for, a big guy who can block, can run, can catch the football and be your short-yardage guy," Croom said. "You can do so many things with him. That's what makes him so valuable." Tom Rathman, who also knows a little something about playing fullback in the NFL, has had a close-up view of Schmitt this week. Rathman won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers while clearing the way for Roger Craig and now is the running backs coach of the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders' staff is coaching the North team this week. "Everything you look for in a fullback, he has," Rathman said. "It's about him taking it to the next level, getting better in everything he does, whether it be the pass game or the run game. He's got to get better as a blocker. But he has the tools to take that next step. It's a matter of how fast he progresses." The comparisons between Rathman and Schmitt are obvious, but Rathman stopped short of calling them mirror images of each other. "Nah, I was a lot better looking than he is," Rathman quipped. Schmitt gets a chuckle out of being asked whether he would be willing to play H-back or even special teams in the NFL.
"I'll play water boy if they want to draft me," he said. "I don't care. I'd punt if they really wanted me to. I just want to impress some people and show them what I can do." - By Chris Low ESPN.com

And impress is what he continues to do on and off the field. I can't wait to see you in the NFL. My love of all things Owen will continue to grow and develop as he continues to grow and develop in the the next opportunity. Fathers of aspiring football players please do yourself a service and watch this man play. His attitude and aptitude for football is exactly what your boy should attempt to acquire.

DaGeek

WVU will Ink a JUCO Grad From University of Phoenix

6-foot-3, 215lb., Courtney Stuart (Likely Free Safety or Bandit) will sign his letter of intent to be eligible for 3 seasons. He will graduate with an associates degree from the University of Phoenix this spring. He will report to the team in July with the rest of the the rookies. Owen Schmitt is a big reason for this latest member of our recruiting class see the quote below. Holy Schmitt is the gift that keeps on giving. Former player Dale Wolfley is a coach with the University of Phoenix JUCO program. He helped to direct Stuart toward WVU. Wolfley compared Stuart to a Ryan Mundy type of prospect. One can only hope. Anyway, I like the fact that the current players are a big part of why recruits want to be a part of this. Welcome to the team Courtney Stuart!!!

"The biggest reason I committed was the tradition, the pride--just to be proud to be a Mountaineer. I liked the camaraderie between the players, the opportunity to come in and win and build on the tradition. "To tell you the truth, I'm a little in awe, a little emotional. I remember talking with Coach (Dale) Wolfley about a year ago. He asked me, 'How would you like to play at West Virginia?' "'That would be awesome,' I told him, 'get me to West Virginia.' A year later, coach Wolfley did it. "Seeing that Schmitt, seeing him break down at the end of the game, that's the kind of program I want to be part of. Little did I know that I would get a call from them. It makes me feel like it's a privilege. I want to give everything I got," Stuart said. - from Story By Jim Laise WVSPORTS.COM

WVU men (15-4, 4-2) 66-64; WVU women(15-3, 4-1) 58-51over Marshall in Capital Classic

Well the men, I am guessing will be doing some treadmill work today along with some free-throw shooting. This wasn't the performance that Huggins was looking for after last Saturday's game. However we did overcome. Neither the men nor the women put on extra-ordinary performances against their down-state rivals and both were happy to leave Charleston with W's.

I for one am glad that this legislature mandated mid-year game is over so that we can focus on the Big East. I think that the officiating left something to be desired, with a total of 52 files called that night. But it is not an excuse as was pointed out by Joe Mazzula. "(The officiating) went both ways," said WVU guard Joe Mazzulla. "Both teams had to adapt to it and I don't think either team every really did. That's why there were so many free throws."-AP

One possitive note in this game was the debut of a familiar face, Jarrett Brown who went 2 of 3 for five points in first half action. “This time of the year you try to win and go on,” Huggins said. “I’ll be over it hopefully by the time practice rolls around tomorrow.” -AP The team is hoping he is over it for if he is not it could be a painful practice. But alas it is time for the men to focus on Georgetown. The 12th rated woman also need to focus on the task at hand in the Big East. Ugly wins are always better than pretty losses!!!

DaGeek

Fiesta Bowl Slideshow

Tonight is the annual legislature game.

That is right sport's fans it is WVU vs. Marshall men and women. This is for a years worth of bragging rights. Both teams have been tough at home. So these "Neutral" site games could prove interesting. One thing I have learned about this game is that who really knows. Truth is that both teams have won on days that they shouldn't so as I said we shall see. I know that I am going to have to deal with some stuff if DaGeek's Wifey's team is successful. So in the interest of the Earth continuing to move around the sun let's hope WVU wins. I would love to hear from everyone post game.

DaGeek

Da'Sean Butler Big East Honor Roll

When announcing this weeks BIG EAST accolades our mountaineer, Da’Sean Butler was honored for his performances last week where he averaged 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week. He also scored 15 points with 12 rebounds in a 69-52 win at USF.

Way to go Da'Sean!!!

College Basketball Coaches Poll Question

My first post as an author on this blog and I start by asking a question. Wondering if John Beilein has a vote in college basketball's coaches poll and if so if he voted for WVU in his top 25 poll.

Wake Forest QB coach looks to be announced as WVU OC

The Register Harald is reporting that Jeff Mullen is expected to be announced as OC.

"He has been at Wake Forest for seven years, the last five as coach of quarterbacks."

"Mullen was in Morgantown this past weekend and offered the position, according to an informed source. An official announcement is expected after paperwork is completed."

I will bring more to you regarding this hire if and when it becomes official. Mickey Frufari is pretty careful about these kind of announcements thus I am confident that it is true.

DaGeek

Owen Schmitt watch at Senior Bowl North team practice.

Official Weight and Height was 251 and 6'2" respectively. They didn't show any running drills. Only three pass plays that I saw him involved with. He missed a catch when the ball was overthrown. John David Booty of USC through a check down pass to Owen when he was split out and Owen caught it, turning up field for more. Matter of fact it was the last 7 on 7 play of the day. Worth the wait. Well done!!! He looks like he belongs. No shock to me. Reading ESPN's take I found this: "• Maybe the best attraction of the North practice was West Virginia FB Owen Schmitt. You wouldn't think that a semi-contact practice would show off the talents of a big, physical, mauling, blocking fullback and early on, it didn't as Schmitt showed that he is not a natural hand catcher and struggles to flip his hips in space and quickly get upfield. But the bruiser quickly became the North's quarterbacks' favorite target as a dump-off option. He made a nice catch during the seven-on-seven drills and several during the team period, including taking hits that twice took his helmet off to expose his Mohawk haircut. Since the quarterbacks did not yet have a feel for the deep passing game or great timing yet with their deeper options, Schmitt was the benefactor. "-Insider ESPN
DaGeek

Mounties 2nd in Big East!

With the win over S. Florida today, WVU(14-4, 4-2) sits in a 2nd place tie in the Big East with Cincinnati (9-9) and DePaul (8-9). Whodathunkit? There are however, quite a few quality teams right behind us at 3-2. The Mounties did it with an outstanding team performance in a must win road game without Joe Alexander. They gave up a few lay ups at the beginning of the game and USF's first 12 points in the second half came on uncontested lay ups, but finished both halves with excellent defense and the 2nd half especially with near perfect offensive sets. They used a near flawless offensive and defensive run in the 2nd half to take an 11 point lead and were able to extend it at the end with excellent free throw shooting. Butler had another huge game with a double-double. And Jarrett Brown saw his first action of the year with a couple uneventful minutes in the first half.