Neal Brown Recaps the First Team Scrimmage and Reveals the Top Performers

We are just three weeks away until the West Virginia University Mountaineers host the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on September 12. The team held their first team scrimmage of fall camp Saturday morning at Mountaineer Field.

"We just put the ball down and played a lot," said head coach Neal Brown. "Conditioning-wise, we're not where we need to be. Went approximately 40 plays with the one's and the two's and 20 with the threes. Worked some situations also; two-minute, goal line, third down, red zone.

A key area of focus this offseason is the red zone on both sides of the ball. In a simulation on turnovers inside the red zone, the ones held the offense to a missed field goal, and the two's held the offense to field goal.

In the game, the offensive ones versus defensive ones, Neal said they played a two-minute situation with the clock sitting at about a minute and 18 seconds to go. The offense had to go the length of the field. The with the defense up by seven, the offensive executed driving the length of the field to set up the scoring play on third and goal from the one with nine seconds left to go.

The offense opted to go for two for the win, but the defense stepped up and made a great play, according to Brown.

Standing behind the action during the period, Brown was able to identify some of the top performers on the day and proceeded to rattle them off following the scrimmage.

Exree Loe / R- Junior / Linebacker, 6-0, 212-lb

"(He) had a pick that ended a two-minute end of game [situation]. I've been impressed with him. I think he's shown improvement - He definitely has talent - He's gotten his weight up where it needs to be. He's, for the last two years, really been one of our top special team's players and made plays on defense today."

Akheem Mesidor / Defensive End / 6-2, 268-lb

"Continues to show that he's ready to go, and he will be in our rotation when we start on September 12.

Naim Muhammad / R-Freshmen spear / 5-10, 204-lb

"(He) is a guy that played some special teams here last year. Had, maybe, the play of the day on a pick in the red zone.

Taurus Simmons / Freshmen Bandit / 6-1, 232-lb

"Had a sack today. I thought he was active. Young guy. His best football is going to be down the road, but I thought he showed out today."

Dylan Tonkery / R-Senior / 6-0, 228-lb)

"He's fit in the runs better. He's more comfortable. I've even heard him talk a little bit more out on the field, which is a positive."

Leddie Brown / Junior / Running Back / 5-11, 210)

"(He) was really good today, and he's a guy for us to be one of the most improved teams in the country. He's got to be a guy that's consistent for us. I thought he was patient today. I thought he finished runs, made guys miss, and broke tackles at the second and third level, which has been a point of emphasis (Running back Coach) Chad Scott's had with him.

Bryce Wheaton / R-Sophomore / Receiver / 6-3, 218-lb

"He's had really good days except for one. He's got talent, he got the size, he's got the speed, he's just got to put it together, and he's a little bit further ahead than I thought he would be and he had some big plays today, he almost went for 100 yards."

Reese Smith / Freshman / Receiver / 5-10, 186

"(He) had his best day as a Mountaineer – had five catches and was really productive. Several of those were third downs."

Graeson Malashevich / R- Freshman / Receiver / 5-9, 179-lb

"(He) is a guy I love the way he plays. He competes. He's one of our best perimeter blockers, and he's got a future here.

Evan Staley / R-Senior / Kicker / 6-0, 200-lb

"Outside of one day, has had a nice fall camp to this point."

Dante Bonamico / R-Senior / Spear / 5-8, 185-lb

"(He) is a guy that keeps showing up on special teams."

Sean Martin / Freshman / Defensive End / 6-4, 281-lb

"He had a sack today and had a nice day today."

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