Quick Hits: QB1 Decided, Results of Scrimmage No. 2, Pleasant Surprises + More

WVU head coach fielded questions from the media on Monday afternoon.

How the scrimmage went for the defense

"Defensively, we started slow. Not pleased by that but thought we picked it up. Had success in our two-minute situational work that we did defensively. We created three takeaways which is something that's been a real emphasis for us."

Defensive players who stood out in scrimmage

"Lance Dixon had a sack, two TFLs. He's a guy that we need to take a step. He's got a ton of potential and it's time for that to come through. Hershey McLaurin had his best day of fall camp. He had seven tackles and he had an interception he would have ran back for a touchdown. And then at corner, I thought Beanie Bishop and Malachi [Ruffin] had really nice days. Trey Lathan and Tirek Austin-Cave were around the ball a bunch. Hammond Russell, he had a TFL, he had a sack. And then Corey McIntyre [Jr.], a true freshman, he made some plays. He's got talent and I think he'll be able to help us at some point this year. Aubrey [Burks], Sean Martin, and Lee [Kpogba] were really limited. They all went, but were really limited."

How the scrimmage went for the offense

"Offensively, got off to a really fast start. Had several explosives. Reduced penalties which has been a point of emphasis too. Turnovers were not good. We got to hold onto the ball better."

Offensive players who stood out in scrimmage

"Traylon Ray has really had a nice week. He's come on and made some plays downfield and he's a guy that we're excited about. Preston Fox missed a few days earlier in the week, came back on Saturday and was really productive. And then Kole Taylor had some nice plays during our two-minute catching the ball over the middle. CJ [Donaldson] got some live carries and I think he's in a good spot. Jahiem White continues to have a good camp and so he'll play this year. O-line, we rotated guys. We just didn't play our top five or six. We tried to rotate in and out and try to mix up some lineups because that's what happens with your offensive line and I thought communication-wise, they were really on point."

If they know who will start at most positions

"We've got a really good idea of who we're going to play and who will start the game at pretty much every position. There's a couple battles that are still going. WILL linebacker that's going to carry on. Who's going to be the five o-linemen? Who's going to be in the group that's going to play? The two-deep for receiver is going to continue to go through this week."

Quarterback battle

"I know who we're going to play. I know who's going to start. I don't know if we'll share that or not. But yeah, that's been decided."

If Greene/Marchiol know who will start

"They know. We haven't done anything real formal with it, but they have a pretty good understanding. Here's the thing, we've got two really good quarterbacks. Feel good about both of them. One of them's a little bit further ahead and that's kind of where it is. I don't know if it really helps us to share a whole lot."

If he knew who QB1 was before second scrimmage

"It kind of verified what had been happening throughout camp. Both guys have gotten better. But one of them has performed at a higher level and we're going to continue to push them. We can play both of them in the game. I feel comfortable with both of them. It's just been clear who's ahead at this point."

Players that have surprised

"[RB] Justin Johnson has been consistent. He's been through I guess 15 practices now, just really consistent over the whole time. From the whole standpoint pass protection, blocking in the run game, catching the ball out of the backfield, he's been the most consistent in that room. [WR] Jarel Williams has been a surprise. He's had a nice camp. Going into his redshirt freshman year, he's made a big jump. Defensively, DayDay Hawkins is much improved. Fatorma Mulbah has been a pleasant surprise. He really came in in shape and sometimes those guys that sit a semester don't. Tomi [Durojaiye] is coming on. I thought he'd be a little further away, but I think he's getting closer to being ready than maybe I anticipated.

Wide receivers

"We've got plenty of bodies. We've caught the ball better. We've been disciplined. They got to go out and be productive on Saturdays. Devin [Carter] has been productive at other places. We've got a couple other guys who have been productive in junior college. But he [Devin Carter] is really the only one who's been highly productive at the Power Five level. But I'm comfortable with where the room's at."

True freshman that will play vs. Penn State

RB Jahiem White

WR Traylon Ray

WR Rodney Gallagher III

James Heard Jr. "definitely has a chance."

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