MORGANTOWN - Jeff Mullen was answering questions about his sometimes-struggling offense this week and eventually the topic turned to quarterback Jarrett Brown.
MORGANTOWN - Jeff Mullen was answering questions about his sometimes-struggling offense this week and eventually the topic turned to quarterback Jarrett Brown.
West Virginia's offensive coordinator, almost off-handedly, referred to Brown as "a different kid.'' The reference was to Brown's play in recent weeks as opposed to the beginning of the season.
"A different kid?'' Mullen was asked to explain.
"Did I say that?'' he replied.
Uh, well, yes.
Mullen's point, he reluctantly explained, was that after being knocked around and battered and bruised for nine games, Brown might not necessarily be playing the same way he was when he was fresh. While part of that is natural after sustaining shoulder, head and ankle injuries, it also might have a little something to do with Mullen and the rest of West Virginia's coaches reining Brown in just a bit to try and keep him healthy.
But assuming Brown is healthy, that might change Friday night when the Mountaineers (7-2, 3-1 Big East) face No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0) at Nippert Stadium.
"The kid's got a gift,'' Mullen said. "And you certainly don't want to harness that gift.''
It is unquestionable that Brown's performance over the past month or so has not been as productive as it was early on. During the first two games of the season he completed 43-of-57 passes for 577 yards, and ran for 142 more. Brown turned the ball over five times in the third game, at Auburn, but still managed 221 yards passing and 66 rushing.
But since then he has injured his non-throwing shoulder, suffered a concussion and, last week against Louisville, injured an ankle. His completion percentage is still a solid 64.8, but he also has produced just three touchdowns and as many interceptions in the last three games. And after averaging 450 yards and 33.4 points during the first five games of the season, the Mountaineers in the last four games have averaged only 324 yards and 22 points.
Brown insists that his various injuries have not put a crimp in his style.
"No, it hasn't,'' Brown said. "We've been doing a great job of treating my body. It was my non-throwing shoulder I injured against Auburn. The concussion, I've fully recovered from that. And the ankle problem, I'm running and we've still got [time] until the game. I'll be ready for Cincinnati.
"Yeah, I'm nicked up, but I expected that. That's why I worked so hard in the offseason. That's why I did all that lifting, just trying to get my body right for all that pounding.''
There are still health issues with Brown. The ankle that he injured in the second half of the win over Louisville is still sore.
MORGANTOWN - Jeff Mullen was answering questions about his sometimes-struggling offense this week and eventually the topic turned to quarterback Jarrett Brown.
West Virginia's offensive coordinator, almost off-handedly, referred to Brown as "a different kid.'' The reference was to Brown's play in recent weeks as opposed to the beginning of the season.
"A different kid?'' Mullen was asked to explain.
"Did I say that?'' he replied.
Uh, well, yes.
Mullen's point, he reluctantly explained, was that after being knocked around and battered and bruised for nine games, Brown might not necessarily be playing the same way he was when he was fresh. While part of that is natural after sustaining shoulder, head and ankle injuries, it also might have a little something to do with Mullen and the rest of West Virginia's coaches reining Brown in just a bit to try and keep him healthy.
But assuming Brown is healthy, that might change Friday night when the Mountaineers (7-2, 3-1 Big East) face No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0) at Nippert Stadium.
"The kid's got a gift,'' Mullen said. "And you certainly don't want to harness that gift.''
It is unquestionable that Brown's performance over the past month or so has not been as productive as it was early on. During the first two games of the season he completed 43-of-57 passes for 577 yards, and ran for 142 more. Brown turned the ball over five times in the third game, at Auburn, but still managed 221 yards passing and 66 rushing.
But since then he has injured his non-throwing shoulder, suffered a concussion and, last week against Louisville, injured an ankle. His completion percentage is still a solid 64.8, but he also has produced just three touchdowns and as many interceptions in the last three games. And after averaging 450 yards and 33.4 points during the first five games of the season, the Mountaineers in the last four games have averaged only 324 yards and 22 points.
Brown insists that his various injuries have not put a crimp in his style.
"No, it hasn't,'' Brown said. "We've been doing a great job of treating my body. It was my non-throwing shoulder I injured against Auburn. The concussion, I've fully recovered from that. And the ankle problem, I'm running and we've still got [time] until the game. I'll be ready for Cincinnati.
"Yeah, I'm nicked up, but I expected that. That's why I worked so hard in the offseason. That's why I did all that lifting, just trying to get my body right for all that pounding.''
There are still health issues with Brown. The ankle that he injured in the second half of the win over Louisville is still sore.
"I've been going through all the drills,'' Brown said. "I just haven't been really going a hundred percent, but I've been feeling well enough to do all the things Coach asks me to do. I'm going to be ready.''
If he can overcome the ankle and return to his free-wheeling style of early in the season, it can't help but add something to a West Virginia offense that is going to have to produce some points to match Cincinnati's high-powered attack - or at least control the football in order to keep the Bearcats off the field.
"We've got to score some points. And I think we will,'' Brown said. "I've got enough confidence in this offense that we'll put up points.''
So why hasn't it happened lately?
"We've just got to do some little things correct,'' Brown said. "And I think we know how important it is just to do the little things. Little things like throwing it to the outside shoulder [of a receiver] where he can turn upfield for more yards. Little things like that.''
Brown's injuries, of course, are not the only ones affecting West Virginia's offense. Tailback Noel Devine has a sprained ankle, which has forced slot receiver Jock Sanders to play out of position in the backfield, effectively weakening two positions. Wide receiver Bradley Starks has been struggling with a bad back.
"It's really not a problem,'' Brown said. "I'm expecting Noel to play. And if he doesn't, Jock's not a problem [at tailback]. Tavon [Austin] is really talented. I wouldn't mind getting the ball in his hands. I'm feeling fine about the offense right now and the personnel.''
Still, much of it all goes back to Brown and the way he plays. Coach Bill Stewart said this week that he wanted his quarterback to loosen up and have some fun because he plays better with that mindset.
"That's one thing I have to remind myself of,'' Brown said. "When you're pressing I don't think you can play to your full ability. He just wants us to go out there and play football and have fun.''
But is that possible with the pressure of facing an unbeaten team with Big East title implications on the line?
"This is what you want,'' Brown said. "This is why we play the game.''
Reach Dave Hickman at 304-348-1734 or dphickm...@aol.com.
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