3 Things to Watch in Spring: Offense

The Dana Holgorsen era in Morgantown is over, but the high-flying, high-powered offenses are here to stay under new head coach Neal Brown. There are a ton of question marks heading into this spring, many surrounding the quarterback battle and what the offense will look like. There will be slight changes of course, but nothing completely different like running the triple option or running a pro-style, ground and pound type of strategy. The spread attack will remain, but with some minor tweaks.

So, let’s have at it. Here are the three things to watch from the Mountaineer offense this spring.

3. Offensive line realignment

Offensive lineman Colton McKivitz rushes over to help his teammate Kennedy McKoy off the ground after scoring a touchdown vs Kansas State (Photo: Dominion Post)

The Mountaineers new offensive line coach, Matt Moore, will be tasked with replacing three starters from last years team including a first-round talent in Yodny Cajuste. Last week Moore met with the media to give the first update on the big fellas since spring started. “I like the enthusiasm. I think this group enjoys to practice. We just have to do a better job of coaching them and staying on their feet, this is a learning process.” he said.

Replacing Cajuste may be a bit easier than many would think with redshirt senior Colton McKivitz flipping over to the left side. Moore believes that McKivitz is the best player they have up front. “I think he’s one of our best o-lineman, I think you got to put him at left tackle. He had some trouble today with his sets, but that’s just because it’s the first time he’s done it live, but I think he can be a really good left tackle in this league.

The center position will be up for grabs for the first time in two years after the previous starter Matt Jones decided to utilize the grad transfer route to Youngstown State to be with his new fiancé and closer to his family. Redshirt junior Jacob Buccigrossi figured to be the next guy in line considering he was a heavy favorite to beat out Jones the previous two seasons before injuries derailed that opportunity. Coach Moore said that he wants to find out which guys can snap and ideally would like to have three that are able to go at all times. “(Chase) Behrndt, you know, he’s learning. That’s a tough position to come out and play if you haven’t played much of it. He’s going to get better every day and that’s what I’m going to challenge him to get better every day. 

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