Neal Brown’s comments on West Virginia’s passing game yesterday were concerning to say the least.
In a report by John Antonik, the Director of Content for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Brown stated that the passing game struggled all day during practice on Monday. Though it was a practice “dominated by defense,” Brown brought up the possibility that a poor offensive performance could have contributed to it, and that he would have to review film to determine the cause.
Coming into fall camp, many expected the passing game to be a strong point for WVU’s offense. Returning was a slew of talented receivers, and Jarret Doege who closed the 2019 campaign strong. However, while Neal Brown has yet to name who will be running out first when the Mountaineers take the field against the Colonels from Eastern Kentucky, Doege has been the presumed starter from the beginning. Despite these beliefs, could Brown’s comments be an indicator this quarterback competition between Jarret Doege and Austin Kendall is closer than originally expected? We think so.
West Virginia desperately needed either Kendall or Doege to set himself apart from the other and take the reigns of the offense. At no point in fall camp has Brown tipped his hat in either signal-caller’s direction. Now that he is being open about the struggles of the passing game, Mountaineer fans should begin to get a little nervous.
Though this does not mean the quarterback position will struggle greatly this season, it could result in a revolving door between Kendall and Doege. If Brown is not completely comfortable with either, he will not hesitate to replace them if they struggle.
This may be an overreaction, but the quarterback competition is truly becoming too close for comfort. We need either Kendall to Doege to step up and lead, and it needs to be done sooner rather than later.
