MORGANTOWN - When WVU coach Dana Holgorsen announced on Tuesday left offensive guard Adam Pankey is "currently suspended," at least through the Missouri game, it might have caught some off-guard.
Yes, Pankey has been charged with DUI. But last season then-nose guard Kyle Rose was charged after allegedly assaulting a police officer - and received in-house punishment.
Call it odd if you wish because WVU didn't need Rose against outmanned Georgia Southern in last season's opener and the Mountaineers definitely could use Pankey against Missouri and its fine defensive line in this season's opener.
But look around, folks. Check out the college football climate, specifically the strongly worded statement recently released by Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly following incidents involving his team's players. ("Their conduct fell far short of what we expect from those who represent out football team and this great university." Also, "[aside from the legal process] there are times when a player's conduct so clearly fails to meet the standards I have set for our football team it is appropriate to take action independent" of that taken by the law or school.)
So it's no wonder why Holgorsen isn't just making Pankey clean the weight room.
Yet let's go back to the impact on the game. Again, Mizzou's strength is its defensive line. Is offensive line coach Ron Crook a little less comfortable today?
"There's no doubt," Crook said. "That's what's so hard when you have someone new out there. How are they going to fit in with the guys beside them? There's a trust factor after playing beside a guy 18, 19 games. That can have an impact. That's why I do what I do in preseason -- get guys playing the right side, left side, guard, tackle -- so they have a comfort level."
Don't misunderstand. Crook isn't panicking. He does, after all, have veteran Tony Matteo ready to fill in.
"He's played really well," Crook said of Matteo. "Last year was the same. He's had a great summer and a good camp leading up to this. So we're excited to see how he accepts the challenge moving forward."
He's just not Pankey.
"He's played though," Crook said. "It's not like we're putting someone new out there. We know what we're going to get from him."
The offensive line coach said 6-foot-6, 306-pound redshirt junior Grant Lingafelter will back up Matteo. The problem is the other side. Who backs up Kyle Bosch at right guard? That was supposed to be Matteo.
"We're still figuring out the other side," Crook said. "Grant will take some reps over there as well, and then we'll have Rob [Dowdy] and Ja'HShaun [Seider] and see who is the most worthy to put in there."
Dowdy is a 6-4, 290-pound redshirt freshman who has been backing up Yodny Cajuste at left tackle. Seider has been listed behind Tyler Orlosky at center, although Matteo also plays center. So the depth along the offensive line has taken a hit.
And that Missouri defensive front?
"Big, strong, fast, athletic," Crook ticked off. "It doesn't stay blocked. They're very good personnel-wise. We're uncertain from a coaching standpoint what their defense is going to be. They have a lot of new coaches in there, so we don't know what we're going to get from that standpoint, but, as far as personnel, they're as good as any we're going to see."
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Holgorsen touched on many personnel issues Tuesday. Gary Jennings will handle punts. Also, as expected, Marcell Lazard, the redshirt junior will start at tackle over challenger Colton McKivitz, a 6-7, 295-pound redshirt freshman.
"He's been through it," Crook said of Lazard. "He's seen it. Nothing is going to shock him out there. He's had a good preseason. I really like the direction in which he's going."
Whispers in WVU's camp were Holgorsen was simply trying to goose Lazard with the "battle" and McKivitz really could use another year before seeing action. Crook, though, said that isn't the case.
"Sure, I'd like to have [McKivitz] another year before [putting him] out there, but he's proven he's ready," said the assistant coach. "He's excited about the challenge. He's playing at a very high rate. He's playing at a high level. He deserves to be on the field."
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On the injury front, Holgorsen said tight end Trevon Wesco, a junior college transfer, was returning Tuesday to action. Which should prove interesting.
"We're going to see if we can get him back on track," said assistant Joe Wickline. "We're going to have to determine how much he can do when he gets out there. We'll get with our trainers and see how he looks, cuts, moves, stops, changes direction, bends and so forth. There's a lot that goes into it. When you miss a few days, you get rusty. We'll find out more after Saturday's practice."
Redshirt freshman Stone Wolfley is also at the position.
"He's done a nice job," Wickline said. "I hate to say we haven't done a lot over the last few days, but now we're getting back into the grind. As a whole, he hasn't gone backward; he's gone forward. There are some things, though, we all need to work on. He's not ready to quit practice yet. Now, from a scheme standpoint, a personnel and scheme standpoint, where does that all fit?"
Makes you wonder how much WVU will even use a tight end, does it not?
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WVU fans have undoubtedly read and heard about the running back trio of Rushel Shell, Kennedy McKoy and Justin Crawford.
That might just mean a redshirt season for highly regarded recruit Martell Pettaway, a 5-10, 203-pound back from Detroit.
"We're going to give Martell a couple more days this week [before making a call]," said backs coach JaJuan Seider. "If you'd have asked me about him a week ago, I'd tell you he was going to play, but he was out all week."
Seider said Pettaway had a leg bruise.
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And finally...
Fantasy football team owners are always seeking inside tips. And that includes moi.
So I asked Mountaineer receiver Ka'Raun White whether his brother, Chicago Bears wideout Kevin, is healthy enough to draft.
"Yes, he's good," said Ka'Raun. "He's just trying to stay on top of everything so he doesn't get injured again, but he's good. Draft him."
You are welcome.