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West Virginia figured it would be taking some lumps with another new quarterback. Instead, the team might get hammered by a number of NCAA violations.
Coach Bill Stewart will try to keep the No. 25 Mountaineers focused on the field Saturday when they open the season against seemingly overmatched Coastal Carolina.
Stewart named Geno Smith his starting quarterback after he completed 32 of 49 passes for 309 yards with one touchdown and one interception in five games last year while backing up Jarrett Brown.
Growing pains are expected for the sophomore signal caller, who is the third starter in as many years for West Virginia.
"I want Geno to play fearless and I want him to lead," Stewart said. "I want him to get in that huddle and command that respect. That is what all great quarterbacks do - they commanded that presence."
Instead of being worried about Smith and the team's development, Stewart and the Mountaineers have been dealt a potentially severe blow.
Last month, the NCAA cited West Virginia for five major and one secondary rules violations from 2005 to 2009 involving non-coaching staff working in coaching roles with players. The latter two years came under Stewart's watch.
"That is not on our mind," Stewart said. "This football team, led by Bill Stewart, our staff and seniors, is going to concentrate on the 2010 season with full effort. We will not talk about it anymore."
West Virginia caused a stir again as some players wore lightweight shoulder pads during the first two days of practice, even though NCAA rules stipulate shoulder pads couldn't be worn until the third day.
WVU planned to self-report the violation, and new athletic director Oliver Luck has pledged his support of Stewart while he takes time to review the entire program.
On the field, the Mountaineers are trying to re-establish their dominance of the Big East. They've finished second to Cincinnati each of the last two years under Stewart after winning five consecutive conference titles.
Stewart came under heavy criticism after the team finished 9-4 last year.
The defense, which led the Big East with 17 interceptions, was an issue down the stretch. The unit allowed averages of 374.0 yards and 22.4 points during a season-ending 4-3 stretch that included a 33-21 loss to Florida State in the Gator Bowl, during which the Seminoles racked up 415 yards.
More defensive struggles could increase the pressure on Smith, who is expected to be supported by running back Noel Devine and receiver Jock Sanders.
Devine was second in the conference with 1,465 yards while adding 13 touchdowns last season. The senior is fifth on the school's career rushing list, needing 1,784 yards to overtake all-time leader Avon Cobourne, who compiled 5,164 yards from 1999-2002.
Sanders led the team with 688 yards a year ago, while his 72 catches ranked second in the Big East but only three went for scores.
The Mountaineers appear to have an excellent chance to get the season off to a strong start against Coastal Carolina from the Football Championship Subdivision.
Stewart, however, is wary of the Chanticleers, who went 5-6 last year and finished fourth in the Big South.
"I know their coach and he has done a great job with them in the last few years," he said. "They will be physical and they will play hard, because that is how they play ball. It is going to be a good test for us and we hopefully will get to see some young guys mature, particularly a quarterback and some receivers."
Zach MacDowall is back for a third season as Coastal Carolina's starting quarterback. The senior completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards with nine TDs and 11 picks last year. It was a significant drop from his sophomore season when he threw for 2,064 yards with 16 scores and six INTs.
MacDowall will have his favorite target back in senior receiver Brandon Whitley, who had team highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (469) and TD catches (4) last year.
Coastal Carolina benefited from Hofstra deciding to drop its football program. Defensive tackle Johnny Hartsfield, linebacker Chris Thomas and cornerback Dontavious Johnson transferred and will play immediately.
Hartsfield is slated to start on the defensive line, while Johnson could emerge as a key member of the secondary.
The Chanticleers lost their only meeting against a ranked opponent when they opened 2008 by falling 66-10 at No. 22 Penn State.
