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(UWIRE) MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The defense excelled in the first practice in full pads for the West Virginia University football team on Wednesday.
Head coach Bill Stewart praised the entire defense after an extended practice in the Caperton Indoor Facility -- the last before the team departs for Spring Break.
He especially liked the defensive stops in the 11-on-11 red-zone scrimmage at the end of practice.
During that stint, the offense did not put together two consecutive first down drives and was held out of the end zone after having a second down on the 8-yard line.
"They were really flying around at the end out there," said Stewart. "That was a very competitive situation. We didn't do a very good job offensively, but our defense just got after it."
Stewart also praised defensive players J.T. Thomas, calling him a heat-seeking missile, and Pat Lazear and Quinton Andrews for their tackling and intensity.
"Just being in full pads, makes it feel like it's full go," Thomas said after practice. "We were in shells, and you always feel like you have to slow down and be a little cautious, but when you are in full pads, you feel like your live, in a game situation."
Thomas said, though, that he wouldn't consider the defense ahead of the offense at this point.
"We are very young on defense too," Thomas said. "But we aren't ahead of the offense I would say because they have so much talent, and it doesn't matter what offense you put them in, they are always going to be good.
"We are on a level playing field right now -- equal competition."
Andrews, who is considered one of the veterans in the secondary in terms of playing experience, is trying to take the momentum of his interception in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl into spring practice.
"I want to become the ultimate safety," Andrews said. "I'm working on a lot of things right now. I'm trying to be a leader, trying to be the best safety that we have.
"I am trying to help the younger guys, but I also want to make myself the best player that I can possibly be."
