Long makes most of first start

Against his better judgement, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson had several moments where he considered pulling the redshirt of true freshman linebacker David Long throughout the course of last fall.

And it didn't make it easier that his boss, head coach Dana Holgorsen, also was pushing for Long to see the field.

"I thought he was game ready last year," Holgorsen said.

Even with all the experience at the linebacker spots with three senior starters and a key senior reserve, the Ohio native kept making plays and could have seriously been considered as the scout team player of the week every week.

But Gibson sided with reason and left Long on the bench to preserve his four-years of eligibility and allow him the opportunity to further develop.

“There was no use to waste him. A year ago he might have been used for ten snaps a game or on special teams but I knew what he was going to be,” Gibson said.

And after his first career start against Kansas State he’s glad he did.

Long finished the game with three tackles including one for a loss and was active from his WILL linebacker spot throughout the game making plays.

It’s nothing new for Gibson, who’s watched him make plays since he first arrived on campus. Gibson has been high on Long since he first stepped foot on campus and has been one of the names he’s constantly referenced when it comes to younger players that have impressed.

“He’ll do stuff and I’ll say what is he doing he’s completely wrong and he makes the tackle,” Gibson said.

The West Virginia coaching staff first approached Long last Sunday about being inserted into the starting line-up and the redshirt freshman was up to the challenge.

“Coach told me it was time to go in and I told him yes sir. That was it,” Long said.

But once he took the field he quickly learned that it required playing faster and quicker from the start as opposed to what he was used to coming off the bench with the luxury of learning and picking the brain of those that were in front of him on the field.

All while fighting his nerves as you would expect with a first-time starter in front of a sold out crowd.

“I had to play my game and not over-do it,” he said.

The story for Long is only just beginning but Gibson believes that the sky is the limit for the athletic linebacker, who’s skill set reminds him of the departed Shaquille Petteway.

“David is a special kid and I’m going to have fun coaching him for the next four years,” Gibson said.