More complete Pettaway ready for year two in the WVU backfield

Martell Pettaway didn’t have any hesitation when he was called on 11 games into the season.

The Mountaineers had initially intended to preserve a redshirt year for the Detroit, Michigan native but injuries in the backfield forced the hand of the coaching staff against Iowa State. Pettaway is the first signee from Michigan since 2007.

Looking down the bench, Justin Crawford had injured his ankle in the first quarter, while Kennedy McKoy was still dealing with a nagging shoulder issue. Senior running back Rushel Shell had already been ruled out of the game with an ankle injury of his own leaving the green Pettaway as the only option on the ground.

But when his number was finally called there was no pause in Pettaway because it was a possibility he had been expecting for several games.

“I was actually supposed to play before but they held me back,” he said. “I was ready.”

Recalling the first time he stepped onto the field there was a jolt of nervousness, but that faded quickly and in his college debut piled up 181 yards on a total of 30 carries against the Cyclones.

“The first play I was a little nervous but after I got that first run I felt good,” he said.

While the rest of the Iowa State game is more of a blur to Pettaway who admitted that he ran hard and didn’t really think about what he was doing on the field – the next two games started to slow down. He had a better understanding of where he needed to be and his assignments which helped him develop.

Over the next two games, Pettaway would rush for 79 yards as the rest of the backfield returned to health, but the experience is one that helped prepare him for this year. Nothing can replace on the field experience for a young player and the now-sophomore will enter the year as part of a loaded three-headed monster backfield along with Crawford and McKoy.

It was a trial by fire that has given him an understanding of what it takes to play in college.

“I actually learned a lot those three games. They threw me in the game and it gave me a lot of experience in trying to read the defense,” he said.

Even with the showcasing his abilities on the field, Pettaway known as a bruising runner still has some tricks up his sleeve as the one-time track athlete, competing in the 100 and 200, is faster than many think. His versatility also is a part of his game that he continues to refine.

When asked if his speed was a little undervalued, he smiled.

“Yeah a little bit but I haven’t really gotten out in the open field,” he said.

Crawford has taken notice of his speed in practice but believes that the standout aspect of his game is his physical nature and how he can lower his shoulder to gain additional yardage.

“I’ll put a move on you but he’ll run through you,” he said.

Pettaway finished the Gold-Blue game with 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground and is poised to make the next step in his second year while showcasing his wide-ranging skill set. Especially now that he has a grasp on understanding what defenses are trying to do as well as blitz pickup.

“I can catch out of the backfield, run over a few guy and do it all,” he said.