There are probably many words to describe William Snead’s
36-yard touchdown reception against Notre Dame on Saturday, but one
in particular immediately comes to mind: rumbling.
The six-foot-five-inch 255-pound tight end caught the ball with
about 20 yards to go for the touchdown. In between him and the goal
line were four Irish defenders.
No problem.
The former defensive end barrelled into, bowled over and knocked
down everyone attempting to tackle him on the first catch and first
touchdown of his career. It put the Bruins ahead 14-7 and was a
huge momentum boost for the Bruins’ offense.
And it came in just the third week of Snead’s career as a
tight end.
Knowing that the Bruins would likely need some help at tight end
with injuries to Ryan Moya and J.J. Hair, coach Karl Dorrell came
to Snead asking him to switch to tight end from defensive end,
where he was getting little playing time. Snead was eager to make
the change.
“I just noticed it wasn’t going my way,” Snead
said. “It was something I mentioned to coach a while ago and
he told me to stick at defensive end for a while.
“Wherever the best opportunity for me is, that’s
where I’ll play.”
With Moya likely out for the season and Hair currently missing
time with hip and hamstring injuries, Snead will be looked upon to
provide serious playing time at tight end, as evidenced by his
touchdown catch. Still, the coaches are not looking to overload him
with information at this early stage in his development as an
offensive player.
“It’s coming,” Dorrell said. “Each week
he’s getting a little bit more. He’s coming along very
well. We’re trying to test the water with how much he can
handle. It’s kind of give and take seeing how much he can do
and how much he can retain.”
Snead said that it is easier to learn the blocking techniques
that come with being a tight end now that he has had time on the
other side of the line.
“I know to stay low no matter what side you’re
on,” Snead said. “The low man always wins.”
His position coach is more than pleased with his development. In
fact, tight ends coach John Wristen has wanted him on his side of
the ball since he saw him in spring.
“I said I’ll take him right now,” Wristen
said. “Boy, he stepped up and made a big time play (against
Notre Dame.) I’m really excited for him.
“He’s going to continue to develop and help us on
offense. He’s too much of a weapon.”
As for improvement, Snead says he needs to improve in all facets
of his game, something that was echoed by his position coach. For
now, though, he has proven to be well ahead of the learning
curve.
Still, Dorrell is not ready to typecast him as his sure-yardage,
knock-guys-over-for-a-touchdown guy. One catch does not make a
Marcedes Lewis.
“That was his first catch,” Dorrell said.
“I’m not going to make a quick synopsis of what he is
(after one catch.) He had a big-time catch, and he looked pretty
impressive on that run. We’re going to keep developing
him.”
If the redshirt junior can develop into anything like a true
downfield threat, opposing defensive backs, like those of the
Irish, might be seeing more of the sky from a supine position.
OLSON OUT: Quarterback Ben Olson, who stated
that he thought he could make it back for this week’s game
against Washington State, is definitely out for this week. He ran
in practice on Tuesday, but was unable to do much else.
“He’s not a factor for this week,” Dorrell
said. “We’re going to play with Pat Cowan, who is
making his third start.”
ASSORTED INJURIES: Running back Kahlil Bell did
not participate in practice on Tuesday, as expected. Bell suffered
an ankle injury against Notre Dame. Linebacker Aaron Whittington,
also out with an ankle injury, did some light jogging. Cornerback
Michael Norris, who tore his PCL in fall camp, is still out for
this weekend. Linebacker Christian Taylor took the day off, nursing
his hurt ankle. He is expected to practice today. Wide receiver and
punt returner Terrence Austin did some running on Tuesday, but told
Dorrell that he was “75 to 80 percent.” Wide receiver
Ryan Graves has taken over the punt-returning duties in his
absence.