LeGree and Turnovers
Mark LeGree set a school record and led the nation with 10 interceptions last season.
So far this year, LeGree, a junior safety, has been victim of a shutout. He doesn’t have a single interception through five games.
“I’m making plays, but I just haven’t had many opportunities,” LeGree said. “It is a little frustrating, but I won’t let it get to me.
“I know the 10 interception thing won’t happen again. I’m just trying to make the most out of what opportunities I do get and not worry about the number.”
LeGree knows that last year’s incredible number was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, but a few would be nice.
“I’m still waiting,” LeGree said.
There’s still time. In fact, seven of LeGree’s 10 interceptions last season came in a five-game span, from games six through 10.
As a team, the Mountaineers haven’t been on the receiving end of many turnovers this season. They have four interceptions and zero fumble recoveries through five games.
“I think it’s more of a coincidental thing,” LeGree said. “You just can’t always get the turnovers. Maybe if we tackle better, we’ll get more fumbles, but a lot of it is just how well the other team is protecting the ball.”
Coach Jerry Moore of the Mountaineers said: “I think it’s just the way things have unfolded for us. We had two or three pretty tough ballgames against teams that don’t turn the ball over very often. I think if either East Carolina or McNeese had turned the ball over a couple of times, we’d probably have won those ballgames. But we just haven’t created turnovers and people just haven’t turned it over, haven’t made very many mistakes.”
Neither have the Mountaineers. They turned the ball over just twice in their first four games, before being hindered by two turnovers last Saturday against N.C. Central.