MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — If not for bad luck and a bad knee befalling Quondarius Qualls, this week and perhaps this season might have signaled an easing-in for West Virginia linebacker Charlie Benton.
Instead, Benton has understood since March — since Qualls tore an ACL during spring practice — that he must expedite his readiness. The newcomer from Butler (Kan.) Community College) is slated to start at the Sam spot Saturday when the No. 17 Mountaineers face Tennessee.
An encouraging preseason reinforced the coaches’ confidence in Benton.
“He loves to play football,” said defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.