Millard Maturing Into Confident Quarterback - WVU Football, WVU Basketball, News - Mountaineer Sports

Many eyes around the country will be on West Virginia University quarterback Geno Smith. However, a successful season may lie on the arm of a guy who is just one play away from running the offense.

WVU backup quarterback Paul Millard is taking his job very seriously going into the 2012 season. He is aware of how close he is to holding the keys to the flashy car that is the WVU offense.

Millard is doing what he can now to make sure he is ready, if called upon, to run the offense.

"Yesterday I actually went into the film room and turned on some spring clips from last year when I first came in and then watched some from this year," Millard said with a smile. "It's night and day and things have gotten better. It's always good to see yourself progressing and that I have gotten better on tape. I feel like I have matured a lot."

Maturity is perhaps the biggest difference in Millard this season. He is also more confident, likely a side effect of being more mature.

With maturity, confidence and experience comes leadership. Millard is beginning to put the whole package together. Those ingredients will be needed to lead a Dana Holgorsen offense.

"I want that second string offense to be very successful starting fall camp," Millard stated. "I don't want to get out there and have the one's look good and have the two's come in and fall behind. I want that second string offense looking just as crisp as that first string offense."

Millard understands that is not something that just happens in August once practice begins. He is taking it upon himself to get the second string offense ready throughout 7-on-7's this summer.

"It's good to get out there twice a week with guys and especially the new guys who you haven't worked with and getting timing down with receivers," Millard said. "It's good to get out there and throw it around a bit and just work."

Millard has also matured in a way that he understands he is not just preparing for this fall when he is slated to backup Geno Smith. He is also preparing for bigger things down the road.

"Geno is going to be gone after this year and there will be a quarterback battle next spring," Millard said. "Quarterback is a guy who has to be a leader on this team and I am looking to step into that role. That doesn't start when Geno leaves, it starts right now."