MORGANTOWN - West Virginia's football team isn't playing "Duck, Duck" during the ongoing camp, but there was definitely a goose from head coach Dana Holgorsen this week.

In a line of questioning about projected starting quarterback Geno Smith, Holgorsen on Tuesday was asked the biggest challenge Smith faces this season.

"Not thinking he's got it all figured out, probably," said the coach.

He went on to say, "With Geno, we don't have to do any patting on the back. If he makes a good play, he's going to let everyone know about it. I guess we've got to ground him a little bit."

On Wednesday, Smith, the 6-foot-3, 214-pound junior, responded.

"Me and Coach Holgorsen have a good relationship," said the QB. "He's a straight-forward guy. I'm not sure what was said, but we have a good relationship. I really don't know what was said, so I can't comment on it."

When the comments were summarized, Smith tried again.

"I can't really comment on that," said the player. "That's his statement. I don't know really what was said. I feel like I'm a humble guy. I really can't comment on that aspect."

Goose aside, though, all seems ducky with the WVU offense.

"So far things are going well," Smith said. "We're getting better. We're competing. I feel the offense is definitely progressing. I think everyone is getting on the same page. We're not making as many mental mistakes, and that's always a plus. Overall, I think we're doing good."

Smith remains a solid favorite to be the starting quarterback, but the QB was also told freshman Paul Millard is still gunning for the No. 1 spot. It's something Smith enjoys.

"Always, man," he said. "I mean, when I was a freshman, I had the same mentality to beat Jarrett [Brown] out. No matter if it's possible or not, you should have that mentality. You should never be satisfied.

"Me and Paul have a good relationship. The competitiveness is what it makes it so special. Just having him by my side, not behind me, really helps me out."

But from a true freshman?

"Paul is mature," Smith shrugged. "He understands the game; he has to compete. That's what I expect out of him - or any other quarterback in competition."

Smith said among the receivers in camp, he also likes the way Wake Forest transfer Devon Brown has been competing.

"Devon has been coming along well," Smith said. "He's impressed me and our coaches. He hasn't been perfect - no one has - but he's made a lot of strides, making good catches, running good routes. He understands the system, so I think he's coming along well."

Ditto, said the QB, in relation to the offense.

"We've been repping these plays through the summer," Smith said. "I mean, we started learning in spring. That was the installation period. Now it's all about repetition. I think it's all about timing. Paul and I feel like we've progressed to a different [level]. The receivers are definitely running their routes hard, getting their timing down. The offensive line has been working a lot on their plays. We're coming together as a group. Putting it together as a whole."

What areas still need improvement?

"All areas," Smith said. "We're never satisfied with anything we do, so we're trying to improve on everything."

WVU, by the way, issued a mass email to the entire student body this week, announcing tryouts to join the team as a walk-on. One target is definitely a third QB to ease the practice throwing load of Smith and Millard. Smith, however, isn't worried.

"My arm isn't sore," he said. "We take care of ourselves. We ice after every practice. With two quarterbacks, you have to be conscious of the amount of throws. But we want to work hard and not think about it. We let our coaches back us down."

He said he would, however, back himself off in one situation.

"When my arm falls off," he said.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle.