MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- For the second time in as many days, West Virginia's football team got a boost with the unexpected resurgence of an injured player.

Barely 24 hours after saying senior middle linebacker Reed Williams would start Saturday's 3:30 p.m. season-opener against Villanova at Mountaineer Field, Coach Bill Stewart said Tuesday cornerback Brantwon Bowser is likely to play as well.

Bowser, a transfer from Phoenix Community College, tore his ACL during spring practice and was expected to miss the season.

"He's way ahead of schedule," Stewart said. "He's going to play he's so far ahead of schedule."

Bowser had surgery April 11. In 2006, the American Journal of Sports Medicine released a study of 31 NFL running backs and receivers who had ACL tears between 1998 and 2002. Seven of the 31 never played again. Those who returned needed between nine and 12 months and were one-third less productive.

"I don't know how it happened," Bowser said. "I was working out all summer after surgery and was in the training room as much as I possibly could be. I guess my body just heals fast."

Bowser couldn't contain a smile Tuesday, which was a decidedly different demeanor than he had right after the surgery.

He arrived at WVU in January and the coaching staff was hoping he could use the early enrollment to vie for immediate playing time. He hurt his knee running a "W drill" and his progress was stopped before he ever got started.

Bowser figured his first season was lost.

"I called him into my office and said, 'I'm so mad at you,'" Stewart said. "He said, 'Why?' I said, 'It happened. Now let's get over it. You've got to get going.'"

Bowser understood the lecture.

"I knew coming in from a junior college the coaches want you to try and come in and be prepared at the jump," he said. "I knew I wasn't as focused as I should be and hearing that from Coach Stew made me pick it up."

Stewart received reports Bowser was waiting for the training staff in the morning and at night to cram in as much rehabilitation as he could. Never, though, did Bowser anticipate this.

"I really didn't, but I kept telling myself to work hard and not give up on getting back for this season," he said. "I thought I could probably be back by at least the second or third game."

He had his first checkup last month and was told he was 75 percent. He passed his second test "with flying colors" and was cleared to return to practice. Bowser, who played one semester at PCC and has four years to play three seasons for WVU, could still take a medical redshirt within the first four games if the knee doesn't respond appropriately.

He went through a full practice Sunday, had no trouble on Monday's off day and was fine again after another live practice Tuesday.

"I was a little worried at first, but I tried not to think about my knee too much," he said. "I tried to pace myself, but my leg felt a little heavy (Sunday) as the day went on. I'm starting to pick up some things and it seems like it's coming back pretty fast. But I feel fine. Nothing's wrong."

Stewart will keep close watch during and after practice and has no definite plan for Saturday, but hopes to incorporate the 6-foot, 180-pound Bowser more and more as the season progresses.

"That cat can go," Stewart said. "If he's in there, he's a nickel back, a dime back. He adds a whole lot back there."