Post by elp525 on Sept 16, 2011 5:18:23 GMT -5
Friday, September 16 2011
Chip Fontanazza
Morgantown
If you ask anyone at the University of Maryland about the West Virginia game, they’ll probably say it’s their biggest rivalry. It’s a game that’s played just about every year and there are many things that factor into making this a rivalry. First, is the series record, WVU leads 23-21-2. Second, is the fact that West Virginia recruits a lot of players from that area. Third, it’s a game a lot of people follow because of the proximity of the schools.
There are also a total ten players from the Maryland/Washington D.C. area on the WVU roster and in the 2012 recruiting class there are five commitments from that area. That has also added to this rivalry. The location has really become a hot bed for the Mountaineers and all of those players will return to their home state on Saturday.
“It’s exciting,” said freshman running back Vernard Roberts. “This is a game I’ve been looking forward to since last year, but at the same time it’s still football. We have to go out there and execute.”
“It’s another game, but it’s where I’m from. I’m really excited,” said junior safety Terence Garvin. “I’m excited to play around my way. My parents are coming [from] right down the street.”
Players like Garvin and Roberts will face some opponents they’ve played against in high school and they’ve known their whole life. Maryland sophomore tight end Dave Steinbaugh and Garvin have known each other since they were nine years old. The veteran safety has also played against senior linebacker Kenny Tate.
It’s certainly going to be a unique experience for Garvin and the rest of the Maryland/ Washington D.C. natives. Besides playing against their former friends and teammates, the players are really looking forward to playing in front of their family and friends.
“I got a lot more people I was in high school, like my coach is coming to see me play, different people that might not be able to come down here all of the time,” said Garvin.
“People have just been blowing my phone up,” joked Roberts. “Sometimes I just ignore the call because my family has been just calling me nonstop asking me about tickets and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun just to see them there."
Some of the Maryland natives admitted during Tuesday’s interviews that they weren’t as excited as the rest of the team. The Terrapins recruited fullback Ryan Clarke (pictured right), but they gave him the cold shoulder late in the recruiting process. He seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder because of that.
“Before I committed to West Virginia I wanted to go there, but things happened where they didn’t want me,” said Clarke.
“I got a couple of teammates and guys I played against in high school,” continued Clarke. “It’s no different. They’re on Maryland now and they’re on the opposing team. I have nothing else to say about it.”
And just like Clarke, the Mountaineers will have keep their mouths shut and do their playing on the field.
Chip Fontanazza
Morgantown
If you ask anyone at the University of Maryland about the West Virginia game, they’ll probably say it’s their biggest rivalry. It’s a game that’s played just about every year and there are many things that factor into making this a rivalry. First, is the series record, WVU leads 23-21-2. Second, is the fact that West Virginia recruits a lot of players from that area. Third, it’s a game a lot of people follow because of the proximity of the schools.
There are also a total ten players from the Maryland/Washington D.C. area on the WVU roster and in the 2012 recruiting class there are five commitments from that area. That has also added to this rivalry. The location has really become a hot bed for the Mountaineers and all of those players will return to their home state on Saturday.
“It’s exciting,” said freshman running back Vernard Roberts. “This is a game I’ve been looking forward to since last year, but at the same time it’s still football. We have to go out there and execute.”
“It’s another game, but it’s where I’m from. I’m really excited,” said junior safety Terence Garvin. “I’m excited to play around my way. My parents are coming [from] right down the street.”
Players like Garvin and Roberts will face some opponents they’ve played against in high school and they’ve known their whole life. Maryland sophomore tight end Dave Steinbaugh and Garvin have known each other since they were nine years old. The veteran safety has also played against senior linebacker Kenny Tate.
It’s certainly going to be a unique experience for Garvin and the rest of the Maryland/ Washington D.C. natives. Besides playing against their former friends and teammates, the players are really looking forward to playing in front of their family and friends.
“I got a lot more people I was in high school, like my coach is coming to see me play, different people that might not be able to come down here all of the time,” said Garvin.
“People have just been blowing my phone up,” joked Roberts. “Sometimes I just ignore the call because my family has been just calling me nonstop asking me about tickets and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun just to see them there."
Some of the Maryland natives admitted during Tuesday’s interviews that they weren’t as excited as the rest of the team. The Terrapins recruited fullback Ryan Clarke (pictured right), but they gave him the cold shoulder late in the recruiting process. He seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder because of that.
“Before I committed to West Virginia I wanted to go there, but things happened where they didn’t want me,” said Clarke.
“I got a couple of teammates and guys I played against in high school,” continued Clarke. “It’s no different. They’re on Maryland now and they’re on the opposing team. I have nothing else to say about it.”
And just like Clarke, the Mountaineers will have keep their mouths shut and do their playing on the field.
