Post by rainman on Sept 13, 2007 6:24:42 GMT -5
Border-state rivalry
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— West Virginia (2-0) and Maryland (2-0) clash for the 46th time here tonight with a lot at stake for both football teams.
A sellout crowd of 51,500 is assured for the 7:45 p.m. kickoff in Byrd Stadium. The battle of border-state rivals will be televised nationally by ESPN.
The No. 4-ranked Mountaineers, favored by 16 1/2 points, will be trying for an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory over the Terps in a tight series WVU leads by 22-21-2. But Maryland is itching to avenge last year’s 45-28 loss at Morgantown and crack the nation’s Top 25.
“In the past, this always has seemed to be a launching pad or springboard to a pretty good season for the winning team,” WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We still made some mistakes in the last three meetings, but executed better and won.”
UM coach Ralph Friedgen said Wednesday, “We’ve got a big one ahead of us. But we’re excited about the challenge. The toughest thing is to simulate the speed with which they run their offense and the speed they have.”
Josh Portis, a sophomore transfer from Florida, portrayed WVU quarterback Patrick White on the Terps’ scout team in this week’s practices because of his quickness and speed.
This obviously should be the toughest test so far for both teams. UM warmed up with victories over Villanova 31-14 and Florida International 26-10. In the process, the Terps were No. 1 in the country in average time of possession (36-24 minutes).
Neither opponent got more than 51 offensive plays, as a result.
West Virginia averaged 68 plays per game in beating Western Michigan, 62-24, and Marshall, 48-23. The Mountaineers are averaging 55.0 points and 526.5 yards per game.
“This is a big rivalry game,” WVU offensive coordinator Calvin Magee said. “But we’ve been there before.”
Trying to contain All-America tailback Steve Slaton and versatile quarterback Patrick White are the major tasks for the Maryland defense, which is allowing only 12.0 points and 175.0 yards per game.
Slaton has rushed 40 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns and caught three passes for 63 yards and one score. White has completed 23 of 36 passes for 342 yards and four TDs and added 222 yards and three scores on 26 keeper plays.
Friedgen said, “They’re great players. They’re very fast. When they run the option play, one’s going one direction and one’s going the other direction. If you just stick your nose in on Slaton, White’s going to be out the back door and you’ve got problems.
“They’ve got (fullback) Owen Schmitt, too, who can run the ball right down your throat. They have speed and power. They’re throwing the ball better this year, which gives them the total package.”
Schmitt, who had about 60 plays against Marshall, will be performing before relatives and friends. His home is in Fairfax, Va., just a 40-minute drive from College Park.
“I got invited to a game here once,” he recalled. “It’d be nice to finish undefeated against Maryland because things just didn’t work out or whatever (recruiting-wise). But I don’t have any hard feelings.”
He has carried the ball just seven times for a net 26 yards. But he has excelled as a blocker for both running and pass plays.
Wide receiver Darius Reynaud has caught 14 passes for 226 yards and two TDs. He’s off to the best start of his career, and he doesn’t mind being overshadowed by White and Slaton.
He said, “That doesn’t bother me. I just like to be out there and play football with the team.”
“They’re always big, strong guys,” Schmitt said of the Terps. “They’re a very physical team with lots of speed. They’re going to be a really tough opponent — probably the toughest we’ve seen so far.”
Jordan Steffy, 6-1, 210-pound junior, engineers the Maryland attack. He has completed 37 of 50 passes for 309 yards. He also has a net 26 yards rushing and scored once.
Tailback Keon Lattimore, 5-11, 223-pound senior, has rushed 38 times for a net 217 yards and five touchdowns. His backup, Lance Ball, has a net 96 yards and scored once in 23 attempts.
Darrius Heyward-Bey is UM’s leading receiver. He has 10 catches for 129 yards. Lattimore is next with eight for 37 yards, followed by Ball with six for 51 yards.
Linebacker Reed Williams is WVU’s top tackler with 23. Linebackers Marc Magro and Mortty Ivy have 15 each.
Erin Henderson has a team-high 21 tackles for UM.
The Mountaineers won’t play again until Saturday, Sept. 22, against East Carolina at home. The Terps visit Wake Forest that same day.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— West Virginia (2-0) and Maryland (2-0) clash for the 46th time here tonight with a lot at stake for both football teams.
A sellout crowd of 51,500 is assured for the 7:45 p.m. kickoff in Byrd Stadium. The battle of border-state rivals will be televised nationally by ESPN.
The No. 4-ranked Mountaineers, favored by 16 1/2 points, will be trying for an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory over the Terps in a tight series WVU leads by 22-21-2. But Maryland is itching to avenge last year’s 45-28 loss at Morgantown and crack the nation’s Top 25.
“In the past, this always has seemed to be a launching pad or springboard to a pretty good season for the winning team,” WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We still made some mistakes in the last three meetings, but executed better and won.”
UM coach Ralph Friedgen said Wednesday, “We’ve got a big one ahead of us. But we’re excited about the challenge. The toughest thing is to simulate the speed with which they run their offense and the speed they have.”
Josh Portis, a sophomore transfer from Florida, portrayed WVU quarterback Patrick White on the Terps’ scout team in this week’s practices because of his quickness and speed.
This obviously should be the toughest test so far for both teams. UM warmed up with victories over Villanova 31-14 and Florida International 26-10. In the process, the Terps were No. 1 in the country in average time of possession (36-24 minutes).
Neither opponent got more than 51 offensive plays, as a result.
West Virginia averaged 68 plays per game in beating Western Michigan, 62-24, and Marshall, 48-23. The Mountaineers are averaging 55.0 points and 526.5 yards per game.
“This is a big rivalry game,” WVU offensive coordinator Calvin Magee said. “But we’ve been there before.”
Trying to contain All-America tailback Steve Slaton and versatile quarterback Patrick White are the major tasks for the Maryland defense, which is allowing only 12.0 points and 175.0 yards per game.
Slaton has rushed 40 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns and caught three passes for 63 yards and one score. White has completed 23 of 36 passes for 342 yards and four TDs and added 222 yards and three scores on 26 keeper plays.
Friedgen said, “They’re great players. They’re very fast. When they run the option play, one’s going one direction and one’s going the other direction. If you just stick your nose in on Slaton, White’s going to be out the back door and you’ve got problems.
“They’ve got (fullback) Owen Schmitt, too, who can run the ball right down your throat. They have speed and power. They’re throwing the ball better this year, which gives them the total package.”
Schmitt, who had about 60 plays against Marshall, will be performing before relatives and friends. His home is in Fairfax, Va., just a 40-minute drive from College Park.
“I got invited to a game here once,” he recalled. “It’d be nice to finish undefeated against Maryland because things just didn’t work out or whatever (recruiting-wise). But I don’t have any hard feelings.”
He has carried the ball just seven times for a net 26 yards. But he has excelled as a blocker for both running and pass plays.
Wide receiver Darius Reynaud has caught 14 passes for 226 yards and two TDs. He’s off to the best start of his career, and he doesn’t mind being overshadowed by White and Slaton.
He said, “That doesn’t bother me. I just like to be out there and play football with the team.”
“They’re always big, strong guys,” Schmitt said of the Terps. “They’re a very physical team with lots of speed. They’re going to be a really tough opponent — probably the toughest we’ve seen so far.”
Jordan Steffy, 6-1, 210-pound junior, engineers the Maryland attack. He has completed 37 of 50 passes for 309 yards. He also has a net 26 yards rushing and scored once.
Tailback Keon Lattimore, 5-11, 223-pound senior, has rushed 38 times for a net 217 yards and five touchdowns. His backup, Lance Ball, has a net 96 yards and scored once in 23 attempts.
Darrius Heyward-Bey is UM’s leading receiver. He has 10 catches for 129 yards. Lattimore is next with eight for 37 yards, followed by Ball with six for 51 yards.
Linebacker Reed Williams is WVU’s top tackler with 23. Linebackers Marc Magro and Mortty Ivy have 15 each.
Erin Henderson has a team-high 21 tackles for UM.
The Mountaineers won’t play again until Saturday, Sept. 22, against East Carolina at home. The Terps visit Wake Forest that same day.
