Mountaineer defense joins the party

[cviller]

By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — At 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, the national radio commentator spoke of West Virginia’s upcoming game with Maryland.
He didn’t miss the opportunity to blast the Mountaineers defense.



From sunup to sundown, it seems, WVU’s defense catches it.
But on Thursday night, while Noel Devine was stealing the offensive show, West Virginia’s defense peeked out from the dark in a 31-14 win over Maryland before 53,107 and an ESPN television audience.

Before the game, there was talk of redemption from the Terrapins, who lost in Morgantown 45-24 last season. There was talk of Ralph Friedgen’s intense study of the Mountaineers. There was the Maryland fans’ Black Out.

Now, much of the talk around the Mountain State — and nationally — will be about Devine, whose intervention could keep WVU’s offense fresh. But the big story in regard to the big WVU picture is Wednesday’s defensive play from the Mountaineers. West Virginia’s fans have to feel better about their team after it limited Maryland to 269 yards at Byrd Stadium. Heading into the game, the Mountaineers were almost giving that much up through the air.

“I was really proud of our defense,’’ said WVU coach Rich Rodriguez. “We did a lot better job on third downs [limiting the Terrapins to 5-of-13 conversions]. We put some pressure on the quarterback. We really tackled well. And against some talented players.

“I have to go back and watch the film, but I think some of our guys had their best games: Johnny Dingle, Mortty Ivy and Marc Magro.’’

They did. And we all know if West Virginia’s defense would just improve, this team could be nearly unstoppable. (Quick timeout here for a recruiting scoop that could help next season. WVU has landed a commitment from what could be a big-time catch in 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior college cornerback Darius Packer of Fort Scott, Kan.)

“I’m proud of the kids,’’ said WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel. “They hung in there. They got knocked around early, but hung in there and did a good job of adjusting.’’

There were many signs of defensive improvement.

With the score tied at 7, WVU experienced a head-scratching, frustrating offensive series. It was one that featured a 44-yard Owen Schmitt carry. But one that fizzled when Dorrell Jalloh couldn’t finish a block on a Steve Slaton 21-yard run. The Mountaineers then went backward and Pat McAfee shanked a field goal attempt left.


Instead of allowing the Terrapins to move afterward, though, a zone blitz worked on third down. Dingle’s sack gave West Virginia possession.
This time, WVU didn’t falter. Pat White hit Darius Reynaud for a 35-yard strike on third-and-11. Slaton kicked on the after-burners for a 22-yard score.

To close out the half, safety Eric Wicks had not one, but two interceptions.

In the second half, while Devine was breaking out, WVU’s defense did likewise.

Dingle made a tackle on a screen to Maryland back Keon Lattimore that eventually led to a Maryland third-and-23. WVU was up 21-7.

Mountaineer cornerback Larry Williams made a fine downfield play on receiver Isaiah Williams that led to a Terrapin incompletion on third-and-7.

Then WVU’s defense teed off. Ivy sacked Steffy from the backside on third-and-three, with Maryland trying desperately to stay in the game.

Late, after a successful Terrapin onside kick, Magro (yes, Marc Magro!) sacked Steffy for a 9-yard loss. The successful Maryland fumble recovery on the kick went for naught.

Oh, and here’s the coup de grace for West Virginia’s defense: Charles Pugh drew a personal foul with 10:29 left in the game. I repeat, he drew a personal foul. He did not commit one. The penalty pushed Maryland back to its own 9.

“Someone told me midway through the fourth [quarter] that Maryland had about 90 yards passing,’’ said WVU secondary coach Tony Gibson. “Obviously they couldn’t get anything going tonight throwing the football. So I was impressed with the guys. I thought they played very hard. When [Maryland players] did catch it, we were hitting them.’’

Perhaps Maryland’s offense was the perfect cure for WVU’s struggling defense. It plodded and tried to control the clock behind a massive offensive line. When that didn’t work, though, there was no Plan B.

WVU’s secondary did give up some late yardage, especially to Maryland’s Danny Oquendo when the game was over. The Terrapins finished with 180 passing yards. But, again, that’s a lot better than the 255.5 WVU had been giving up.

Gibson wore a smile that went from Baltimore to Washington.

“It’s been miserable,’’ he said of the criticism. “We’ve won what, now, 25 out of 28 games? And yet all we hear is how bad our defense is. I don’t understand it. I don’t know where people are going with that.

“Our kids see it. Their families see it. We’re supposed to be getting support. I don’t understand. People have their opinion. They can say and do what they want. But that’s why I was glad to see the kids play well tonight.’’

And he said he believes the performance will translate into confidence.

“No question,’’ Gibson said. “I always thought that was the kids’ hangup. They’d play hard in practice; they’d be focused. And then in the game, I don’t know if they were a little timid or what, but . . .’’

It went out the window — and down the field. On Thursday, though, West Virginia’s defense was solid.

“Our performance can still get better,’’ Ivy said. “There’s a lot of doubt out there. People always talk about the defense. We can’t worry about that, though. We have to get better every week. Make plays on the field.’’

And let the late night play take care of the early morning talk.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to [e-mail] or call 348-4827.