The boarder war skirmish between the University of Maryland and West Virginia University, saw the Mountaineers coming out and launching bombs to start the game. Down 28-6 with 6:37 left in the 2nd Quarter, the Terrapins put two TD’s on the board to close within 8 at the half.

After half-time, the Terps and Mountaineers traded blows. WVU took a 10 point lead into the 4th Quarter, with MD tying the game with 10 minutes left. The game ended with WVU’s Josh Lambert kicking a 47 yard FG for the 40-37 win.

Maryland falls to 2-1 overall.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Quick Hits:

– A home game against a rival is always an important swing game. The Terps compete against the Mountaineers for many of the same recruits. Getting smacked around at Byrd Stadium for most of the 1st half was deflating for Terps fans. Watching MD come-back was good to see, but the ultimate result is unsatisfying.

– Clint Trickett and the WVU passing offense shredded the Terps. In the 1st half Trickett was 20 of 26 for 307 yards, 3 TD’s, and a pick over the first two quarters. He finished the game completing 76% of his attempts, and throwing for 511 yards.

– WVU was 12 of 24 on 3rd down, 2 of 4 on 4th down, and had 694 total yards on their 108 offensive plays.

– Despite those gaudy overall numbers, did feel the MD defense competed better in the 2nd half.

– Conversely, the Mountaineers did the Terps a favor whenever then went to the ground game. Rushel Shell had a 1st half TD, but only 63 yards (3.3 ypc) on his 19 1st half carries. He finished with 98 yards on his 27 carries.

– Maryland would have killed for that production from their RB’s, as Reid and Ross combined for 7 carries for 4 yards. Nothing today from Wes Brown.

– Sean Davis and Alvin Hill both had multiple moments where they were beat in man coverage. Thought they (particularly Davis) did a good job of coming back from those beats to make plays.

– Will Likely played well, despite giving up a lot of height to the WVU WR’s he was covering. His first half INT was important. In the 4th Quarter, Likely returned a punt 69 yards for a TD, tying the game at 37.

– Alex Twine, Coll Farrand, and Yannick Ngakoue all had some positive moments at LB.

– CJ Brown’s first half was ended when he took a hit to the head on Maryland’s last offensive series. Before that, he was 15 of 25, for 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and 39 yards on the ground. His play was picking up, but the play that stood out most was a missed sure TD to an open Malcolm Culmer. Maryland would score 14 seconds into the 2nd half, as Brown returned to action, and ran 75 yards himself down the sideline for the score. Brown finished the game throwing 19 of 35 for 241 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and 161 yards and a TD on the ground.

– Entering the game after Brown’s injury, Caleb Rowe showed his arm and pocket presence immediately. He completed 2 of his 3 passes, including the TD to Jacquille Veii. One had the feeling that if MD got down beyond 10 points in the 4th, that Rowe’s arm might be needed to take more shots down the field.

– Coming off a nice week in South Florida, Marcus Leak was mostly a non-factor today. He had a case of gator arms in the 1st half.

– In the game thread at BSL, there was clamoring for MD to get Stefon Diggs involved. It was great seeing him get the 77 grab for the TD. That quick hit gave MD some life. What you want to see, is Diggs become a factor every series. 5 catches, 127 yards, and the score. Too often a non-factor, which falls on Brown.

– More needed from Long as well.

– Continuing his transition to WR, Veii battled hard for his TD. The 26 yard grab pulled MD within 8 (after the xp). Veii also had a huge Special Teams play, with his recovery of a muffed WVU punt in the 4th Quarter.

– Brad Craddock has developed into a dependable weapon at PK. He had two FG’s in the 1st half, one from 46, the other from 41. His third FG made it 37-30 in the 4th.

– After MD’s first points, a good KR from WVU, and a late hit from Elvis Dennah allowed the Mountaineers to start with strong field position. WVU would go up 21-3 on the drive, with Kevin White taking a 3rd and 5 reception 44 yards to the house.

– Quinton Jefferson and Matt Robinson were both shaken up in the 1st half. We saw Jefferson return (and added a big 4th Quarter sack), do not believe Robinson did.

– Twice in the 3rd Quarter, WVU had it deep in MD territory. One trip resulted in a fumble recovered by Darius Kilgo, and the other was a 4th and 1 stop at the MD 8.

– After Veii’s recovery of the WVU fumbled punt in the 4th Quarter; MD took over at the Mountaineers 8 yard line. It was very disappointing to come away with just a FG there.

– WVU was attempting to kick the FG for the lead with 4 minutes plus in the 4th, Kilgo came up a huge block.

– Maryland next heads to Syracuse. Last year the Orange won in College Park in a conference game. You would like to see the Terps get revenge going into Conference play the following week at Indiana. Should basically be a pick’em type of game.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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