Coming off of a Top 25 National finish last year, in conjunction with the hiring of Randy Edsall, the Under Armour connection / uniforms, and the talents of players like Danny O’Brien and Kenny Tate; an opportunity exists for University of Maryland Football to continue to receive additional attention as this 2011 season progresses. A win over the West Virginia – the prohibitive favorite in the Big East conference – this weekend can only help the Terps in that regard.
The Mountaineers have started the year with wins over Marhsall, and Norfolk State and will enter College Park ranked 18th in the Country.
Last year, the Mountaineers beat the Terps 31-17 in Morgantown. That was the 5th consecutive win in the series for WVU, who holds a 24-21-2 All-time lead in a series dating back to 1919.
During the past two seasons, West Virginia has gone 9-4 both years. Taking a look at those losses, we see the following:
2010:
@LSU (lost 20-14): Current MD Offensive Coordinator Gary Crowton, was the OC at LSU last year. LSU had 36 rushing attempts, passed for 80 yards. LSU limited WVU to 177 total yards, did not have a sack.
Syracuse (lost 19-14): WVU’s Geno Smith was sacked 5 times, and threw 3 picks. Syracuse passed for 63 yards, and had 38 rushing attempts.
@Connecticut (lost 16-13): Current MD Head Coach Randy Edsall comes into this game having beat WVU just last year. UConn had 41 rushing attempts. Huskies sacked Smith once. UConn threw for 166 yards, and was out-gained 414 to 278 overall.
NCST (lost 23-7 in Champs Sports Bowl): Wolfpack had 36 rushing attempts. WVU sacked twice.
2009:
@Auburn (lost 40-31): WVU had 500+ yards of offense, but allowed 3 sacks and was picked 5 times. Tigers ran the ball 41 times.
@South Florida (lost 30-19): USF ran the ball 40 times, and had 421 yards of offense. WVU sacked once, picked once.
@Cincinnati (lost 24-21): Bearcats ran the ball 30 times, and had 437 yards of offense. WVU sacked twice.
FSU (lost 33-21 in Gator Bowl): Bobby Bowden ended his career with the Seminoles running the ball 46 times. FSU had 5 sacks, and a pick.
Thoughts:
I would have expected to see West Virginia sacked more often in their losses the past two years, but you can not say pressure on their QB has been a consistent attribute in these WVU losses. You can say that the opposing teams that have had recent success against the Mountaineers have been committed to running the ball, and attempting to keep the West Virginia offense on the sidelines.
Prior to the start of the season, Steven Lassan from Athlon Sports told us, “West Virginia is Athlon’s pick to win the Big East in 2011. The Mountaineers should have an exciting offense with the hire of Dana Holgorsen and the return of quarterback Geno Smith. The West Virginia defense finished as one of the best in the nation last year, but must replace seven starters. Even though there are losses on defense, coordinator Jeff Casteel is an underrated coach and should keep that unit at a high level.”
In the Big East’s Annual Media Pre-Season Poll, West Virgina received 21 of 24 1st place votes to be named the runaway Conference favorite.
Stats / Players of Note:
QB, Geno Smith: 620 yards, 66.7% completion percentage, 6 TD’s, 0 picks, 2 sacks
RB, Vernard Roberts: 24 carries, 74 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 reception for 6 yards
RB, Andrew Buie: 19 carries, 30 yards, 4 receptions
WR, Devon Brown: 8 receptions, 151 yards, 1 TD, long 55
WR, Tavon Austin (Baltimore native): 9 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD, long 45, 3 KR’s avg. 48 yards per return, 6 PR’s avg. 22 yards per return.
WR, Stedman Bailey: 7 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD, long 40
WR, Ivan McCartney: 9 receptions, 110 yards, long 39
RB, Dustin Garrison: 5 receptions, 60 yards, long 36
WR, Brad Starks: 2 receptions, 41 yards, long 30
WR,Willie Milhouse: 1 reception, 29 yards
PK,Tyle Bitancourt: 4 of 5 on FG’s, long 43 (Was 1st team Big East as Freshman, struggled last year, finishing 10 of 17)
DE, Bruce Irvin: 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack (14 sacks last year)
CB, Keith Dandy: Had 6 picks as a Jr. last year, was 2nd team All-America according to Sports Illustrated.
Like Edsall at Maryland, West Virginia is under new leadership. Dana Holgorsen was the Offensive Coordinator of a prolific Oklahoma State offense, and originally hired as the Mountaineers Offensive Coordinator / Head Coach in waiting at the end of last year. Holgorsen became the Head Coach this past June (a year earlier than expected) when WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck determined the relationship between Holgorsen and former Coach Bill Stewart could not continue as is.
Prior to his time at Oklahoma State, Holgorsen running offenses at Houston, and interestingly – Texas Tech under former Red Raiders Head Coach Mike Leach.
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.