WVU This Week
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Coaches

Players To Watch

    Maryland   (11 Starters - 7 Offense - 4 Defense)

    West Virginia   (14 Starters - 7 Offense - 7 Defense)

The Game

     Game number two for the Mountaineers in 1998 gives them a chance to defend yet another border of the state. The opponent to the east doesn't present anywhere near the challenge that Ohio State did in game one, however, Maryland's performance in their first two games certainly should be raising a few eyebrows of the Mountaineer players and coaches. Preseason, this looked as close to a game where you simply show up and win as the Mountaineers have ever had. Maryland was coming off a disappointing 2-9 season and was only returning 11 starters, none at key skill positions. To make matters worse, the words coming out of College Park were "freshmen" and sophomores". Truly, not words that go along with "re-loading" or even "re-building" but more like "starting all over again".

     But Maryland has truly been a surprise in their first two outings, defeating Division 1-A James Madison 23-15 as expected but playing ACC rival Virginia much tougher than expected this past week 31-19. The Virginia game was Maryland's to loose and they showed they could do just that, being victim to mistakes and turnovers. Yet, it wasn't until the final 7 minutes when Virginia scored its final touchdown that the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Terps performance against #12 Virginia should show them that they are doing the right things, possibly faster than expected.

     On the other side of the field will be the Mountaineers, a team that started the season ranked #12 and still languishes at #20 in spite of not winning a game this season. It's time to get off the proverbial pot and do something. The free ride is over for the Mountaineers.


Analyzing Maryland

     Terms like young, inexperienced, and rebuilding quickly come to mind when you mention Maryland. Twenty two of the 45 players that saw action against Virginia were freshmen and sophomores. This is a team that is not only young in player talent but young in coaching talent as Ron Vanderlinden enters only into year two at Maryland. And along with the new coach and talent came a new offensive philosphy. Once known for it's prolific passing attack afforded by the run and shoot offense, Maryland has become a more conventional offensive team. Maybe "starting all over again" is a better way to describe this team.

     Defensively, Maryland will be lead by two fine linebackers by the names of Barton and Ogle, the top two returning tacklers in the ACC and both Butkus candidates for 1998. They are the veterans on the defense, being two of only 4 seniors in the two deep mix and the only two returning senior starters. In front of them are some talented youngsters, anchored by Delbert Cowsette, a 6-1, 270 lb NT. The defensive secondary is an entirely new cast this year, lead by 5-8, 175 lb CB Lynde Washington.

     The offensive line is anchored by veteran tackles John Feugill and Brad Messina. In the backfield, the Terps return LaMont Jordan who splits time with Harold Westley. Sophomore Matt Kalapinski has had early success at FB. Junior Ken Mastrole won the quarterback battle and has spent far too much time on his back as the young offensive line has given up 11 sacks in just two games. While throwing for 337 yards in his first two outings, he has yet to connect for a touchdown.


Analyzing West Virginia

     We'll not spend much time on this as you're probably reading this because you're a Mountaineer fan and are already familiar with this team. We will point out that due to some key injuries suffered in the Ohio State game that the defense will take on a somewhat different appearance.

     Rush Linebacker Gary Stills suffered another broken kneecap against Ohio State and will be out for several weeks. He will be replaced by sophomore Mark Thurston who is more in the mold of former RLB Canute Curtis than the speedy Stills. The other costly loss is at FS where backup Ricky Sherrod suffered a season ending ACL injury and will be replaced by senior Dave Lightcap. While on the subject of injuries, OT Brock Holland suffered an ankle injury but will most likely play as will true freshman Antonio Brown who suffered a similar injury. Brown probably won't see time at his position of WR but will most likely be a factor on return teams.

     We can't tell you the status of DT Charlton Forbes who was hospitalized with a gall bladder ailment after the game and hasn't been cleared to practice yet. If Forbes doesn't return, true freshman Jerome Taylor (6-4, 300#) from Lewisburg, WV will be pressed into a backup roll behind Kevin Landholt. This could be the most costly of the injuries of the OSU game.


For Maryland To Win

     We'd like to say "NO WAY, NO HOW" but this depends on how good this group of Mountaineers is. Obviously, Maryland will be looking at the OSU tape and will try to do everything positive the Buckeyes did to shut down the Mountaineers offense. It won't be quite as easy to mimmick the efforts on the offensive side of the ball. You can't change an entire offense for one game.

Matt Kalapinski     Maryland needs to keep Amos inside the tackles. They don't have the speed and experience to handle him outside like OSU had. Until WVU shows that they have a deep threat, Maryland needs to play their DB's short to contain Amos and defend the short passing game.

     Offensively, Maryland needs vast improvement. We'll be amazed if they get as many offensive chances as they had against Virginia (64) so their per snap total has to increase. Fumbles and Int's hurt them against Virginia and will have the same result against West Virginia. If we were their offensive coordinator we'd be stressing the "still unproven" aspects of the Mountaineer defense. They appear to have the horses in Jordon, Westley and Matt Kalapinski (shown at right) to run up the middle. And we'd definately be going deep, particularly when #3 journies out onto the field.


For West Virginia To Win

     Truly this is a game for West Virginia to lose. If this was a top 12 or whatever team, the loss to Ohio State and subsequent fall to #20 means nothing. Some key losses to personnel will hurt but a top 15 team can compenstate for that against an opponent like Maryland.

     Offensively, the Mountaineers need to do what they couldn't against Ohio State. This team's success will not rest solely on the shoulders of Amos Zereoue. It's just too easy to put 8 men in the box and shut Amos down, particularly when we're not using a FB for blocking. So the Mountaineers will have to put the ball in the air early and often. Maryland doesn't have the speed or talent that OSU had in the defensive backfield so hopefully the Mountaineers will go deep on this team.

     Defensively, the Mountaineers need to step up to cover the injuries. They need better play between the tackles, and that includes the middle linebackers. Plants, Kayden and Green need to read blocking schemes better and get to the right positions. The defensive secondary won't have the pressure they had against Ohio State, either on the opposing QB (due to the lack of Gary Stills) or from the bevy of talented receivers that OSU had. Still, there is plenty of room for improvement in this "suspect" area. If this team is to have success this year it will depend on improved defensive play from the secondary.

The season starts now

     Well, that's what the Mountaineer players and coaches would have you believe. We were disappointed that they seemed to take the loss to Ohio State so easliy, pointing to the fact that they can win out and still do well. We'll agree on this later point but want to point out that a "slow start" in these next three games of the "new" season won't cut it. This team lacks depth and experience and needs to get some valuable playing time for some young kids real quick. If this is a top 15 team, they'll realize this and put this game away early. If this is a close game or one that requires the starters to play well into the late third and fourth quarters then this is going to be a disappointing year for this team.

     We don't know much about the Virginia team but quotes after the game from their players stated they didn't take Maryland serious enough. While this may have been the reason for the close score, it should not be a problem for the Mountaineers. They should have seen from this game what Maryland is capable of doing if you're not prepared for them 100%.

     Overall, the outlook for the Mountaineers has taken on a much different complexion in the last two weeks. This year isn't simply going to be one impossible game against Ohio State and a tough game against Syracuse. Virginia Tech is going to be a tough game, especially down there, and Miami has done nothing to show they aren't to be taken seriously. Throw in a 2-0 Boston College team that handed the Mountaineers a loss last year, and improved Maryland, Tulsa and Rutgers teams and this has turned this "dream" schedule into a very competitive one. Yes, you only play one game at a time but how you play this game affects how you play your next game. The season is HERE. This is the only game on the schedule. The Mountaineers need to win this game, win it soundly, and prove to themselves they are up to the task ahead of them.

Our Prediction

     We still like this group of kids and think they will get better with each and every game. We don't think this game will end up being the easy victory we are hoping for but believe that some of the young kids will get some valuable playing experience.

 

 

( Drum Roll Please )


     

     

     
    West Virginia 38
    Maryland 17

     Check back Monday to see our post game comments.

Let's Goooooooo Mountaineers!!


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