Some comments on an overall good day at Morgantown:
Okay we lost but remember this was the #8 team in the country. To me it was unbelievable that Tavon Austin was able to catch 13 passes for 179 yards and 3 TDs. He has to be just an incredible talent because to do this when the whole world knows he is getting the ball makes little sense. The sting of the recruitment loss of Tavon 4 years ago finally will come to an end as his Senior year is here. I do believe that Randy will not let this kind of local talent in Maryland slip away.
But now let’s get to the great news. The play of the day did not belong to Tavon, (who by the way said he never heard of Stefon –yea right) but by our #1 Stefon Diggs in the 3rd quarter. Stefon weaved through the Mountaineer linebackers and secondary like they weren’t there. I was sitting at the game with 1961 Terrapin offensive end Tom Rae who was pleading to get Diggs more touches. Stefan finished the game with 3 catches for 113 yards!!!! We must ge the ball in his hands more often.
Perry Hills continues to improve. He finished the day with 20-29 for 305 yards and 3 TD passes. By the way he was brutally sacked 5 times, but the former All State wrestler took the beating and got up and responded. The offensive line and support in the backfield must pick up their play or Perry is bound for injury.
Coach Stewart schemed the defense into just about shutting down the run and only a few great plays by Tavon saved the Mountaineers from upset city.
Brandon Ross gained 52 yards on 20 carries but I believe the best isyet to come for this young man. I liked the staff used all 4 running backs. Albert Reid was certainly much stronger then in his debut effort against W&M.
The whole football experience in Morgantown is something to behold. The town seems to be in the middle of nowhere yet 65,000 strong showed up wearing colors today. The 12th man effect was even recognized by Stefon. When the game was over and by the way very few people left–the audio in Milan Puskar Stadium played Country Roads. The entire crowd belted out the song and the left the stadium to begin the wait til next Saturday’s game. Yes I was impressed. The 20 minute walk to our car began with a climb up 162 steps—I was drenched and could barely breathe by the time we reached the car.
If the Terps continue this effort, cut down the mistakes, and find a way to get Stefon more touches ACC victories await us this year.
freddy from boca
md has 14 true freshman in their 2 deep depth chart. they need experience which takes some time. md’s coaching staff has to do a better job putting players in a position to be successful. bruce you say.. “Coach Stewart schemed the defense into just about shutting down the run”.. that makes no sense to me because wva is a passing team. which means 2 things in this case. one..put pressure on the qb. two. tavon austin is by far and away their number threat which means you must control him, yet he caught 13 passes. if you know he’s the guy how can he catch 13 passes. to me that’s coaching. diggs is a true talent yet he caught only 3 passes. tell’s me the coaching staff hasn’t figured out a way to get the ball into his hands more often. quick outs like which will set up a pump fake and diggs turning up field. put him in motion. use him in quick bubble screens., reverses. quick slants over the middle. this game was very winnable. we’re just short in experience, depth and short on some creative thinking by the coaching staff. one thing edsall has done was to get the kids to play hard throughout. it’s tough to beat a team when you fumble too much, don’t wrap up runners and blow coverage assignments, and that’s on the players…but things are on the upswing and fans should be encouraged. unfortunately it’s a loss but with a little more experience and a little better coaching these games will be victories.
· 11/12/2019
freddy from boca
by the way i thought the new uniforms were kinda drab and dull. did like the white shoes. md has great colors in red gold black and white. these uniforms were too plain. that said wva uniforms were terrible looking. looked like a semi pro team that couldn’t afford good stuff. it seems companies like nike and under armor think making a variety of different looking uniforms is a good idea. not a good idea when the finished product is drab. drab drab drab drab drab
· 11/12/2019
Mricklen
Difference between the big boys and others is speed.
You can only compete so long, and then speed wins out. We are getting there, but still some recruiting to do.
Most thought game would be a blowout except for Bruce, of course.
Very competitive and watchable team. But with Clemson and FSU ahead the tests keep coming.
Diggs is all that was advertised, and yes he needs to be incorporated more.
Seems forever since we have had a legitimate running game. Hard to slow down the game without one!
· 11/12/2019