West Virginia coach needs a history lesson

Published September 14, 2010 4:00am ET



In a teleconference on Monday, West Virginia coach Bill Stewart called Saturday’s opponent, Maryland, a “nemesis” of his Mountaineers. Maybe Stewart needs to adjust his headset. It seems to be cutting off circulation to his brain.

The last four times the teams met (2004-07), when Stewart was a West Virginia assistant, the Mountaineers prevailed, each time with a dominating running attack. Here are the games:

2007 » In a Thursday night game in College Park, Steve Slaton (26 carries, 144 yards) and Noel Devine (5-136) were the catalysts in a 31-14 West Virginia victory.

2006 » On a Thursday night in Morgantown, Slaton (21-195) and Pat White (12-85) ran roughshod over the Terps in a 45-24 victory.

2005 » In a 31-19 victory in College Park, fullback Owen Schmidt (6-80) led a backfield by committee that outrushed Maryland 301-50. Schmidt, primarily a blocking back, haunted the Terps in his three games against them, rushing 18 times for 163 yards.

2004 » Kay-Jay Harris (32-142) did plenty of damage in a 19-16 victory in overtime.

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