Terps try to avoid sixth straight loss to neighbor without suspended McCree, Tyler It used to be a give-and-take rivalry. But five straight losses to West Virginia have exacted a toll on Maryland.
The Terrapins have been burned on the field, in the stands and on the recruiting trail, with the Mountaineers demonstrating their superiority by every measure. As West Virginia was building a national brand, Maryland’s stature was shrinking.
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Then came the ultimate indignity: The Mountaineers raided the Terps’ turf. While the West Virginia roster includes eight players from Maryland, five from Northern Virginia and three from the District, the Maryland roster has none from the state of its neighboring rival.
| Up next |
| West Virginia at Maryland |
| When » Saturday, noon |
| Where » Byrd Stadium, College Park |
| TV » ESPNU |
| Radio » 980 AM |
But on Saturday at Byrd Stadium, Maryland has a chance to reverse the trend. Both teams have new coaches hired by new athletic directors.
Randy Edsall’s 32-24 victory over Miami in his Maryland debut was a national-television statement game. But a win over West Virginia would mean even more.
“I remember when I was here being announced as head coach that day, I had people tell me, ‘You gotta beat West Virginia,’?” Edsall said. “Even though they’re not in the ACC, it’s still a bordering state that’s developed a great rivalry.”
On Thursday evening, Edsall revealed he will take on West Virginia (2-0) without two of his starting wide receivers. Seniors Quintin McCree and Ronnie Tyler were suspended indefinitely for an unspecified violation of team rules.
According to Maryland state judiciary records, the 22-year-old Tyler was charged with second-degree assault Thursday and has a Nov. 1 court date. McCree’s involvement in the incident is unclear.
“The expectation of our program is for our student-athletes to conduct themselves in the proper manner academically, athletically and socially,” Edsall said in a release. “Unfortunately, Quintin and Ronnie fell short of these expectations.”
That will be a blow to the Maryland offense as it tries to solve West Virginia’s unconventional 3-3-5 stack defense. McCree is the fastest of the Terps’ wideouts. Tyler runs the best routes and has the best hands.
Maryland is well-stocked at wideout, however. Juniors Kevin Dorsey and Kerry Boykins are reliable and experienced. Senior Tony Logan, a standout punt returner, emerged in preseason. Tight end Matt Furstenburg often lined up split from the line against Miami and produced four catches for 68 yards.
In recent meetings, Maryland has been undermanned against West Virginia. The last four games have been decided by double-digit margins, with the Mountaineers’ superior speed the difference. The most embarrassing loss came in 2007, when Steve Slaton carried for 137 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 romp. Slaton originally committed to Maryland, but his scholarship went to another player, and the Terps rescinded the offer.
In last year’s 31-17 West Virginia victory, the Terps were overwhelmed on the field by the Mountaineers’ bevy of swift wideouts, including Tavon Austin, this year’s top threat. Austin, from Baltimore, is the kind of player Edsall needs to keep in state.
“We compete for some of the same recruits. It’s always a big game,” Edsall said. “It gives you a chance to maybe get a leg up for those people in that particular year.”
