West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez wondered if his Mountaineers would ever defeat Maryland in football when his alma mater hired him in 2000.
“They beat us every way they could beat us,” Rodriguez said of the first four times his Mountaineers played Ralph Friedgen?s Terrapins.
But Rodriguez is not wondering any longer. West Virginia (2-0) has won three straight games against the Terrapins (2-0) and enters Thursday?s meeting at Byrd Stadium an overwhelming favorite to extend its winning streak.
“Its always been a pretty competitive game,” Rodriguez said. “I expect Thursday will be the same way.”
However, Rodriguez?s words are misleading. West Virginia is ranked fourth in country and has outscored Maryland, 95-59, in the past three meetings, including last year?s 45-24 domination in Morgantown.
The Terrapins hope to end their string of futility to the Mountaineers in what is their biggest game of the season. The game is being televised nationally by ESPN and a victory over the Mountaineers would likely vault Maryland into the Top-25 and give the Terrapins an inside track at playing in a prestigious bowl game this winter.
However, West Virginia embarrassed the Terrapins on national television last year. West Virginia running back Steve Slaton rushed for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries and quarterback Pat White rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown as the Mountaineers jumped out to a 28-0 lead in fewer than 14 minutes and never looked back. West Virginia outrushed Maryland, 340-122.
“It?ll be tougher this year because one, we?re at their place, and we were lucky last year,” Rodriguez said. “It was at our place in a very exciting, electric atmosphere. It?ll be a lot more difficult this time around.”
Maryland is more balanced offensively this season, despite being led by junior quarterback Jordan Steffy, who will be making just his third start.
“Steffy is an outstanding athlete,” Rodriguez said. “He can run.He ?s been in the system. He can do some things with options and runs that gives another dimension to the offense.”
Friedgen saw some mistakes in Steffy?s second start?a 26-10 win over Florida International on Saturday?but he acknowledged Steffy showed improvement since a season-opening victory over Villanova.
“He?s a competitor, he?s a feisty guy,” Friedgen said. “I think he?s a really good leader, and you have to go through this like they all do until they understand that you can?t assume anything. You have to see what the defense presents and I thought he got off things a little early. I just think when he sees it he?ll learn from it.”
