Two years later, Maryland tackle Justin Gilbert still can feel the pain, though not so much in his knee.
The Terrapins were off to a 2-0 start in 2010. They were down 21-0 in the third quarter at West Virginia when Gilbert retreated to pass block, felt his knee twist as he planted his foot and heard the pop that would change the course of his career.
Gilbert had his first serious injury, but all he wanted to know was whether quarterback Jamarr Robinson had been sacked. After going to the sideline, Gilbert tried to convince team doctor Craig Bennett to let him return.
| Up next |
| Maryland at No. 8 West Virginia |
| When » Saturday, noon |
| Where » Milan Puskar Stadium, |
| Morgantown, W.Va. |
| TV/radio » FX, ESPN 980 |
| Maryland could get some defensive help Saturday as it has listed linebacker Kenny Tate (knee) and cornerback A.J. Hendy (ankle) as probable. Both former starters were injured in the preseason. |
“I probably annoyed the man so much, asking was there anything I can do to go back in,” Gilbert said. “Shoot me up, wrap me up, cut it off. Do whatever you can to get me back in the game.”
But Gilbert had a torn ACL and was done for the year. Seven months later, Gilbert blew out the same knee on a noncontact drill in spring practice and was out another seven months.
Two years, two surgeries and 18 missed games later, Gilbert returns to West Virginia on Saturday filled with emotion as the Terps (2-1) take on the No. 8 Mountaineers (2-0).
“It brings back pretty bad memories. I don’t like West Virginia or their field, especially because of getting hurt,” Gilbert said. “Going back and getting back after it will be real nice.”
The value of the 6-foot-6, 300-pound senior was illustrated last year. One week after playing in his first game, he was in the starting lineup and has remained there since. After the transfer of starting tackles Max Garcia and R.J. Dill in the offseason, Gilbert slid over from guard, where he started last year.
“A lot of times guys don’t really understand how much they miss something,” Maryland coach Randy Edsall said. “That’s why it’s been good to see him stay injury-free and to see the confidence that he has now. I know in the back of his mind this is kind of a special game.”
Two injuries to the same knee have taken a toll. Gilbert now plays with a brace, but he says he is pain free and back to 100 percent.
“He’s shaking off the rust that he’s had from not playing,” Edsall said. “We need him to be more consistent with his technique. But he’s out there and improving. He’s getting better. He’s getting faster and faster each game.”
Gilbert, the most vocal and inspirational of the Terps’ offensive linemen, had a difficult time when he was sidelined but got through it with the help of roommate Bennett Fulper. Gilbert has tried to do the same for his current roommate, quarterback C.J. Brown, who went down with an ACL injury last month in the preseason.
“I’ve been through two of them. If there’s any expert on the team, I am,” Gilbert said. “When I got hurt, I didn’t really want a lot of help. As an athlete and a competitor, I don’t want people to help me. I do the same with C.J. knowing the kind of guy he is.”
