Looking backward and forward, yesterday’s victory could have long-reaching implications.
The last time the Terps beat VA Tech was 1990 and I was there.
Here is the recap from the Baltimore Sun –
COLLEGE PARK — The route is one of the oldest in football. Everybody runs it. The key to its success is having a strong-armed quarterback and a fast wide receiver, and matching them against man-to-man coverage.
The post pattern.
The University of Maryland has won its first two games with it. (Va Tech and WVU)
Flashback I: Maryland quarterback Scott Zolak passes to wide receiver Gene Thomas on a short version of the post pattern for a 51-yard touchdown with 1 minute, 1 second left in the game for a 20-13, season-opening win over Virginia Tech.
As I said on the “In the Nest” show this morning on 1300AM in Baltimore, I am still on cloud nine about the Terps win yesterday.
To say the win was unexpected is too generous. Even the die-hards were wondering why the team has been so flat for the past few games. The excuses (or facts) of having lost so many players to injury from a team that was 4-0 and coming off a 37-0 win over WVU had worn thin.
Randy had intimated in his remarks earlier in the week that it was time for the players to grow up. And it was the players who stepped up on the field.
In retrospect, I guess it takes time for the younger players to make their mark on the team. To be ready for the pressure of major college football. From the 4th game until yesterday, the team seemed lacking the instinct to rise to the moment. It was after that 4th game that Maryland kept losing starter after starter.
Saturday the team did rise up, in all three phases as the offense played well enough, the special teams scored and the defense was solid when it counted.
Now with the 6th win and being eligible to go bowling we can start to look at what I assume is a brighter future. The Terps have a solid recruiting class led by four-star recruits Juwaan Winfree (WR), Derwin Gray (OL) and Jesse Aniebonam (LB/Rush End). Included in the class are some solid offensive lineman. The win seems to cement that the class will stay committed to the Terps.
What is a good class can go towards great. Three un-committed players are front runners to be Terps. We can start with Gilman’s end/linebacker Melvin Keihn, offensive lineman Damian Prince from Bishop McNamara and shutdown cornerback Jalen Tabor from FCA.
If you get these three top players, one can change the history of Maryland football.
For the reason of the recruiting and solidifying the program, yestereday’s win could be the turning point for the Terps on the way to the B1G Ten.