Maryland vs. West Virginia: Handing Out Grades For The Morgantown Showdown

SB Nation DC hands out grades to the Terps' units after Saturday's closer-than-expected loss in Morgantown.

Maryland Vs. WVU: Terrapins Play Well, Keep Game Closer Than Final Score Indicates

The Maryland Terrapins managed to hold their own and make things interesting against a very tough West Virginia team on Saturday. Still, they wound up on the losing end of a 31-21 game, and that's what people will see the most. Were it not for some mistakes, though, Maryland might have actually been able to beat No. 8 West Virginia on Saturday. The only issue is that the underdog usually has to play flawless to pull off that kind of win.

Ben Boman of SB Nation's Testudo Times has more on that in their postgame recap:

But when a young and flawed team plays a top-10 opponent that largely outclasses them across the field, at their own house, there's no room for error. Flawless execution is required. And Maryland, between dropped first downs, fumbles that turned into West Virginia points and took Maryland out of scoring position, killer penalties, and missed field goals, simply made too many mistakes.

The Terrapins did a lot to stifle WVU's offense, besting them on third down early and often, but in the end, Tavon Austin amassed almost 200 yards and had three touchdown receptions. That's par for the course for him against Maryland, and it was very obliviously the deciding factor in this game.

Still, the game was a lot closer than the final score indicated, with just a couple costly errors being the biggest deciding factor. It isn't exactly a feel-good loss, but it wasn't the most demoralizing game Maryland has ever played, and the postgame recap makes that pretty clear.

For more on Terps football, visit Maryland blog Testudo Times, plus SB Nation DC. For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

ANIMATED: Despite Loss, Maryland's Stefon Diggs Continues To Impress

Maryland Vs. WVU 2012 Final Score: Terrapins Fall To No. 8 Mountaineers, 31-21

No. 8 West Virginia improved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 31-21 win over the Maryland Terrapins. It didn't come easy for the Mountaineers, as true freshman Perry Hills led the Terps and kept them close throughout. But the duo of Geno Smith and Tavon Austin were too much for Maryland, as the Mountaineers continued to rack up impressive numbers in Dana Holgorsen's offense.

WVU jumped in front by two touchdowns early, converting a score on the defensive side of the ball first. Darwin Cook came right through the center of the Maryland line and sacked Hills as he turned to hand off, forcing a fumble which the Mountaineers returned 51 yards for the touchdown. Three minutes later, Smith would connect with Austin for a 44-yard TD, their first of three scores.

But Hills and the Terps did not fold, charging back with two touchdowns of their own to even it up. At the end of the first quarter, Hills hit fellow true freshman Stefon Diggs and the heralded speedster took it down the left sideline for a 42-yard score. Diggs scored his second touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter, another big play strike from Hills that went for 56 yards and put Diggs over the century mark for the day. The Maryland freshman duo consistently responded when it appeared Holgorsen's offense would take control of the game.

With WVU holding a three-point lead, Smith and Austin would connect twice for 14 unanswered points that proved to be the difference. Their third touchdown came after a scoreless third quarter, the first one of the Mountaineers' season. Smith hit Austin in the middle of the field and speedy wideout took it in for a 34-yard score.

The Terps cut the lead back to 10 on the second big play by Diggs, but WVU's defense would dig in on the next possession and force a fourth and 20. The desperation situation resulted in a Hills heave that fell into the hands of WVU's Wes Tonkery.

Smith and the offense would salt the game away from there, moving the chains and killing the final four-plus minutes.

Box Score Hero: Tavon Austin finished the day with 13 catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Austin set a school receptions record with his big day, passing Jock Sanders, who established the mark in 2010.

Rankings Ramifications: While it wasn't their most dominating performance of the season, West Virginia should remain in the top 10. They have an opportunity to move up with three teams (Oregon, Oklahoma, FSU) ahead of them playing ranked teams on Saturday night.

But Did They Cover? The Mountaineers entered the game as 27-point favorites and were not able to cover.

For More On This Game: Visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on Terps football, visit Maryland blog Testudo Times, plus SB Nation DC.

Next Week's Schedule: The Mountaineers will make their Big 12 debut, hosting Baylor in Morgantown. Maryland will be idle next week before starting their ACC schedule against Wake Forest in October.

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This story was originally published at SB Nation.

Maryland vs. West Virginia Final: Terps Keep It Close, But Fall To Mountaineers 31-21

Maryland put up a fight, but Tavon Austin and the West Virginia Mountaineers proved to be too much in Morgantown, as the Terps fell 31-21.

Maryland vs. West Virginia Score Update: Mountaineers Still Lead 24-14 Headed to Fourth

Both defense stepped their games up, as West Virginia and Maryland traded punts in a largely uneventful third quarter.

Maryland gave up an early first down to West Virginia, but was able to force two completions from Geno Smith and stuff Andrew Buie to force a punt. After a Terrapin three-and-out, the Mountaineers got the ball back, and Maryland's defense came up big again.

Demetrius Hartsfield crushed Smith for a nine-yard sack, and two plays later the Terps forced a punt. Maryland was able to get a prolonged drive going, with four first downs, but a dropped pass by Marcus Leak forced a Terrapin punt.

For the Terps, Hartsfield, Dexter McDougle and Joe Vellano were particularly noticeable in making some big plays. Both teams struggled offensively, and it will remain 24-14 heading into the final quarter.

Perry Hills is 16/23 for 191 yards and two touchdowns, compared to Geno Smith's 21/32 for 256 yards and two scores. The Terps have a 56-1 advantage on the ground, thanks to 48 yards on 18 carries by Brandon Ross.

For more on Terps football, visit Maryland blog Testudo Times, plus SB Nation DC. For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Maryland vs. West Virginia Score Update: Late West Virginia Touchdown Gives Mountaineers 24-14 Lead At Half

Maryland is still playing with West Virginia in Morgantown, scoring early but conceding late as they trail 24-14 against the #8 Mountaineers.

The Terps started the quarter with a third-and-four from their own 41st, and Perry hills converted a big jailbreak screen to Matt Furstenburg for a 29-yard conversion to start it out. On a third-and-eight three plays later, Hills completed another screen to Justus Pickett, this one going for 14 yards. Three plays later on another third-and-eight, Hills threaded a beautiful pass over the middle, finding Marcus Leak in the end zone for a 12-yard score, tying the game up at 14. Maryland came into the game 14/40 on third downs on the season, but started out 4/6, including those three key conversions.

West Virginia moved down the field gradually, with 50 yards passing from Geno Smith and 17 yards on the ground from the team setting up a 3rd-and-goal from Maryland's eight yard-line. After two offsetting penalties led to a replay of the down, A.J. Francis broke through on a three-man rush to take down Smith for a sack and a 12-yard loss. The Mountaineers had to settle for a 37-yard field goal from Tyler Bitancurt, only the second time this year they didn't score a touchdown in the red zone, giving them a 17-14 lead.

After three straight three-and-outs, West Virginia got the ball back and got to work. Three straight passes to Tavon Austin, J.D. Woods, Stedman Bailey gave the Mountaineers the ball on the Terps' 24, and West Virginia used their final challenge (unsuccessfully) on a ball that Bailey dropped near the goal line after excellent coverage from Dexter McDougle.

On the next play, Smith found a wide open Austin in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown. Jeremiah Johnson absolutely blew the assignment, letting Austin go right by him for the easy score. The Mountaineers expanded their lead to 24-14, and they will take it into halftime.

Right before the half, Perry Hills was hit hard from behind on a play that had already been whistled dead, and had to be taken off injured. Devin Burns came in and ran for a first down (fumbling it out of bounds at the end), and Hills was able to come back in immediately. Hills completed two 15-yard passes, one to Diggs and one to Kevin Dorsey, but Brad Craddock missed the 41-yarder.

Hills enters the half 14/20 for 164 yards and two scores, Brandon Ross has eleven rushes for 24 yards, and Albert Reid has four carries for 20 yards. Diggs has 126 all-purpose yards on eight touches, Furstenburg has three catches for 54 yards, and Dorsey has three receptions for 31 yards.

For West Virginia, Geno Smith is 14/23 for 209 yards and two scores, and Tavon Austin has six receptions for 113 yards and two scores.

The teams are nearly even in yardage - West Virginia has 213, Maryland has 212, and the Terps end the half five of nine on third down conversions.

For more on Terps football, visit Maryland blog Testudo Times, plus SB Nation DC. For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Maryland vs. West Virginia Score Update: Terps Keeping It Close, Trail 14-7 After First

Maryland has managed to hang with the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown so far, giving up two early touchdowns but responding with one of their own. The Terps trail 14-7 after the first.

Maryland went three-and-out on their first drive, but came up with a big defensive stop on West Virginia's first offensive opportunity. After giving up a first down on a great catch by Stedman Bailey, Brian Stewart's Terrapin defense brought the pressure, forcing a third down incompletion by Geno Smith and a fourth down punt by Corey Smith.

On the Terps' next drive, Perry Hills ran for three yards before completing a play-action pass to Matt Furstenburg for a first down. Brandon Ross ran for a three-yard gain and a West Virginia facemask gave the Terps another first down. Three plays later, on third-and-ten, Hills completed a nice 13-yard pass to Kevin Dorsey for a first down, and that's when everything fell apart.

The Mountaineers brought a perfectly-timed blitz, and Darwin Cook sacked Hills and forced the fumble after Tyler Cierski missed a block. Doug Rigg recovered, returning it all the way to the end zone for a 48-yard West Virginia touchdown. The Mountaineers led 7-0 with just over 11 minutes left in the quarter.

On West Virginia's next drive, they struck quickly. A screen pass to Andrew Buie netted 34 yards, and a pass over the middle to Tavon Austin went 44 yards for the score. Matt Robinson made a poor attempt at the tackle, just throwing his shoulder into Austin and kind of pushing him along his way, and it was 14-0 Mountaineers.

Maryland responded in kind, with a strike of their own. After four straight runs, including first downs from Albert Reid and Brandon Ross, Mike Locksley called a play-action. Hills rolled out to the left side, avoiding the blitz and picking up a big block from Cierski, and found a (somehow) wide-open Diggs on the left sideline. Diggs put on the burners and sprinted past the Mountaineers' defense before diving in for the 42-yard score, bringing it to 14-7 West Virginia.

The Terps forced a three-and-out on West Virginia's next drive, thanks to a tackle and a pass broken up by Kenny Tate, back from injury for the first time this year.

Maryland will start the second quarter on their own 41-yard line with a 3rd-and-4.

The Terps are dominating the time of possession, with nearly 11 minutes compared to West Virginia's 3:42, and are actually leading the yardage battle as well - 109 to 98. Hills has looked great, and is 7/10 for 87 yards and the score, while Brandon Ross has eight rushes for 21 yards. Matt Furstenburg has two catches for 25 yards.

For more on Terps football, visit Maryland blog Testudo Times, plus SB Nation DC. For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Maryland Vs. West Virginia: Kenny Tate Returns For Terrapins

The Maryland Terrapins may get a much-needed boost this afternoon when they try to stymie the ridiculousness that is the West Virginia Mountaineers offense—former first-team All-ACC linebacker Kenny Tate is likely to return to action for the first time in 11 games. He almost certainly won't start, according to Patrick Stevens of The Washigton Times, as he's practicing with the second team during warmups. Alex Twine should start in his place.

Tate made the All-ACC first team as a junior in 2010 playing safety under head coach Ralph Friedgen and defensive coordinator Don Brown. As a senior, with new head coach Randy Edsall, he moved to linebacker, but suffered an ultimately season-ending knee injury, and was granted a medical hardship waiver to allow him to play this season.

However, Tate suffered a different knee injury during the preseason, resulting in him missing the Terps' first three games, in which they've gone 2-1. Even though some Terps fans may not remember, Tate, along with defensive lineman Joe Vellano, is one of their best defensive players and his health is a key to determining if this will be another lost year, or a potential bowl season.

For more on the Terps, check out Testudo Times and SB Nation DC. For coverage of the Mountaineers, visit The Smoking Musket and SB Nation Pittsburgh.

This story was originally posted on SB Nation.

Maryland Vs. West Virginia Preview: Terps Try To Avoid A Morgantown Mashing

Maryland travels to West Virginia Saturday to take on the No. 8 Mountaineers. Do the Terps have a chance of containing the offensive firepower of Geno Smith?

Maryland Vs. West Virginia 2012: TV Schedule, Game Time, Spread And More

The Maryland Terrapins will be heavy underdogs as they head to West Virginia to play the No. 8 Mountaineers on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Maryland Goes With All-White Look Against West Virginia

Maryland Vs. West Virginia: Randy Edsall Optimistic That Kenny Tate Will Return Saturday

Maryland Terrapins head coach Randy Edsall said Thursday that he's optimistic senior linebacker Kenny Tate will be able to play in Saturday's non-conference match up with No. 8-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (12 p.m. ET on FX). Tate has been recovering from a surgically repaired knee that was injured last season. The injury has kept him out of the Terrapins' first three games of the 2012-13 season.

"He's been good this week," Edsall told the media on Thursday. "Hopefully there won't be anything that comes out."

If Tate (6'4, 230 pounds) is to return, it would be a big boost to the Maryland defense, which is facing the nation's second-best passing offense (386 yards per game). Last season, Tate was the Terps' leading tackler (8.8 per game) before he suffered the season-ending knee injury. Tate was also a consensus preseason all-conference selection.

For more on Maryland football, visit the SB Nation blog Testudo Times, while The Smoking Musket has everything on West Virginia.

Maryland Vs. West Virginia: Kerry Boykins, Keith Bowers Ruled Out Of Saturday's game

The Terrapins face the Mountaineers on Saturday