BALTIMORE, Md. — Hey, at least Stefon Diggs didn’t get loose, right?
That’s small consolation, for sure, but those soggy West Virginia fans stewing beneath their ponchos on Saturday didn’t have much else to celebrate during a 37-0 pummeling at the hands of a program WVU had owned the last seven meetings.
The best and worst from M&T Bank Stadium:
Worst statline no one ever anticipated from a Dana Holgorsen offense: Six turnovers and six first downs.
Best impact by a backup safety: Maryland’s A.J. Hendy jumped a sideline route and returned the interception 28 yards for a score. He also scooped up two fumbles.
Worst sign for an offensive line: “When you can’t run the ball with five people in the box and you can’t pass protect when they’re rushing four, you’ve got issues,” Holgorsen said.
Best proof Deon Long has matured: Six catches for 98 yards showed Maryland’s junior receiver is more polished and committed than during his brief stay at WVU in 2010. “He’s probably the happiest guy in that locker room,” said Terps coach Randy Edsall. “I tried to keep him calm all week long.”
Worst exploitation of backup cornerbacks: Wasn’t West Virginia’s downfield passing game supposed to capitalize on Maryland starting two second-string corners? Did WVU really complete only one pass to a wide receiver? “Their secondary was able to play off a majority of the game because we never established a run game or a perimeter game,” said WVU offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Worst luck on punt returns: WVU special-teams coach Joe DeForest hoped Ronald Carswell would be stabilize the spot after taking over for Mario Alford. But Carswell misjudged a punt that ricocheted off him and led to Maryland’s first touchdown.
Best hit (no flag): Icky Banks popping Diggs on a screen pass, sending the Terps receiver to the sideline breathless.
Best hit (with flag): Travis Bell rocking Long as the defenseless receiver came down with a 19-yard sideline catch. (Apparently it was enough to warrant a personal foul but not targeting? What?)
Best testimonial for Under Armour’s no-grab jerseys: “I felt like I had a bulletproof vest on,” said Terps linebacker L.A. Goree.
Worst injury to a linebacker who returned: WVU’s Brandon Golson appeared to wreck his left leg after colliding with teammate Will Clarke on a first-half sack. Alas, the junior re-appeared in the third quarter.
Worst injury to a linebacker who didn’t return: Nick Kwiatkoski, the Mountaineers’ top tackler this season, left with an undisclosed injury and missed the second half. Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson couldn’t offer a postgame update Kwiatkoski’s condition.
Best leg, part I: Terrapins kicker Brad Craddock powering a 50-yard field goal halfway up the kicking net—in the rain, no less.
Best leg, part II: Maryland punter Nathan Renfro blasting a 64-yarder to pin WVU at its own 4.
Worst time to take a nap in the replay booth: The guy upstairs failed to pause the game for a review—much less overturn—a third-quarter fumble on which Charles Sims’ knee appeared to be down.