MORGANTOWN, W. Va.
Because we’re all hungover from last night – you from another rousing Thursday night, me from spending the day/night in a place I’ll never return to again – let’s have a little bit of fun and go through a familiar childhood series: Choose Your Own Adventure.
Please proceed through the following three scenarios as the head football coach of the Terrapins.
If you decide to keep Steve Slaton, please read section titled “Right.”
If you decide to rescind Slaton’s scholarship, please read section titled “Wrong.”
Right: You found a way to keep Slaton despite a numbers crunch which made you consider revoking his scholarship offer.
Despite showing promise as a true freshman last season, Slaton saw limited action behind Mario Merrills and Lance Ball. In fall practice this year, Slaton emerged from a stable of running backs to claim the starting spot and starred in the Terps’ blowouts of William & Mary and Middle Tennessee.
The impact of Slaton in a Terp uniform would be like Reggie Bush deciding to transfer from USC and spend his final year of eligibility gliding on Chevy Chase Bank Field.
Wrong: You allowed the numbers game to force out a talented guy on and off the field. After Slaton verbally committed to this university, you rescinded your scholarship offer, freeing the Philadelphia-product to sign with rival West Virginia.
Luckily, Slaton did not emerge as the Mountaineers No. 1 running back until after the two squads faced off last season. This time around, with Slaton coming off his Big East rookie of the year honors, the Terps witnessed his excellence. Slaton’s second touchdown – an absolute jaw-dropper reminiscent of Bush’s change-of-direction run at Fresno State – made his other dazzling runs look ho-hum.
If you decide to receive the opening kickoff, please read section titled “Right.”
If you decide to defer until the second half, please read section titled “Wrong.”
Right: You won the coin toss and elected to receive, knowing that a fast start by your team is the only way the game could remain close. Primed for this opportunity, quarterback Sam Hollenbach leads the Terps down the field, culminating with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey on a quick slant. Terps lead No. 5-ranked West Virginia, 7-0, with 10:12 remaining in the first quarter.
Wrong: You won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving West Virginia’s electric offensive attack the chance to deliver the game’s first blow. The Mountaineers do just that once Slaton shakes senior safety Marcus Wimbush in the open field and sprints to the pylon. The opening touchdown drive sets the tone, to be kind.
If you decide to run a normal kick return, please read section titled “Right.”
If you decide to call a reverse on the kick return, please read section titled “Wrong.”
Right: Down 7-0 and needing to break the Mountaineers momentum, you let whoever catches the kickoff run the ball back. Senior Josh Wilson receives the ball at the 10 yard line and returns it 19 yards to the Terp 29. With help from Lance Ball, Hollenbach leads the Terps into field goal range, letting roommate Dan Ennis boot a 39-yarder.
Wrong: You pull out one of those long-awaited trick plays at the first possible moment, and it backfires. Wilson receives the kick, and a muffed exchange with Heyward-Bey – who was coming around on a reverse – gives West Virginia the ball right back. The Mountaineers find the end zone three plays later to take a two touchdown advantage less than five minutes into the game.
If you were right in all three scenarios, then mazel tov – the Terps played West Virginia tough for most of the game before allowing a late touchdown by dynamic quarterback Pat White in a 31-24 loss.
If you were wrong in all three scenarios, then my apologies – the Terps trailed an unimaginable 28-0 in the first quarter, eventually losing 45-24.
While I do not blame Fridge for his actions involving Slaton, he should be held accountable for the two early decisions made last night which did not put his team in a position to hang close, let alone win. These decisions combined with flat defensive play and incompetent special teams play, and you have a laughable performance by a once-proud program.
Embarrassing showings like this on arguably college football’s biggest regular-season stage – Thursday night on ESPN – is not a good way to market the Terrapin product. In fact, the Terps have dropped five out of their last six such appearances on Thursday nights in the regular season.
Ugh. Excuse me while I deal with my churning stomach and pounding headache.
Thursday struggles
Ralph Friedgen has a 3-5 career record with the Terps on Thursday night regular season games. He has lost five of the last six after starting 2-0.
OpponentDateScore
@West Virginia9/14/06L 45-24
Virginia Tech10/20/05L 28-9
@Virginia Tech11/18/04L 55-6
Virginia11/13/03W 27-17
@Georgia Tech10/23/03L 7-3
@Northern Ill.8/28/03L 20-13
Georgia Tech10/17/02W 34-10
@Georgia Tech10/11/01W 20-17
Contact columnist Daniel Chiat at chiatdbk@gmail.com.
