When Middle Tennessee jitterbug running back Eugene Gross slipped through the fingers of Terrapin football defenders, it didn’t make much of a difference. Allowing 105 rushing yards and 321 total yards against the Blue Raiders didn’t make much of a difference as the Terps allowed only 10 points and walked away with a relatively comfortable win.

While Gross is a good Sun Belt Conference running back, he’s no Steve Slaton.

Because of Slaton’s abilities, the overarching problem of lackluster tackling takes center stage this week with the West Virginia game a day away. Coach Ralph Friedgen and the Terps know they must improve their overall tackling to prevent a stampede.

“We got to move our feet better,” junior safety J.J. Justice said. “We need to get into a better tackling position to tackle better. A lot of times you lean in and stick your arm out. That’s not going to get it done against backs like Slaton.”

Tackling has been a concern since the season began. And while there’s no physical statistic to measure missed tackles, they affect the game in measurable ways. Gross broke a tackle on his 23-yard screen-pass Saturday night, which turned a desperate 3rd-and-20 situation into an eventual touchdown.

The Terps now have to focus on stopping Slaton, a star who shone brightest with the spotlight on him last season. In the Mountaineers’ Sugar Bowl win over Georgia, Slaton rushed for an eye-popping 204 yards and three touchdowns and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

But as a sophomore, Slaton has already proven he’s not a flash in the pan. In West Virginia’s two games this season, Slaton has run for 308 yards and four touchdowns on just 41 carries – a staggering 7.5 yards per attempt.

Junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson, who leads the Terps with 18 tackles, said the defense has to play sharper. Nose tackle Dre Moore attributed the problem to over-anxiousness.

“We’re all so anxious to get there that we’re just lunging and reaching. We got to get there, take a breath, slow down and make the play,” Moore said. “We’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Given the short week between Saturday and tomorrow, Friedgen said there’s a fine line between overworking players and preparing them enough for what he expects to be a physical game. He said the Terps wore helmets and full pads Monday more for protection than tackling practice.

“It’s a tough week to work on tackling,” Friedgen said. “Hopefully we’ll be rested and do a better job of tackling.”

When asked how to stop West Virginia’s potent offense, the seasoned coach and offensive coordinator laughed and said, “Pray a lot. Bring out the rosary.”

Seriously considering the weapons West Virginia possesses in Slaton, quarterback Pat White and wide receiver Brandon Myles, Friedgen voiced concern. The Terps’ head man – whose expertise lies in the offense – now has to worry about how his players handle the open field.

“There’s no substitute for speed,” Friedgen said. “My concern is tackling these guys in open spaces.”

Friedgen hopes he can allay open-field fears by having his players swarm to the ball, even if others miss tackles.

“When you do things like that over a period of time, it becomes second nature to you, second nature to you to go to the ball,” sophomore linebacker Erin Henderson said.

With an offense as explosive as West Virginia’s, it’s about substance over style.

“Coaches always emphasize, it doesn’t have to be a pretty tackle,” Justice said. “You just got to get the guy on the ground.”

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.