Sept. 16, 2000
Box Score
By JOHN RABY
AP Sports Writer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Backup Cooper Rego scored on two short runs and
West Virginia turned back a potential go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter
for a 30-17 victory over Maryland on Saturday.
Maryland (1-1) nearly overcame a 17-point halftime deficit despite a
mediocre performance from Lamont Jordan, who rushed for 38 yards on 18 carries.
Still, he became Maryland's career rushing leader.
Leading 23-17, West Virginia's Richard Bryant let a punt go through his
hands and Maryland's Moises Cruz recovered at the Mountaineers 9, but the
Terrapins were unable to take advantage. Quarterback Calvin McCall was stopped
on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 6:38 remaining.
West Virginia (2-0) then drove 99 yards over the next five minutes to put
the game away. The drive was highlighted by a 39-yard pass from Brad Lewis to
fullback Wes Ours, a Rawlings, Md., native who talked all week about playing
well against his home-state school that didn't recruit him.
Rego, who took over in the second half after starter Avon Cobourne left the
game with a sprained ankle, capped the scoring on a 2-yard run with 1:41
remaining. Rego finished with 114 yards, while Cobourne had 97 yards on 12
carries in the first half.
Bryant's muffed catch on the punt was among numerous special teams mistakes
that cost West Virginia momentum.
Punter Jon Ohliger dropped a low snap and illegally kicked the ball while it
was on the ground. Maryland freshman Leon Joe picked the ball up at his own 46
and ran untouched for an easy score to cut the deficit to 20-17 near the end of
the third quarter.
Ohliger also missed an extra point. Earlier, the Mountaineers ran into
Maryland's punter to keep a drive alive and allowed two long kickoff returns,
one of which set up a Terrapins field goal.
Jordan, who ran for 164 yards against West Virginia last year, needed only
29 yards to break Charlie Wysocki's school record of 3,359 yards from 1978-81.
He now has 3,369 yards.
Maryland managed just 71 yards rushing and 286 overall.
