Well, where was I?...Sorry to my legions of readers for the lack of Presto's Picks and College Football Corners the last few weeks--but now we are back to wrap up the season in fine fashion.
My 20th high school reunion was over Thanksgiving weekend--and unfortunately other responsibilities kept me in DC--and I can't help but view my high school days within the context of the recent college football season...filled with possibilities, disappointments, unrealistic expectations and the occasional pleasant surprises--with plenty of lessons learned and forgotten.
(Alma mater update--while I don't know how the Manchester High School West football team fared, I was in the stands at Notre Dame Stadium for Syracuse's improbable 24-23 upset of the Irish--and although the Orange will have to find a new coach to reinvent a once-proud program...SU hoops is off and running to an excellent start)
Maryland wrapped up its inconsistent regular season with a 28-21 loss to Boston College...the team's first loss during the day as well as their first defeat against a ranked opponent. TERRAPIN TRIUMPHS--Chris Turner threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns while running for another score...Torry Smith and Danny Oquendo each tallied more than 100 yards receiving...the defense held BC to just 143 yards passing (less than 10 yards per completion)... TERRAPIN TROUBLES--it's very difficult to win if you can't run or stop the run...and the Terps were outgained on the ground 175 to minus 6...as the tailback tandem of DaRell Scott and Davin Meggett was limited to 23 yards on 16 carries...meanwhile, the defense failed to generate a takeaway and 7 penalties for 73 yards won't make anyone in College Park happy.
Virginia Tech's 17-14 win over Virginia reminds me of what these two schools have achieved in recent memory...: somehow the Hokies despite their limitations find a way to win while for everything the Cavaliers do--somehow Al Groh's team comes up short.
HOKIE HIGHLIGHTS--how much of a dual threat is Tyrod Taylor? 137 yards rushing plus 137 passing wraps up a fine regular season...as a team Va Tech tallied 216 yards on the ground and held the ball for 36+ minutes...
HOKIE HUMBLINGS--despite being the better team for four quarters, they still needed a late field goal to beat a team that went 0-6 against I-A competition outside of October...
CAVALIER CONGRATS--in a year where Cedric Peerman fought injuries and Mikkell Simpson fought ineffectiveness, converted cornerback Vic Hall rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns...CAVALIER CATASTROPHES--in a year where Marc Verica threw interceptions by the bunches (16 over 10 games), one last pick while UVa was in field goal range ended the team's final opportunity to tie the game up.
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