MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During Saturday’s fourth-quarter twilight, nearly three hours after Brad Paisley crooned almost heaven and West Virginia promptly unleashed hell on Maryland, the home team enjoyed a 45-point lead.
With the stands emptying and a 3-0 start in hand, there seemed little left to accomplish.
Unless you were a starter on the Mountaineers defense, that is.
That gang of overachievers, hungry for a second shutout this season, was in the ear of defensive coordinator Tony Gibson after West Virginia’s second unit allowed Maryland to cross midfield. Ready for re-entry, Coach.
“They all wanted to go back in and were putting their helmets on, but I told them to relax,” Gibson said.