Terps' Barnes Has Become a Big Hit On the Internet

Kevin Barnes's takedown of Jahvid Best -- and its aftermath -- has steadily grown in popularity. (By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)
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Within the Gossett Team House, all it took was a vague reference to "the hit" to elicit reaction. Asked about the video, one school official simply said, "Thing of beauty." Wide receiver Danny Oquendo said every player had seen the video at least three times before Monday's practice.

At Maryland, teammates and coaches cherished the hit because it symbolized the physicality that Coach Ralph Friedgen had implored players to display. In a sense, it was a blunt message sent to California's most explosive player.

"It showed that we were not just playing," defensive tackle Jeremy Navarre said. "We were playing to hit."

Barnes explained how the play unfolded, saying that Cal quarterback Kevin Riley recognized Maryland was in man-to-man coverage with no safeties in the middle of the field. So Barnes disguised his stance, moving back and forth to bait the quarterback, and Barnes anticipated the quick screen pass to Best at the snap.

After looking for the interception first, Barnes leveled Best with his left shoulder. Barnes said the hit did not make a sound. All he heard was the crowd. Barnes saw Best on the ground and Barnes "strutted off a little bit."

"That was one of Kevin's better hits," Friedgen said. "I saw [Best] kind of feeling his chest after that. It affected him. The hit was an important play."

Oquendo said he watched the video after the game and has replayed it twice a day since. Does it get better each time?

Oquendo paused, before saying, "It gets a little sicker every time."