Some say it was a curious call. Dana Holgorsen called it, so he says it was the right one. Whatever the case, WVU had a third-and-goal at the Maryland 4-yard line late in Saturday’s win and called for a corner fade to Stedman Bailey. Eu Smith’s throw instead hit the cornerback in the back and all Bailey could do was apply a bear hug to Cameron Chism and hope he could, by some sort of magic, secure the ball.

Incomplete pass, 21-yard field goal and some white-knuckle moments on Maryland’s ensuing drive. But look back at that, and some other goal line passes, and it seems Geno has  a tough time with that throw.

“We knew we’d get single coverage and we told him to look,” Coach Dana Holgorsen said. “Stedman had an unbelievable release, but the throw was terrible. It’s a part of Geno’s game that has to get better.”

Strong words. Accurate words.

Smith is off to an unbelievable start — 1,008 yards (No. 4 nationally), seven touchdowns (No. 5) and just one interception that truthfully wasn’t his fault in 118 attempts (No. 5) and 82 completions (No 3). Those are fairly strong numbers, yes? Yet he knows he’s left points and numbers out on the field this season and three times now he’s just misfired on that fade.

“It’s not hard,” Smith said. “I made it look hard.”

Would you believe that inside the 10 this season Smith is 3-for-10? He’s thrown two touchdowns, but also allowed for three field goals instead of touchdowns, twice when the fade went bad. They’re not going to stop calling for the fade — unless it gets really bad — because whether you like it or not, it’s a matchup play where the offense usually has the advantage.

If the receiver gets a release without having to sorry about a safety and the accurate quarterback makes an accurate throw toward the corner of the end zone and puts the pass between his receiver and the pylon, it works. The play has its flaws at times, sure, but given those circumstances, it’s a good play. It’s a one-on-one matchup where the receiver has the advantage.

If WVU has it Saturday against LSU, Holgorsen is calling  it.  You don’t get many opportunities against LSU’s terrific cornerbacks. Trouble is, LSU’s corners are so terrific that they can make plays on the ball, so it better be the best throw possible in that situation. Or else.

“It’s a play where he has to trust the guy out there,” Bailey said. “We’ve worked on it a lot in practice. He just has to have faith in me to get the job done and make sure he throws it to the spot and I’ll make sure I do my part to connect.”

Bailey got off the line of scrimmage fast and worked outside of the defender so there was nothing between Bailey and the back corner of the end zone. Ideally, Smith’s pass would have arched toward the pylon, but Smith’s throw was short and Bailed had to work back and reach around cornerback Cameron Chism. The ball hit Bailey in the hands, but he couldn’t find the ball to secure it.

“I’ve got to trust my guys,” Smith said. “A lot of times I catch myself trying to make a perfect pass instead of putting it out there for those guys and letting them go out there and do their jobs. I’ve got to take the pressure off myself and doing what I’m coached and trusting my receivers.”