Why the Terps lost
Notes from another loss. Some of this will appear in an updated game story and some of it won't. I wanted to get it to you now...
--It's hard to switch quarterbacks in the middle of a game, particularly when the new guy has barely played. I like Jamar Robinson. But he needed time to settle in -- to, as he said, allow the game to 'slow down.'
Maryland seemed cautious with Robinson early on. He didn't throw at all on his first series, not even when the Terps faced third and 8 on the Wolfpack 15-yard line. He ran five yards on the play and Nick Ferrara then had a 27-yard field goal attempt blocked with the Terps trailing 24-21..
Robinson adds a new running dimension. But one play he will want back when he sees the video will be his overthrow of an open LaQuan Williams in the end zone with the Terps trailing, 31-28 . Ferrara then missed a 47-yard field goal attempt that could have tied the game.
By the way, Maryland coaches discussed the possibility at halftime of inserting true freshman Danny O'Brien at quarterback. Robinson played the whole second half, but coach Friedgen said afterward: "Danny, he's got to be ready to play.'
Another reason for the loss is that the Terps missed two field goals and did not take full advantage of four turnovers. The Terps had three picks -- the most since recording three against Wake Forest in 2007.
Comments
call me crazy but i am thinking 30 first downs and 485 yards surrendered by the defense had somtehting to do with it.
why is it that va tech has bud foster and we present chris 'paper mache' cosh followed by don 'wet paper bag' brown?
this failure to hire a qualified defensive coordinator (again) is a fatal flaw for coach friedgen who should be terminated.
Posted by: terpcentral | November 7, 2009 11:59 PM
They lost b/c they are the worst team in the ACC. Turner being knocked out of a game was inevitable, due to the O-line. And it finally happened. And of course, outside of WRs, there are no backups ready to play at most positions. Simply, what the Terps do to lose is what bad teams do. They find every way to lose - and cannot execute when opportunities are there.
Posted by: Tate | November 8, 2009 11:46 AM
Terpcentral your 1st point is right on, but...
You do not put a new offense or defense scheme in one year. Everybody got real excited last spring and this fall about the defense but failed to realize it was practicing against a young and inexperienced OL.
Robinson and the (2) freshman QB's have better skill sets to fit Coach Franklin's offensive scheme and I think that will become effident the rest of this year and next. OL will be much better next year also.
Entire defense will be pretty good next year as well. Coach Brown and the players will be much more comfortable next year with this scheme.
Neither of these two coaches were a part of the recruiting problems a few years ago, however, Coach Franklin has been a key in the quality new talent that is now on board.
This year is basically over except to prepare for what could be a very good team next year.
Posted by: ngaterp | November 9, 2009 8:20 AM