The latest NCAA graduation success rate figures are out, and two Maryland teams – women’s soccer and women’s swimming – recorded perfect, 100-percent scores.

Some other sports, including men’s basketball and football, didn’t fare as well. The team’s coaches said both programs have made progress that is not reflected in the current figures but will be in future years.

The data released this week covers the four freshman classes who entered from 1999 through 2002.

“We’ve graduated eight of our last 10 players and our three seniors are on schedule to graduate, and our underclassmen are doing very well,” men's basketball coach Gary Williams said.

Maryland has said in the past that the rates for men’s basketball were lowered by players leaving to pursue professional careers. Men’s basketball’s rate was 8 percent, men’s tennis was 17 percent, men’s cross country-track was 57 percent and football was 60 percent.

Last year’s announced rates were 10 percent for men’s basketball and 68 percent for football.

“It varies year to year when you have attrition,” football coach Ralph Friedgen said. “I think you have to look at the whole body of work. This year is probably a little lower. Next year I think will be higher.”

The so-called “Graduation Success Rates” counts incoming transfer students and mid-year enrollees. It does not penalize schools for transfers who leave in good standing.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Terps football
        

QB Chris Turner (knee) has been ruled out of the Florida State game. That means another start for backup Jamarr Robinson.

"They told me Sunday there is a 50-50 chance he (Turner) could be ready for the last game," coach Friedgen said.

But RB Da'Rel Scott (wrist) may return. Scott will practice today (non-contact) with a brace that allows motion in his hands.

Coaches will assess how Scott is faring and whether he can hold on to the ball adequately enough coming back from his injury. Then a decision will be made on whether he can play.

Also out are safety Kenny Tate and punter Travis Baltz.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
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You know the numbers: Maryland has been on ESPN360.com seven times this season.

But the Terps game against Florida State on Saturday will be on television locally. Specifically, it's on WJZ-TV (CBS 13) in Baltimore and on WTTG-TV (Fox 5) in Washington. Kickoff is at noon.

It's the fourth TV game for Maryland football this season. The others were California on ESPN2, and Virginia and Clemson (both ESPNU).

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Here is Fridge on the loss:

ON THE 'GAP'
"There is a gap (between Maryland and Virginia Tech) right now. One of the things that I hope that will close it is when some of our younger guys mature and grow up. We have to go out and recruit (too)."

ON MARYLAND'S ATTITUDE
.
"I don’t see guys with attitudes, I don’t see guys pointing fingers. I’m waiting for it to collapse, I really am.But they keep coming back"

ON WHAT HE SAID AT HALFTIME

"I said, 'We're better than we’re playing right now. I’m disappointed in our energy."

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)
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Safety Kenny Tate (high ankle sprain) is probably lost for the season, coach Friedgen said.

Also likely lost is punter Travis Baltz (broken finger).

Can things get any worse for the Terps this season?

Said Fridge:" I’m seeing plays I haven’t seen in my whole coaching career. You just wonder what spell are we under."

Virginia Tech 36, Terps 9 (final)

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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And the beat goes on.

Virginia Tech has four first-half touchdowns and 12 first downs. The Terps have seven first downs, zero touchdowns.

Jamar Robinson (73 passing yards, including a 21-yarder to Torrey Smith) can't get the offense going, although he is improving

Meanwhile, the Hokies made it 20-3 on a 10-yard swing pass to Dyrell Roberts with 11:37 left in the second quarter. The extra point failed.

The lead became 27-3 after Tyrod Taylor threw over the middle to Jarrett Boykin midway through the second quarter. Safety Jamai McCollough swiped at the ball and missed, leaving Boykin to race into the end zone to complete a 64-yard play.

Virginia Tech 27, Terps 3 second quarter
Terps turnovers: zero

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
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Could Maryland run a Paul Johnson-style option offense next season?

Coach Friedgen isn't ruling it out.

The subject of the option came up at Fridge's media availability today during a discussion about Georgia Tech's success with it this season.

Fridge, who has used a variation of the option when he was offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, said he'd think about it for the Terps next year.

"(Redshirt freshman) C.J. Brown and I think (transfer) Clay Belton could do it," the coach said. "
"I’d like to get back to doing some of that stuff if you can get the right guys."

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
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Starting quarterback Chris Turner (knee) is doubtful for Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.

That means Jamarr Robinson will likely make his first start.

Here is coach Friedgen on Turner::

"Chris is doubtful so we’ll have to see at game time how we make that decision."

Here is Friedgen on Robinson:

"He's had a good week of practice. Some things are not as fast as they need to be."

Robinson completed five of 11 passes for 27 yards against N.C. State and ran nine times for 54 yards, excluding yardage lost in sacks.

Friedgen said he wouldn't anticipate playing freshman Danny O'Brien but wouldn't rule it out if playing O'Brien were necessary to win.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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So who do you like at quarterback on Saturday?

*Chris Turner? You can make a case that the fifth-year senior -- if his knee allows him to play, and that's a very big "if" -- has earned the right to try to finish out his college career on an up note. Coaches have obviously felt all season that Turner's experience at running this offense gives the Terps their best chance to win. Turner has had interception problems this season, though.

*Jamarr Robinson? He could be the future, at least in the near term. No doubt he is the most mobile of the quarterbacks, according to offensive coordinator James Franklin. So he gives Maryland a dual-purpose threat -- which is important when your offensive line is porous. But how effectiely can he pass and manage the offense? We don't know yet.

*Danny O'Brien? Playing the freshman sure would be interesting in that coaches rave about his acuity. Said coach Friedgen: "He's very mature for his age. He's very bright. He would have been accepted here at Maryland as a regular student. Came here early, went to summer school. He's in here watching tape all the time." But do you want to burn O'Brien's redshirt in this of all seasons?

Fridge has also said that freshman C.J. Brown should be ready to play. You may list him as a "write-in" on your ballots if you wish.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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This is not meant as deep analysis, but just consider:

*After eight games last season, the Terps and the NFL's Redskins were each 6-2. Each faded in the second half. Each won exactly two more games.

*This season, each lost their opener. Each has won two games since. Each has lost their last four. Both lost their quarterbacks this past weekend, although Washington's Jason Campbell returned. A principal problem for each: a struggling offensive line.

*A welcome bye week? Naturally, they had the same one -- Halloween weekend.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
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Quarterback Chris Turner has an MCL injury of undetermined severity.

Backup Jamar Robinson said he must prepare as if he will be the starter.

“I’ve seen third-degree MCLs come back in a week or two weeks,” Fridge said of Turner’s injury. “If it’s worse (he’s) probably done.”

Maryland also lost defensive end Isaiah Ross to a knee injury in the first half. Maryland defensive tackle Travis Ivey said Ross was “speared” on the play, which Friedgen said should have resulted in an ejection.

Friedgen said Ross suffered an ACL injury and is done for the year.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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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.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Starting Maryland quarterback Chris Turner is done for the day with a knee injury.

Defensive lineman Isaiah Ross also suffered a knee injury and did not return.

Turner emerged from the stadium tunnel in the second half wearing black sweats and a black T-shirt. He was injured after being hit on an incomplete pass in the second quarter and limped off the field.

Backup Jamar Robinson entered on the next possession and dropped the first snap out of the shotgun formation. Maryland recovered the fumble but didn’t score.

Robinson didn’t throw a pass on his first series.

N.C. State 31, Maryland 21 third quarter
Terps turnovers: one

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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From third and 19 from own his own 33, Maryland quarterback Chris Turner was hit on an inside rush and limped off the field with help with 4:33 left before halftime.

Turner headed into the Maryland locker room.

Backup quarterback Jamarr Robinson entered on Maryland's next possession and fumbled the first snap. The Terps recovered the fumble. But Robinson didn't attempt a pass on his first series, which ended with a blocked Maryland field goal.

For those fans who wanted to see Robinson, this is your chance. The question is whether Maryland coaches trust Robinson's passing enough to let him try to exploit N.C. State's porous defense.

N.C. State 24, Maryland 21, second quarter.
Terps turnovers: one

Posted by Jeff Barker at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Representatives of the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the Champs Sports Bowl are present at Carter-Finley Stadium to watch Maryland-N.C. State – two teams that had combined for one win in the Atlantic Coast Conference entering their meeting.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl has the second pick of ACC teams. The Champs Sports Bowl has the fourth pick.

Here's a question. Why exactly are they here?

The representatives gave several reasons for attending:

*The ACC teams are so clumped together in the standings that most teams are scouted, even those with a remote chance of reaching a bowl.

*The bowl representatives select the games they will attend several weeks in advance. They couldn’t have known then exactly how Maryland’s and N.C. State’s seasons would unfold.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Maryland just tied the game at 14 when linebacker Alex Wujciak, the Terps leading tackler, stepped in front of tight end George Bryan to pick off a Russell Wilson pass.

He returned it 70 yards for Maryland’s first defensive touchdown since linebacker Erin Henderson got one in 2006.

Maryland 14, N.C. State 14, first quarter
Terps turnovers: one

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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It didn't take long.

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner’s first pass was intercepted in the flat by defensive end Willie Young. Only 13 seconds had elapsed in the game when N.C. State took over on Maryland’s 21.
Two plays later, Russell Wilson fired a touchdown pass over the middle to 17 yards to tight end George Bryan to put the Wolfpack ahead, 7-0.

TBut the Terps, going no-huddle, drove 69 yards in 10 plays on their next possession, tying the game on a third-and-inches leap into the end zone by Davin Meggett.

Maryland 7, N.C. State 7
Terps turnovers: 1

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland coaches say they've been trying in recent weeks to accomplish two goals at once -- win games and allow young players, including quarterbacks, to get some game experience.

Coach Friedgen acknowledged today that it's a difficult balancing act. When you're 2-6 you tend to get desperate for a win.

"I'm in a real dilemma there," Fridge said. "I don’t think [freshman quarterback] Danny [O'Brien] really wants to play -- I think he'd rather redshirt. Obviously I want to do everything we need to do to win games, but then we go into next year without a really experienced quarterback."

Maryland has played 10 true freshmen -- the most in Friedgen's nine-year Maryland tenure.

The number may grow. Fridge said freshman running back D.J. Adams will travel to N.C. State. Adams is still behind Davin Meggett, Caleb Porzel and Gary Douglas (shoulder), who appears ready to return. Morgan Green (groin) is out.

Another true freshman who could play is promising offensive lineman Pete White. The line will be further thinned because offensive lineman Bennett Fulper (shoulder) is out for the season and will undergo surgery, Fridge said.

The N.C. State game will mark Maryland's return from its bye week. Quarterback Chris Turner said he took off and went to Fort Lauderdale, where he played some flag football. There could be an easy joke here about whether he got intercepted, but I'll refrain.

"I’m just trying to go out, have fun and really make these last few weeks count starting this Saturday," Turner said of the remaining four games.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
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No doubt Maryland will give more playing time to younger players in the last four games. At 2-6, the program can probably afford to pay more heed to the future without jeopardizing a bowl bid that is unlikely at best.

But I'm not expecting wholesale lineup changes the rest of the way.

Consider these statements from coach Friedgen today.

One one hand, he said: "We'd obviously like to look at some kids we think can help us win and we think have a future. If it's close or even, I think we've got to play the younger guy."

But Fridge didn't sound completely like a man who is ready to look past this year. He's too competitive for that and I think he's too loyal to some of his older players to sit them down.

"Just knowing my nature, I want to win. I'm going to do everything I can to win," the coach said.

By the way, Fridge and offensive coordinator James Franklin reiterated what they've been saying the past few weeks, which is that they'll look for opportunities for backup quarterback Jamar Robinson to play.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Maryland has already played more true freshmen than coach Friedgen had hoped when the season began.

Here are the numbers and players:

Maryland has played 10 first-year players – mostly on defense. The list includes linebackers Darin Drakeford, Avery Murray and Ryan Donohue; defensive linemen Zach Kerr, Justin Anderson and Isaiah Ross; offensive lineman Bennett Fulper; running back Caleb Porzel; kicker Nick Ferrara; and defensive back Eric Franklin.

It’s the most true freshmen to play in Friedgen’s nine-year Maryland tenure, the school said. The previous high was eight in 2004.

I asked Fridge whether 10 was more than he had hoped and intended given the team's desire to preserve a good number of redshirt seasons.

"That’s definitely more than we would have liked,” Friedgen said Sunday. “The positive thing about that is they’ve played pretty well.”

Eric Franklin became the10th freshman to play after safety Antwine Perez was injured against Duke.

There's more on this in a story upcoming for tomorrow's paper.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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Will the Terps turnovers ever end?

Will their losses stop accumulating?

Will it ever stop raining? Actually, it did stop raining as soon as the Terps busses departed from Duke. No joke. The sun even briefly came out.

Here are some notes and analysis. Some of this will appear in my updated game story but I wanted to get it to you now.

*Maryland can't run. The Terps rushed for 67 yards. Seeking a spark, the Terps started true freshman Caleb Porzel at tailback. Porzel finished with 15 carries for 28 yards. “I thought we’d get more out of Porzel. I don’t know if the field was a problem or what,” coach Friedgen said.

Of course, Porzel was running behind an injury-depleted line. The injuries forced offensive tackle Paul Pinegar to play guard against Duke.

*The conditions were abysmal. But Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis – who had completed 40 of 50 passes against N.C. State in his last game – nevertheless managed to complete 30 of 43 passes for 371 yards.

Duke had particular success on crossing routes to freshman Conner Vernon, who had five catches for 102 yards, and to others. Maryland linebacker Alex Wujciak said the Terps tried to adjust in the second half by dropping a linebacker deeper into coverage.

*The Terps couldn't get the ball to Torrey Smith. They tried one "wildcat" direct snap that lost a yard. Smith also caught two balls for 13 yards. Partly owing to the conditions, the Terps played a possession game and threw short passes to Adrian Cannon, who caught six for 66 yards.

*Tony Logan took a calculated risk by fielding a puntl on the run in wet conditions toward the end of the game. His fumble snuffed out Maryland's last chance.

Continue reading "Another rainy day for Terps " »

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
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The Terps are hanging in by about a yard.

Leading 17-13, Duke drove to the Maryland 2, where quarterback Thaddeus Lewis fumbled and the ball was recovered by defensive tackle Travis Ivey. That kept the Terps in the game.

The Terps had made it 17-13 when Davin Meggett took a screen pass, made a cut and outran the defense for a 67-yard touchdown – Maryland’s longest play from scrimmage this season.

The Terps have turned the ball over zero times. That's right.

By the way, safety Antwine Perez is not seriously hurt but did not return to the game.

Duke 17, Maryland 13, zero Terps turnovers. Fourth quarter.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
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Maryland safety Antwine Perez lay on the field after a head-first tackle with 49 seconds to go in the first quarter.

Head coach Ralph Friedgen came out to midfield to see his player. Perez was immobilized and taken out on a stretcher.

Duke began the game with 12 straight pass plays. Harder to pass now that the rain has intensified, but it's what the Blue Devils do.

Maryland, which started Caleb Porzel at running back, forced the only turnover so far -- a Duke fumble.

Duke 7, Maryland 3, 0 Maryland turnovers (second quarter)

Posted by Jeff Barker at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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*It’s raining off an on here at Wallace Wade Stadium (umbrellas popping up in he bleacher seats). Could keep the crowd down and – possibly – affect the passing game.

*From the press box, the Blue Devils uniforms look like the old Baltimore Colts – similar color blue and similar dual shoulder stripes. If I see “41,” I’m going to think it’s Tom Matte.

*I expect to see Maryland finding inventive ways to get the ball to Torrey Smith, who played some quarterback in high school.

*The early world is Caleb Porzel might start at running back. He'll play plenty either way.

*The Duke press box is incorporated into a building that also houses a medical complex. A sign coming up the elevator asked “patients” to sign in at the desk. This is a first for me – sports writers sharing space with people who have been diagnosed as ill. The positive dimension here is that there are plenty of hand sanitizers around.

Maryland 0, Duke 0 Terps turnovers: 0

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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*RB Gary Douglas (shoulder) won’t play, leaving the running load largely to Davin Meggett and freshman Caleb Porzel, who is expected to get more action than last week’s six carries. I enjoy watching the speedy Porzel run. Morgan Green and D.J. Adams are the other running backs making the trip.

*Fridge said Terps have practiced well despite their recent play.

“The mood of the team is frustrated, but I haven’t seen it affect their effort,” he said. “It’s more of a ‘Let’s get it right.’ It’s been a very physical week [of practices], and not by design by me. I think we’re mad right now.”

*Duke RB Re'quan Boyette (knee) is out. QB Thaddeus Lewis threw touchdowns to five receivers in a 49-28 win over N.C. State. This is obviously a dangerous Duke offense.

*I expect Terps to try a few direct snaps to Torrey Smith. They're looking to get him the ball as often as possible. Maryland tried it once for no gain last week. Smith has quarterback experience, by the way, from high school.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Quarterback Chris Turner says it was all a misunderstanding.

He says he heard about coach Friedgen's statements after the Virginia game that the coach wanted to get some game time for backups Jamarr Robinson and Danny O'Brien.

Turner says perhaps he was feeling a little insecure. So he needed to check with the coaches and make sure nothing had changed regarding his starting position.

Turner said he learned that the plan -- as it had been for some time -- was to bring in Robinson for a series from time to time and perhaps get a look at O'Brien. But Turner's status had not changed.

"It's over," Turner said of the little drama.

Now, Turner says he simply needs to relax and play football. He said he believes he's a better quarterback than last season and hopes the results the rest of the season will bear that out.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
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Quarterback Chris Turner's father, John, has posted frequently on insidemdsports.com. He writes about the play of the Terps and defends his son. In September, he posted about his experiences at the Cal game and how he believed some of the fans in Berkeley were rude to his family.

But no post is likely to get as much buzz as his thread over the weekend saying that Maryland should replace athletic director Debbie Yow.

I contacted him to verify that it was indeed his post. He told me that he was making a stand on behalf of the football program. He seemed surprised that his thoughts were worthy of much attention.

John Turner is often referred to in the media by his former occupation -- the original drummer in Ratt, a hard-rock band whose motto was "Ratt 'n' Roll."

I had seen John Turner featured on the Ralph Friedgen television show and I knew he was a vocal fan. Never more so, it seems, than last weekend.

Here's the link to the scoop in today's paper, with Yow's response.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
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Offensive coordinator James Franklin says he assured Chris Turner that he is the starting quarterback.

"Chris texted me Sunday and wanted to know if anything had changed, and I said, 'No,' " Franklin said.

Franklin said the plan all season has been to find playing time for backup Jamarr Robinson in the right spots.

Robinson had been set to play some against Clemson a few weeks ago, Franklin said. But the quarterback strained a back muscle prior to the game.

Franklin said there "is no doubt" that Turner as a starter gives the Terps the best chance to win.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Here is Torrey Smith's take on Maryland quarterback Chris Turner.

“From the outside looking in – with the media and fans – it might look like he’s doing a terrible job,” the wide receiver said.

“More than likely it’s a lot of stuff that isn’t him,” Smith said. “Chris is a guy, when he’s confident and protected, he’s one of the best quarterbacks out there.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Coach Friedgen said today he is worried that senior quarterback Chris Turner misunderstood comments the coach made indicating he might want to play two of his younger quarterbacks this season.

“I’m going to talk to Chris. I think he misconstrued some of the things I said,” Friedgen said at team’s media lunch on Tuesday.

Friedgen had told reporters Sunday night he intends to play sophomore quarterback Jamarr Robinson -- and perhaps freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien -- sometime soon. He said “it’s a not a reflection on Chris” but that coaches need to begin to assess their young quarterbacks and provide them game experience.

Today, Friedgen emphasized that he wasn’t dissatisfied with Turner.
“I’m not down on Chris at all. I think he’s one of our leaders, one of our captains. It wasn’t any disrespect towards Chris,” the coach said.

Turner ranks fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in passing. He has completed 141 of 244 passes (57.8 percent) with nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He has been pressured more this season than last – and the running game has been less effective – because of the team’s inexperienced offensive line.

Asked today whether other quarterbacks might get a shot, Friedgen replied: “We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to win games right now. We’re not disenchanted with Chris. If we’re not doing better, then it’s a thing where we’ve got to look at next year.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Coach Friedgen said he intends to play backup quarterback Jamarr Robinson -- and perhaps freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien -- sometime soon.

He said coaches need to begin to assess their young quarterbacks and provide them game experience. Starting quarterback Chris Turner is a fifth-year senior.

"Its not a reflection on Chris. We’re not winning and we need to make some plans for the future," Friedgen said today.

Robinson is a redshirt sophomore. O'Brien is a freshman who has impressed the coaching staff.

"We don’t start doing better, we’ve got to start looking at the future, too," Fridge said. "We’re definitely going to use Jamarr. It's just a question of whether we use O'Brien too."

Injury updates:
*LB Demetrius Hartsfield, who played Saturday with a broken hand, had surgery Sunday and is out about four weeks -- longer than coaches had anticipated.

*Punter Travis Baltz (ankle) is due back against Duke on Saturday. He played as a holder against Virginia on Nick Ferrara's field-goal attempts.

*Running back Gary Douglas (shoulder) is questionable for Saturday.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
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What else can you look at tonight but turnovers?

Virginia couldn’t navigate up and down the field on its own. It needed some help. It got it.

Consider that the Cavaliers finished with 201 yards. It was the lowest total offense by a Maryland opponent since Florida International got 163 yards in 2007.

Virginia had all of nine first downs. The Cavs also were without their starting tailback due to injury and lost quarterback Jameel Sewell near the end of the third quarter.

Virginia coach Al Groh said the Cavs were playing for turnovers. Was this because the weather conditions were sloppy or because the Terps have acquired a reputation for putting the ball on the turf? It wasn't clear.

“I think the weather was a big factor. The balls were pretty slick,” said Maryland quarterback Chris Turner.

But he also said the team “can’t make excuses right now.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
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With Maryland leading 9-6, quarterback Chris Turner’s pass was tipped and landed in the hands of Virginia defensive end Nate Collins.

Collins returned it 32 yards for a touchdown with 1:43 left in the third quarter.

The Maryland turnovers are really what's keeping Virginia in the game.

The question is, can the Terps overcome themselves and find a way to win?

By the way, Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell was injured on a running play and was helped off the field. Junior Marc Verica entered and missed his first two passes.

Virginia 13, Maryland 9, fourth quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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The Terps had four sacks and a fumble recovery in the first half. That's my big halftime statistic.

Virginia has only five first downs and minus-two net rushing yards to go along with 107 passing yards.

Maryland can run a little -- 81 yards in the half. If they can avoid turnovers, they should win. But I've been saying that for most of the season.

Halftime-Maryland 6, UVA 3.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland is applying pressure on Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell.

The Terps have four sacks in the first half and have forced a fumble. In other words, the blitzes are working today.

But...

Running backs Davin Meggett and Gary Douglas have fumbled for Maryland. Virginia couldn’t directly turn either turnover into points.

A third fumble by Kerry Boykins was recovered by Maryland’s Torrey Smith.

Maryland entered Saturday’s play with 16 turnovers in six games.

This is a field-position game, and the Terps will give away huge swaths of yards if they keep turning it over.

UVA 3, Maryland 3, second quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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Somehow, the Terps are going to have to protect quarterback Chris Turner against Virginia and create some holes for the dormant running game.

In other words, I see the key to the game as how effective -- or not -- Maryland's offensive line can be.

That's a concern in every game, of course. But blocking for the run game is especially important on Saturday because the Cavaliers have a pretty good pass defense.

Virginia hasn’t allowed more than 190 yards passing in a game this season and surrenders an average pf 163.2 passing yards per outing -- 15th fewest nationally.

But teams did have some success running against the Cavs, at least earlier in the season. Virginia’s rush defense gave up more than 200 yards in losses to Southern Mississippi and TCU.

By the way, it's looking like Virginia RB Mikell Simpson will not play because of a neck injury.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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Maryland is looking at playing linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield on Saturday with a broken hand. Hartsfield would have the hand encased in a club-like wrap or cast.

Hartsfield suffered the injury last week at Wake Forest.

"If he starts favoring it and can't tackle, then I’ll get another guy in there," coach Friedgen said today. "I am a little concerned about it. He's basically playing with one hand."

Also: Defensive tackle Joe Vellano (stress fracture) has been practicing "at full speed," the coach said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Terps would need to go 4-2 over their last six games just to be bowl eligible. The odds of that happening may seem steep, but Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen can't help thinking about it. That's his job.

"If there’s any strength I draw from our players, it’s the fact that it was 35-10 [at halftime vs. Wake] and everything was going wrong and we had some injuries and yet we played a lot better in the second half,” he said. “That game could [have] come down to an onside kick with us three points down."

More Fridge: “I draw strength from that because of the type of players we have that they hung in there. I’ve been in other situations where that wasn’t necessarily the case. I still have a lot of optimism about this season and I’m hoping we can get a win this weekend and then see where we are health-wise by the stretch run at the end. I haven’t changed in the way I feel about these guys."

Thanks, as always, to Sun reporter Sandra McKee for her assistance.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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Running back Mikell Simpson had four touchdowns in Virginia's 47-7 victory over Indiana on Saturday night.

But Terps fans, of course, remember Simpson for something else -- that nationally televised 18-17 Virginia win in 2007, in which the tailback shredded Maryland with 271 all-purpose yards. And he was still a reserve at the time.

Simpson caught 13 passes in a game that is one of Maryland's most notorious in recent years, because the Cavaliers drove 90 yards at the end to win it. Sorry to remind all of you Terps fans. Not that you'd forgotten anyways.

Simpson hurt his neck Saturday. But coach Al Groh indicates he might play. If he does, the coach said he'll need Simpson to be prepared not only as a runner, but also as a pass blocker against blitzes.

"Maryland does bring a variety of different-looking schemes which will be challenging, not only to the offensive line, but particularly to the backs," Groh said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland did not enjoy much success in the season's first half, but coach Ralph Friedgen says he admires his team's work ethic. The Terps may be young, weakened by injuries and winners of only two of six games, but Fridge says they are practicing with the same enthusiasm as before.

"I haven’t changed how I feel about these guys. They came out and practiced hard last night," he said.

"If anything, I’m proud of them. We’ve got some guys that are nicked up and I’m trying to take it easy on them a little bit so we can get them well, but yet they still want to go. That’s a thing I appreciate very much and kind of love them for it," the coach said.

And here's Fridge on kick returner-wide receiver Torrey Smith, who has emerged as a star this season:

"The type of individual he is, I would be proud to have him as my son. He’s just a great human being. He’s very popular on the team. He’s a very caring person. Last week in the locker room, in the second half and also after the game, he just refused to quit. He’s very special to me."

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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LB Demetrius Hartsfield broke two bones in his hand against Wake Forest Saturday night and will require surgery, followed by about three weeks of recovery, coach Friedgen said Sunday. It’s uncertain when he will undergo the surgery and whether he might be able to play beforehand.

LB Adrian Moten, who suffered a thigh contusion against Wake Forest, is probable for Saturday’s Virginia game. Offensive linemen Lamar Young (shoulder) and Bruce Campbell (knee) are questionable.

The losses and injuries are mounting. Coach Friedgen is still optimistic -- what choice does he have?

He notes that despite their lapses, the Terps still have only one conference loss -– the same as Atlantic Division rival Wake Forest and fewer than the other division teams.

“I don’t think were out of this thing,” Fridge said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Some of this will appear in my updated game story, but here it is for you now:

It's one thing for Maryland’s blitzing defense to bewilder a freshman quarterback in a win over Clemson.

It's quite another to shut down a poised, senior Wake Forest quarterback who entered Saturday night’s game as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s hottest passer.

Quarterback Riley Skinner made the Terps pay for their gambling defense.

“They threw a lot of screens into the pressure and Skinner is good about seeing the pressure,” coach Friedgen said. “They’ve got a veteran offensive line that gave Skinner enough time to look downfield.”

The Demon Deacons surpassed 500 yards in a game for the first time since 2005.
“He (Skinner) is probably the best quarterback we’ve played,” said linebacker Alex Wujciak, who had 11 tackles.

Too often for the Terps, blitzes fell short. Downfield, Maryland defenders were getting faked out, missing tackles or both.

“We’re better than this. We know we are,” Wujciak said.

Maryland's offense improved in a second half in which Chris Turner had three touchdown pases. Turner finished with 307 passing yards and was credited with 16 runs.

But, after seeming to grow up the past few weeks, the defense is again a concern, particularly with injuries to linebackers Demetrius Hartsfield (hand) and Adrian Moten (thigh contusion).
.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
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Maryland LB Demetrius Hartsfield broke his hand and LB Adrian Moten suffered a thigh contusion -- more bad news for a beleaguered defense.

That came on top of losing 42-32 to Wake Forest and surrendering 516 total yards.

"We obviously played poorly in the first half," coach Friedgen said of the opening 30 minutes that saw Wake take a 35-10 lead.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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I had said before the game that I was interested to see how fifth-year Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner would handle Maryland's blitzes.

Terps fans, you know the answer but you don't have to like it.

How did Skinner do?

He led touchdown drives on the Demon Deacons’ first five possessions of the game.

The drives went 67, 80, 66, 57 and 77 yards to give Wake Forest a 35-10 lead in the second quarter.

Wake had only one punt in the first half, and it came with under two minutes remaining.

Maryland's gambling defense needs to be sharp or else it gets burned. Tonight, it's gambling -- and losing. The blitzes are falling short. Downfield, Terps defenders are getting faked out or missing tackles or both.

Wake Forest 35, Maryland 10, halftime

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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QB Riley Skinner, Wake Forest's fifth-year senior, has led touchdown drives on his first three possessions.

The drives went 67, 80 and 66 yards and Wake Forest leads 21-7 early in the second.

How badly does Maryland a stop?

The 21 points were Wake's highest in the first quarter this season.

Total offense? Wake had 213 at the end of the period and Maryland had 22.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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Wake is using quick passes and draw plays to neutralize Maryland’s frequent blitzes.

For example, on Wake's second possession, QB Riley Skinner threw 25 yards to Josh Adams on a play in which safety Kenny Tate blitzed.

Wake has nearly 150 yards on its first two possessions.

Caleb Porzel made his first carry for Maryland and lost three yards.

Wake Forest 14, Maryland 7, first quarter.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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With Maryland down 7-0, Torrey Smith took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards, setting up Maryland on the Wake 15. The Terps scored in five plays on a 1-yard Davin Meggett run to tie the game.

Smith is just having a wondrous season.

Relying on the run, Wake Forest drove 67 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead on its first possession.

Josh Adams took a handoff, bounced outside and took off down the sidelines, evading Demetrius Hartsfield to score from 48 yards out.

Other notes:

*Terps all in white tonight -- white jerseys and white pants. Demon Deacons in black pants and black jerseys. Wake Forest has won eight of its past nine games wearing all black, so the Terps are in a heap of trouble tonight (that was a joke).

*It was raining early here at cozy BB&T Field (cap. 31,500) but now it's merely cloudy, so the weather doesn't appear to be a factor.

*Meggett carried the Maryland flag onto the field, waving it at the red-clad Maryland section in the corner of the stands.

Maryland 7, Wake Forest 7, first quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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I wrote a story for today on Maryland's defense, which interests me because it's obviously a work in progress.

Defensive coordinator Don Brown compared Maryland's defense to what he had at UMass when he was coordinator there.

"When I went in '98 to UMass, it took us about six or seven games, and then over the last bit of the season right through the [Division I-AA] national championship game we played really well," Brown said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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I'm looking forward to...

*Seeing the pressure that Maryland's defense can apply to QB Riley Skinner against a highly experienced Wake line. That's a big factor tonight -- can the Deacons neutralize Maryland's linebacker and safety blitzes that pressured Clemson QB Kyle Parker last week? If Wake can handle that pressure, it could lead to some long plays for Skinner. As you know, blitzes are a calculated risk. Of course, the Terps know that Skinner is a fifth-year senior and a much different player than the freshman Parker.

*Seeing if one of Maryland's freshman running backs -- Caleb Porzel or D.J. Adams -- can make an impact. Offensive coordinator James Franklin likes to say that Adams runs "like he's mad at you." And Porzel is very quick. Coaches have indicated that one of these guys may play.

*Seeing if yet another Maryland game comes down to the last minute. It just seems like that's what happens when you have so many teams in the ACC with little to separate them.

We'll be offering live analysis and statistics during the game.

By the way, look for some Terps basketball predictions on the blog Monday morning.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Starting left tackle Bruce Campbell (knee) won't be able to play against Wake Forest, Coach Friedgen said.

Fridge had been holding out hope that Campbell might make the trip.

Also out is another lineman, backup Danny Edwards (concussion).

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Due to popular demand, I just asked Coach Friedgen about running back Morgan Green's status and why he seems to have moved down on the depth chart.

With Da'Rel Scott out, Maryland's main backs are Davin Meggett and Gary Douglas. Freshmen D.J. Adams and Caleb Porzel -- whom the coaches like a lot -- are waiting in the wings.

Here was Fridge's response:

"(There's) not really an issue. We haven't given up on Morgan. We just see these other kids coming on," the coach said. "He's kind of doing the same thing, he hasn’t really progressed."

He said things could change and that Green, who has been practicing on special teams, could still earn playing time.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
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The Terps will honor the late Jack Heise, the longtime Terrapins benefactor, alumnus and devout fan known as “Mr. Maryland.”

“I’m not sure all the kids today really know who he (Heise) is,” coach Friedgen said. “I’m going to put his initials on our helmets for the rest of the season.”

Heise, 84, collapsed and died Monday of a cranial hemorrhage after driving home from a dinner honoring Marvin Perry, a fellow Terps booster who died in 2006.

Heise, who graduated from the school in 1947 and married a former Terrapins cheerleader, was all about Maryland.

He had attended almost every football and men’s basketball game, home and away, for more than 50 years. The school said he missed only three Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball tournaments since 1946.

There's more on Heise -- and the letters he regularly wrote to Maryland coaches -- in a story I wrote for today's paper.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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You may have noticed Maryland has been rotating its running backs. Last week, it was Da'Rel Scott, Davin Meggett and Gary Douglas.

Look for more of the rotations against Wake Forest Saturday, minus the injured Scott.

"We're planning on doing the same thing this week with Davin, Gary and D.J. (Adams) and possibly (Caleb) Porzel playing," said offensive coordinator James Franklin, who didn't include Morgan Green on the list.

Would it be hard for Maryland to burn a redshirt season for one of the freshman backs (Adams or Porzel)?

"To be honest with you, most of these guys want to play," Franklin said.

Franklin said he has no concerns about the play of Meggett, who fumbled last week and hasn't been quite as effective as last season. Franklin said that's a function of Maryland's offensive line needing to open more holes.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
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Hard to believe Maryland could have a letdown after a single ACC win, but Fridge said he needs to make sure.

“They’ve been working so hard to get better and then the ball finally bounced our way Saturday and we were able to get a win,” coach Friedgen said. “I think it’s human nature to just want to go ‘ahhh,’ you know. And relax. And you can’t relax. You’ve got to keep going and it’s my job to keep us going."

Clearly, this is a team that isn't good enough or established enough to win without playing its best .

As expected, Davin Meggett appears to be the No. 1 running back now despite his fourth-quarter fumble against Clemson.

“I fumbled last Saturday. I forgot it Saturday night,” said Meggett, the team’s second-leading rusher with 134 yards. “I was reminded of it Sunday and Monday. When we returned to practice I was punished for it. Today, Tuesday, there is no such thing as a fumble. I don’t fumble.”

Friedgen said Meggett and redshirt freshman Gary Douglas will help carry the load in Scott’s absence, as will true freshmen D.J. Adams and Caleb Porzel.

And what of running back Morgan Green?

“He isn’t totally out of the picture, but we want to see these young guys,” the coach said.

And one more thanks to Sun reporter Sandra McKee for her help...

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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There's still a chance that left tackle Bruce Campbell (knee) could play against Wake Forest.

“Right now, Bruce is not out of our plans for this week,” coach Friedgen said. “We’ll see how it develops.”

But the coach said junior right tackle Paul Pinegar, 6-4, 290 pounds, who played for Campbell after the injury Saturday, is working at left tackle.

“I’ve played two games on each side of the line,” Pinegar said. “I’m able to play left and right. We’ve had a few games without Bruce and we know our other guards can step up. But it’s a bad thing with [running back] Da’Rel [Scott] being out. We’ve got to get our running game going and that means our offensive line has to make holes.”

More coming. Thanks to Sun reporter Sandra Mckee for her help with Terps coverage today.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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We're all critics, I know. But you've got to concede that Maryland's defense is improving.

Look at it this way:

Maryland's defense gave up 52 points to Cal, then 28 points to James Madison (one of James Madison's touchdowns came with Maryland's offense on the field, so I don't count that against the defense).

Then Maryland surrendered 32 points to Middle Tennessee State. That averages out to 37.3 points given up per game.

But in the last two weeks, the defense gave up 20 points versus Rutgers (two of the Scarlet Knights' touchdowns were defensive) and 15 points versus Clemson (one of the Tigers' touchdowns came on a kickoff return, but I count the two-point conversion against the defense).

That's an average of 17.5 points surrendered the last two weeks -- a vast improvement from earlier poor performances. I'm not saying the defense is perfect, only that it is improving and that it has played two good games in a row. The unit did have a late letdown against Rutgers.

Consider also that Maryland's defense has often been placed in tough positions because the offense has repeatedly turned the ball over. Terps fans can only hope the defense continues this upward arc.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Sometimes I can see things from the press box that you don't see on the TV broadcast. But sometimes, the reverse is true.

So, come on people. Why didn't anybody alert me that Ronnie Tyler's touchdown catch on a low Chris Turner throw at the end of Saturday's first half was, well, perhaps not an actual touchdown. I watched the television replay many times in my basement. It sort of looked like the ball hit the ground. Actually, that's exactly what it looked like.

I guess the Terps, who haven't had the best of luck this season, can count that one as payback.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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Maryland (2-3, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), which entered the Clemson game having lost three of its four non-conference games, suddenly finds itself as the only team in the ACC’s Atlantic Division without a league loss. You wouldn't have thought that "Maryland" and "first place" would go together after the first four games.

“This game with Wake (Saturday) is a very big game for us,” Fridge said today. “Clemson and Florida State were the teams to beat in this division, and both of them have two losses now.”

Boston College, Wake Forest and N.C. State all have one loss in the division. The Terrapins and N.C. State are the only Atlantic Division teams to have played just one league game.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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*Running back Da’Rel Scott, who topped 1,000 yards last season, will be out at least five games with a broken wrist, and starting left tackle Bruce Campbell will miss Saturday’s Wake Forest game, head coach Ralph Friedgen said today.

Scott broke his radius, a bone in the forearm that extends to the thumb side of the wrist, Fridge told reporters in his weekly conference call. The tailback might be able to wear a flexible cast later in the season, but “we have to see if he can handle the football or not,” the coach said.

A team doctor told Friedgen that Scott might return for the Florida State game on Nov. 21 – the second-to-last game of the regular season. Scott suffered the break when he hit the ground on the Terps' first series of the second half against Clemson. Maryland upset the Tigers, 24-21.

Campbell, one of the anchors of a largely inexperienced offensive line, suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to a knee. He was scheduled to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Monday to determine the severity. Right tackle Paul Pinegar, a former walk-on, moved from right tackle to left tackle on Saturday after Campbell went down. Campbell is out next week -- and perhaps beyond.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin says fans often ask him why Maryland doesn’t try an option attack.

Franklin says he gears his offense to his personnel. The implication has been that quarterback Chris Turner, who is not a fast runner, wasn’t suited to a dual-purpose role.

But Franklin has grown progressively more comfortable with Turner as a runner. That was evident Saturday.The results were mixed.

In Saturday’s first half alone, Turner carried seven times and was Maryland’s leading rusher. A Turner run came up short on a fourth-and-one play with the Terps clinging to a 24-21 lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The quarterback finished with 17 carries for 34 yards, not including losses sustained in sacks.

Turner is 6-feet-4 and 210 pounds and uses his size to bull for yards. He admits he doesn’t possess quickness, saying his runs are “pretty funny sometimes.”

Maryland employed a no-huddle offense at times on Saturday – a scheme Turner likes.
“I’m a big fan of the no-huddle offense. It’s a good change-up,” he said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
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Maryland field goal kicker Nick Ferrara says he has been punting for years. But the freshman had never started a college game as the punter until Saturday. Ferrara, subbing for the injured Travis Baltz, could hardly have performed better.

Ferrara’s first punt traveled 61 yards, pinning Clemson at its 4-yard-line.His second punt went 53 yards and was angled toward the sideline so that it could not be returned. That was important because Clemson is among the nation’s best teams at returning punts and kicks.

Later, Ferrara kicked a career-best 43-yard field goal.

Ferrara did kick off short in the second quarter – a nine-yarder that landed near the Clemson 35.
But he later pinned Clemson at its 9-yard-line with a punt in the third quarter – all in all, a good (and busy) day.

“Nick just did an extraordinary job,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Some of this may appear in a game story and a notebook to follow,, but I wanted to get it you now:

*It would be hard to overstate how badly the Terps (2-3, 1-0 ACC) needed the win, which resulted largely from holding Clemson to 274 yards, the fewest allowed by Maryland this year. The Terps held running back C.J. Spiller, who on Saturday became the ACC’s career leader in all-purpose yards, to 72 rushing yards and held the Tigers to 4-of-16 on third downs.

* Coach Ralph Friedgen had been desperate for his young Terps to find a foothold to lift a team that had been mired in turnovers and penalties. “I was praying we would find a way to win this thing,” Friedgen said. He insisted he was not fazed by Maryland fans’ criticism during the previous four games, but his post-game comments were delivered haltingly and with obvious emotion. “I don’t care about what you say or what you write. I’ve been at this 41 years,” he said.

*. Clinging to a 24-21 lead, the Terps went for it on fourth and one from its 30 with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter. Friedgen questioned his own judgment on the fourth-down decision, which was supported by his top assistant coaches.

“Fourth down was probably not a smart call for me. (Offensive coordinator) James (Franklin wanted to go for it, the kids wanted to go for it," Fridge said. "I knew our defense was tired. I was letting my emotions get involved, not my brain.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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RB Da'Rel Scott broke his wrist.

Coach Friedgen said he's probably out for the season. Scott had over 1,000 yards last season.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Maryland made the decision to go on fourth and one from its 30 with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter and the Terps clinging to a 24-21 lead.

But Chris Turner’s quarterback sneak came up short.

Clemson couldn’t move the ball and Richard Jackson missed a 47-yard attempt that could have tied the game.

But Maryland fumbled the ball right back to the Tigers.

Maryland 24, Clemson 21, fourth quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Not that I'm a coach, but I think Tony Logan won Maryland's punt return job, which has been handled by committee so far this season.

With Maryland leading 17-13, Tony Logan caught a punt and appeared to be hemmed in near the sideline. But Logan, employed as a punt returner after Anthony Wiseman’s first-quarter fumble, cut back across the field and went 43 yards to the Clemson 1.

On third down, Chris Turner pitched to Davin Meggett, who cut inside and scored to make it 24-13 with 4:27 left in the third quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, C.J. Spiller broke free of Anthony Wiseman’s grasp and went 92 yards for a touchdown to cut Maryland’s lead to 24-19. A two-point conversion made it 24-21 with 4;11 left in the third quarter.

Maryland 24, Clemson 21 end of third quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Da'Rel Scott has an arm injury and will not return today.

Gary Douglas and Davin Meggett are now playing running back. Those two were already alternating carries with Scott before the injury.

Maryland 17, Clemson 13 third quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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RB Da'Rel Scott is injured. He was sitting on the field surrounded by training staff. Scott walked to a cart and was driven away.

Scott said something to his replacement, Davin Meggett, before leaving and waved to the crowd and pointed to his heart as he was carted away.

Maryland 17, Clemson 13 third quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland played its most inspired and sharpest half of the season and is leading Clemson 17-13 at the half.

I sensed Maryland began to gain momentum when Clemson was called for two false-start penalties in the waning moments of the first half. The Maryland crowd -- not into it earlier -- got progressively louder.

The Terps took over following a punt and went 81yards in nine plays. On third and 1 from the Clemson 11, Chris Turner kept the drive going by bulling up the middle for seven yards. On the next play, Ronnie Tyler hauled in Turner’s low, four-yard throw in the end zone to give Maryland a 17-13 lead with 35 seconds left in the half.

Maryland has held Clemson C.J. Spiller to 46 yards on 10 carries, and Jacoby Ford to two catches for 21 yards..

The Terps had one first down in the first quarter -- and 10 in the second.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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*Terps are right in this game, thanks largely to defense.

*Chris Turner has seemed a little off today. He badly overthrew Ronnie Tyler and then Gary Douglas on medium-range throws.

But then Turner threw 29 yards to all-world Torrey Smith, capping a drive that went 76 yards in nine plays. Smith made a leaping catch in the end zone to cut Clemson's lead to 13-10.

*Terps can't quite running game going -- six carries for 13 yards in the first quarter. They're turned to Gary Douglas to try to get things going.

*Clemson got a lucky bounce, leading to a field goal. On second and 7, quarterback Willy Korn’s pass went off Dwayne Allen’s hands and into the hands of Marquan Jones for a first down on the Maryland 28. Richard Jackson followed four plays later with a 51-yard field goal with 8:29 left before the half.

*Maryland's defense is frequently blitzing the safeties with mixed success. But again, the defense is playing well overall against a dangerous team.

Clemson 13, Terps 10 second quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Maryland's defense is improving from week to week. But the Terps simply can't afford to put extra pressure on its defense by turning the ball over.

Maryland had held Clemson to just one first down on the first two series. But, with the Terps about to take possession near midfield after Clemson's second possession, Anthony Wiseman fumbled the ball back to the Tigers on a punt return.

It was the 14th turnover of the season for Maryland, which had five last week – an alarming number that prompted head coach Ralph Friedgen to have his team work all week on holding onto the ball.

The miscue led to a 41-yard field goal by Richard Jackson, making it 3-0 with 6:06 left in the first quarter.

Clemson --beating repeated safety blitzes -- drove 79 yards in eight plays, taking a 10-0 lead on a 17-yard end around to Jacoby Ford with 1:23 left in the first quarter.

Clemson 10, Terps 0 at the end of first quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Terps are in black jerseys today for the first time this year. They're wearing red pants, forming a bit of an unusual combination.

Not that I'm a style maven, but I expected black pants with the black jerseys -- which is what we've occasionally seen from the Terps in the past.

This is different, of course, from the "blackout" game in which fans are encouraged to wear the black en masse. Maryland fans today are wearing their red as usual.

Last season, the Terps had one of their best and -- one of their worst-- games while wearing black.

They shut out Wake Forest, 26-0, but lost 37-3 to Florida State.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Running back Da'Rel Scott, who has fumbled three times in the past two games, has been seen walking around campus carrying a football.

Coach Friedgen said he suggested Scott keep the ball with him to focus on guarding against turnovers.

The coach said he got the idea from a football movie. Turns out it was "The Program."

Said Fridge: "I get very upset with turnovers. I’m trying to keep my poise."

Maryland's turnover ratio for the season is minus-10.

Fridge announced, by the way, that Lamar Young and Andrew Gonnella are likely to start at the guards, but that Bennett Fulper would get playing time. Maryland is still looking for the right combination on its inexperienced offensive line.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Field goal kicker Nick Ferrara will also be the punter against Clemson on Saturday.

He'll step in for punter Travis Baltz, who injured his foot last week when hit by a Rutgers player.

Coach Friedgen was asked whether this was a lot to place on Ferrara, a true freshman.

Fridge's reply was, in effect: What choice do I have?

Posted by Jeff Barker at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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Quarterback Chris Turner says he's been here before -- on a team that seemed to be going nowhere.

It was November 2007, and the Terps were 1-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference following a 16-13 loss to an inexperienced, turnover-prone North Carolina team that hadn't previously beaten Maryland since 2000.

It looked like Maryland had no shot the following week against Matt Ryan-led Boston College -- particularly since the Terps' offensive line had major injury problems.

"We came back and beat Boston College when they were (eighth) in the country," Turner said this week. "I've been down this road before and I'm just trying to preach that to a lot of the guys that it just takes one game."

Is Turner reaching here? There are few games that have surprised me more than that one at Boston College, won by the Terps, 42-35. I believe Maryland is capable of improvement this season. But I'm not sure the progress will be as dramatic as that memorable, one-week turnaround in 2007.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden sure set himself up for trouble last season.

There he was, heading into the Maryland game. Eager for his team to make a statement, Bowden said the Terps were going to be a “test” for his team and a counter to those who contended the Tigers weren’t playing physical football.

Clemson had been manhandled by Alabama in its opener and had won three in a row over less-than-stellar foes heading into the Maryland game.

Clemson looked like it would skate to victory, taking a 17-6 lead. And then the Tigers collapsed.
The big play came when Maryland linebacker Alex Wujciak stuffed quarterback Cullen Harper on fourth-and-inches to protect a 20-17 fourth-quarter lead for the Terps.

Bowden failed his self-described “test” and was gone a few weeks later.

By the way, Maryland coach Friedgen sounded almost defiant today in talking about his 1-3 team playing revenge-minded Clemson on Saturday in the Terps’ first Atlantic Coast Conference game of the season.

“I haven’t thrown in the towel one bit,” Friedgen said. “I’m still thinking about winning. I’m still thinking about winning the ACC. That’s just the way I am.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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You've probably seen the sites that list the college coaches considered to be on the "hot seat."

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen is among five coaches listed as on the hot seat by the CBS Sports college football Web page. Fox Sports’ site lists Friedgen as No. 3 on the endangered list among 10 coaches. “With a daunting schedule still ahead of them, things are not going to be merry in Maryland come December,” the Fox site said.

These sites are all about speculation, of course. But I was curious when and how Fridge would actually be assessed by Maryland. I wanted to bring some facts into the discussion. After reporting on the subject, I wrote a piece for today's paper.

The story notes an argument of Fridge's detractors -- that Maryland is 33-28 in the five seasons preceding this one and has struggled through four games this year. It also notes the case posed by Maryland Gridiron Network chairman Larry Grabenstein to judge the man on the larger body of work. "There are so many different ways to look at the job he has done -- from graduation rates to long-term performance on the field," Grabenstein said. "I look also at the development of character on the part of individuals. I’ve seen firsthand him relating to these kids.”

The bottom line is that Fridge, like all Maryland coaches, will be reviewed when the season is complete. That would seem to rule out a Clemson situation. You all remember how Clemson and Tommy Bowden parted ways six games into the 2008 season. I believe that Clemson's 20-17 loss to Maryland -- the Tigers blew a 17-6 lead at home -- contributed mightily to Bowden's departure.

Bowden wasn't the first coach to depart -- or at least announce his departure -- before the season was complete. It happened to Tyrone Willingham at Washington and Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee. But it doesn't seem as if it's going to happen at Maryland.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
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Here is the latest, folks. Much of this will appear in my story for Monday's paper, but wanted to get it to you now.

--More bad news: punter Travis Baltz awoke to find his non-kicking foot still badly swollen. Coach Friedgen said Baltz, an all-Atlantic Coast Conference player who was hit after a first-quarter punt, will be out at least two weeks.

Field-goal kicker Nick Ferrara is Baltz’s likely replacement, although Friedgen said he is concerned about placing too much of a load on the freshman.

--After reviewing video of the game, Friedgen says his players didn’t give up despite watching a competitive game dissolve into a fourth-quarter rout.

“I still don’t see it as lack of effort,” Friedgen said. “I thought our defense played really, really well until the end of the game. Their intensity and their execution was remarkable.”

Maryland held Rutgers to 129 yards total offense through three quarters. The Terps appeared to seize momentum with their defense in the third quarter. Trailing 13-10, the Scarlet Knights elected to go on fourth and goal from the one. Running back Jourdan Brooks was stood up by linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten and lost a yard. Wujciak sprinted 30 yards downfield to celebrate after the play.

But the Terps were slowed by two penalties on the next series and couldn’t move the ball. On Maryland’s next possession, Chris Turner fumbled in the end zone for a Rutgers touchdown.

And it all spiraled downward for Maryland from there.

--Friedgen said Maryland turnovers – there have been 13 in four games – have led to 61 opponents' points. He said securing the ball has been a focal point in practice.

“We do a lot of drills for it. It was a point of emphasis last week in practice, the scout-team guys stripping the ball,” the coach said.

Maryland also has used officials at practice to make sure the team is sensitive to penalties. But the message is not taking hold. Friedgen, by the way, said that offensive lineman Maurice Hampton, a redshirt sophomore, had three penalties.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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The candor award goes to quarterback Chris Turner:

"If we keep playing like this, we're not going to win a game the rest of the year," Turner said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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The optimism award goes to linebacker Alex Wujciak for this postgame quote:

"If we go undefeated in the ACC, we go to the Orange Bowl.'

By the way, a lengthier game story with quotes will be up on the site soon.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Some bad signs:

--Maryland seemed to sag in the fourth quarter -- not a good sign. In a span of less than a minute-and-a-half, Rutgers running back Joe Martinek ran for touchdowns of 29 and 61 yards to push the margin to 34-13.

“We were down seven and we give up a long run. We were down 14 and we give up another long run,” said linebacker Alex Wujciak, who led the Terps with 17 tackles. “It was eating me up because it didn’t look like we were pushing to finish the game out.”

--Fridge had talked last week about how badly his young Maryland team – eight Terps made their first career starts in the opening-game loss to Cal – needed a win to develop a positive self-image. He said he emphasized avoiding turnovers in practice and guarding against the penalties that had marked the season’s opening games.

But what Friedgen got from his players Saturday was more of the same. Five turnovers and 10 penalties.And just 28 rushing yards.

“Over the years, it’s been a trademark of ours that we didn’t do things like that. I don’t know what our turnover ratio is,” the coach said. “It’s got to be unbelievable.”

The Terps have lost 13 turnovers and claimed three.

--Maryland lost a valuable performer when punter Travis Baltz limped off the field in the first half.
Baltz was hit by Rutgers' Steve Beauharnais while punting from around his end zone. Baltz left the game in obvious pain.

Friedgen tried two replacements for Baltz -- junior Ted Townsley and freshman place kicker Nick Ferrara.

Townsley dropped the snap on his first punt in the third quarter. He scooped up the ball and punted it 29 yards to the Maryland 46.

Friedgen then made Ferrara the punter. Ferrara, listed as the third punter, has a strong leg and has said he enjoys punting. His first kick after Townsley's drop traveled 35 yards to the Rutgers 18 in the fourth quarter.

Baltz is an all-Atlantic Coast Conference punter. He led the league in punting average at 41.1 yards last season and is among nine players on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award. He is also the holder on Ferrara's field goal attempts. Friedgen said Baltz's ankle is "very, very swollen right now."

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
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Chris Turner now has thrown three picks and fumbled once.

Trailing 13-10, Rutgers took the lead when Turner was sacked and fumbled in the end zone.

Turner was hit by safety Joe Lefeged, who who swept the ball from the quarterback’s hands. Defensive end George Johnson recovered it to put the Scarlet Knights ahead 17-13 with 2:59 left in the third quarter.

Turnovers are the only way Rutgers wins this game. Rutgers now has two defensive touchdowns.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
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Terps are up 13-10 at the half.

Maryland has 200 yards total offense compared to Rutgers' 95.

The Terps can move the ball today. Best evidence: Maryland's last series of the half went
58 yards in 13 plays -- a long, confidence-building drive.

It ended with the Terps taking the lead on a 34-yard field goal by Nick Ferrara with 11 seconds left in he half.

It was drive that showed Turner’s maturation this season as a runner. From his 37-yard line, Turner seemed to feel safety Zaire Kitchen approaching on a blitz from behind him. The quarterback took off and ran 15 yards for a first down to the Rutgers 48.

But the Terps will need to avoid turnovers. Turner has been picked off twice.

But punter Travis Baltz has a sprained ankle and is out. He has been out since being hit by Rutgers' Steve Beauharnais while punting from his end zone. Baltz limped off the field.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Torrey Smith, the national leader in all-purpose yards, has three catches for 93 yards.
He also has 73 yards in kickoff return yardage.

Maryland 10, Rutgers 10 second quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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*You think Rutgers detected in its scouting that the Terps struggle to contain running quarterbacks? The Scarlet Knights keep inserting running threat Jabu Lovelace into the game at quarterback tro pressure the defense.

*Injured safety Jamari McCollough (foot) dressed but isn't in the game. That means Kenny Tate could be in for a lot of plays today as McCollough's replacement. But Fridge hasn't used Tate as a punt returner so far in the game.

Rutgers 10, Terps 3, second quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Chris Turner's first pass of the game resulted in a Rutgers touchdown. Antonio Lowery got an angle and stepped in front of Quintin McCree and took it 36 yards for a touchdown with all of 13 seconds elapsed.

Turner's second pass of the game went 45 yards to Torrey Smith to the Rutgers 21.

At least Turner came back immediately and didn't let the pick cramp his style.

Smith's catch set up Nick Ferrara's 38-yard field goal.

Rutgers 7, Terps 3 first quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage was warming up, but it turns out that senior Domenic Natale will start.

Savage was knocked out of last week's game against Florida International. But Maryland still expected the freshman to play.

Natale, like Savage, is a dropback passer and not a "Wildcat" guy.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Welcome to your full-service game experience.

Safety Jamari McCollough and left tackle Bruce Campbell, both listed as "probable" on the injury report, are on the field warminig up.

Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage is warming up as well. Savage was knocked out of last week's game against Florida International. He told the media a day or two later that he was fine, but Rutgers wouldn't confirm he would be ready to play. Fridge seemed to believe all along that Savage would start and that Rutgers was being coy.

Savage is a big quarterback -- about 6-5 and 230 -- but is a dropback passer and not a dual-purpose guy.

I can't emphasize enough how badly Fridge wants to win this one. He believe Maryland needs to establish a foothold on the season before ACC play begins.

A rainy day at Byrd Stadium, by the way, which will likely keep some fans away.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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We'll take a look at Maryland-Rutgers in the morning in a preview story and offer offense-defense breakdowns.

We'll have instant analysis during the game and quickly pass along info we get from the press box. I'm looking for a close game for the third week in a row.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Offensive lineman Bruce Campbell and safety Jamari McCollough are listed as "probable" on tonight's injury report for the Rutgers game on Saturday.

That's welcome news for Maryland since both were formidable starters.

Fridge said earlier today that Campbell would be expected to slide back in at left tackle and that Paul Pinegar would move back to the other side.

Fridge also said running back Gary Douglas might see some time against Rutgers on Saturday. Douglas is third on the depth chart, and the coach said freshman D.J. Adams is now fourth.

Here is the injury report, courtesy of Maryland media relations:

Out for season:

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Louis Berman (leg)

Caleb Porzel (leg)

Joe Vellano (foot)

Probable:

Bruce Campbell (foot)

Jamari McCollough (foot)

Posted by Jeff Barker at 9:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Thanks to an alert reader, I noticed that Maryland's Torrey Smith leads the nation in all-purpose yards with 249 per game.

Clemson's C.J. Spiller is second at 210 yards, Miami's Graig Cooper is third at 209 yards and Tulsa's Damaris Johnson is fourth at 206.7 yards.

Smith has 423 kickoff yards, 273 receiving yards and 51 rushing yards.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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I'm kind of a statistics-aholic. I enjoy trying to make sense of numbers.

But you have to cringe looking at Maryland's stats through three games:

*Last or tied for last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass efficiency defense, fumbles recovered and fumbles lost.

*Last in the ACC in rushing defense and scoring defense.

Any bright spots? The Terps are fifth in the ACC (and 46th nationally) in passing offense, thanks in part to those two bombs to Torrey Smith last week.

And they did have 10 tackles for losses last week.

Keep in mind that the ACC stats are only a benchmark -- not completely reliable -- because the difficulty of schools' nonconference opponents varies wildly.

If you're a Terps fan, the only stat that really counts is whether this team is improving, backsliding or staying the same. I think fans will be more tolerant if they see progress over the course of the season.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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I keep waiting for sophomore running back Davin Meggett to break out.

He looks faster this year. He's got a smaller number ("8" instead of "41"), and the single digit makes him look sleek. More important, he says he's lost weight from last season -- from about 220 pounds to 212.

"I watch myself and I get into my fourth gear faster than I ever did," he told me recently.

But he's averaging only 3.1 yards on 31 carries.

Is the offensive line not punching out holes for Meggett? He was too polite to say much about that. "They have their jobs and I have mine," he said.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Maryland said it isn’t shutting down Da’Rel Scott, who rushed for 117 yards Saturday but fumbled twice.

Last season, Scott had three fumbles against Wake Forest. But he rushed for 1,133 yards and was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.

Scott was on the sideline Saturday during Maryland’s last drive against Middle Tennessee State. Davin Meggett was in instead.

“I haven’t lost one bit of faith in Da’Rel, but he’s got to understand that comes with being a running back — you can’t fumble the ball,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “We all have our good and bad games.”

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
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Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage, a true freshman, was knocked out of Saturday’s 23-15 victory over Florida International, lying motionless on the field after a hit.

Savage told the media he is fine, but Fridge said he isn’t sure which Rutgers quarterback will play Saturday against Maryland.

“We don’t know really who we’re going to be facing,” Friedgen said. He said the other quarterback, fifth-year player Jabu Lovelace, “is kind of their Wildcat guy, normally associated with running.”

Lovelace had three carries for 34 yards against Florida International.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Players and coaches say Maryland’s defense was tired at the end of Saturday’s game, and that their fatigue might have cost them on Middle Tennessee’s final drive.

The Blue Raiders went 73 yards in eight plays in the final 1:30 to set up a 19-yard, game-winning field goal. Their no-huddle offense might have contributed to Maryland’s late-game fade.

Maryland’s secondary has been hit by injuries – starters Nolan Carroll and Jamari McCollough are out. That means other players are remaining on the field longer.

“I think [safety] Kenny Tate played 80-something plays,” Friedgen said.

Like Tate, safety Terrell Skinner also plays on special teams. Skinner said he also was in for more than 80 plays.

“I think we did get a little fatigued on that last drive,” Skinner said. “I kind of thought the game was over with.”

Like many fans, Skinner thought Maryland was in position to run out the clock – or score a decisive touchdown – before Middle Tennessee could get the ball again.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Coach Ralph Friedgen conceded today that the team “is in a tough situation right now” resulting mostly from inexperience, injuries and a dose of bad luck.

“This is a time where our season hasn’t gone exactly how we wanted it to,” Friedgen said at his weekly media luncheon. “We’re just giving up big plays, and we’ve got to stop that.”

Friedgen said the Terps (1-2) had some “hard luck” in Saturday’s 32-31 loss to Middle Tennessee. He cited several plays, including a low pass from Chris Turner that bounced off Davin Meggett’s hands into the hands of a Blue Raiders defender.

“Those things will even out in the end,” Friedgen said.

Maryland hosts Rutgers on Saturday, the third game of a four-week homestand.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Here are my notes from coach Ralph Friedgen's media conference call today:

*Fridge was asked if the smattering of boos around Byrd Stadium registered with him.
“I don’t really get involved in that,” the coach said. “I know that’s their prerogative. I don’t know what that does to our players. It doesn’t affect me.”

*He singled out a number of errors, including a first-half offsides penalty on fourth down that kept alive a Middle Tennessee drive. The penalty was called on A.J. Francis, a freshman tackle. “There’s 26 plays I’m looking at right now. If any one of those 26 plays went our way, we might win the football game,” Friedgen said.

Friedgen said a 42-yard field goal attempt by Maryland’s Nick Ferrara missed by “six inches.” The kick could have put the Terps ahead by five points in the game’s final two minutes. Even a successful, 42-yarder by Ferrara earlier was almost ruined by a low snap, Friedgen said.

*Friedgen said his defense appeared to be “worn out” when the Blue Raiders drove 73 yards in the last 1:30 to set up the game-winning, 19-yard field goal.

“The one thing I still see us doing, we’re still playing very, very hard,” the coach said.

Continue reading "Fridge on the Terps and the 32-31 loss" »

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
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A Sunday morning reflection: Maryland's defense has now surrendered 119 points in three games -- nearly 40 per contest.

I think that would have been the toughest part of the young season to predict since there were high hopes for the defense of new coordinator Don Brown. So what's happening? It may sound odd since it surrendered 32 points, but the defense did get more pressure yesterday during the 32-31* loss to Middle Tennessee.

Some of the blitz packages began to pay off. The defense recorded its first three takeaways of the season (two interceptions by Cameron Chism and a fumble recovery by Travis Ivey).

But the defense continues to give up what coaches call "chunk plays" -- those long, damaging ones. Those plays effectively negate any good work. Most costly of these was a 35-yard pass play that took the ball to the Maryland 10 in the game's final seconds and set up the game-winning field goal. It was the play of the game.

Chism, the sophomore cornerback who stepped in for Nolan Carroll, said afterward that he had hamstring soreness and couldn't accelerate. You can't put this loss on Chism, who was forced by Carroll's injury into playing the most extensive role of his young career. But if Chism really couldn't accelerate effectively, then he shouldn't have been in the game.

I think the entire defense was tired by the game's end, and that Chism got beat by a good stop-and-go fake, which he pretty much conceded.

Maryland desperately missed Carroll and injured safety Jamai McCollough yesterday, particularly on that final drive. More later today after Fridge's 4:30 media conference call...

 An earlier version of this entry incorrectly gave the score of Saturday's game. The Terps lost 32-31. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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*Obviously, Terps are not good enough in most cases to overcome four turnovers.

*Offensive coordinator James Franklin is upset with himself for calling a play-action pass -- instead of a run -- on first down from the Middle Tennessee 32 with about four minutes to play and Maryland ahead 31-29.

Quarterback Chris Turner took a sack for a 10-yard loss. The drive ended with Nick Ferrara missing a 42-yard field goal that could have helped the Terps hold on by giving them a five-point lead. Franklin clearly believes his call helped lose yardage that could have made the field goal attempt easier.

*Franklin also indicated Maryland thought hard about going on fourth-and-three from the Middle Tennessee 25 on Maryland's last possession. Instead, Ferrara kicked from the 42 and missed with Maryland up 31-29 and 1:30 left on the clock.

*Cameron Chism had two interceptions but says he got burned on a 35-yard pass play that put Middle Tennessee in position to kick the winning field goal. Chism said his hamstring was tightening up.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)
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Torrey Smith has five catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. His second TD had put the Terps up by 28-23.

But MTSU receiver Garrett Andrews just beat Anthony Wiseman on a pass over the middle and ran it in from 32 yards to put the Blue Raiders ahead, 29-28. A two-point conversion attempt failed.

There are about eight minutes remaining.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Middle Tennessee elected not to go for two after scoring a touchdown to pull within 21-19 of the Terps with 6:25 left in the third quarter. They kicked the extra point instead.

The score came when Desmond Gee went up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown run

Earlier, Chris Turner threw a 37-yard bomb to a wide-open Torrey Smith to put the Terps ahead, 21-13 with 12:22 left in the third.

Maryland 21, MTSU 20, third quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Maryland finally forced its first turnover the season -- a fumble by Dwight Dasher recovered by Travis Ivey.

The play gave the Terps the ball at the MTSU 19. Davin Meggett went in from the 1 on the fifth play of the series to put the Terps ahead 14-13 in the second quarter.

The Terps have three turnovers and are lucky to be ahead. MTSU has two turnovers --- the Dasher fumble being the most damaging.

The turnovers -- one by quarterback Jamar Robinson, playing situationally -- ruined a good start to the half for the Terps, who should win if they can keep the ball off the ground.

Maryland 14, MTSU 13, half

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Off to a promising start, Maryland has turned the ball over three times to completely change the tenor of the game.

There was an interception (not Chris Turner's fault, as the ball was off Davin Meggett's hands). Then there was a Da'Rel Scott fumble. And then a Jamar Robinson fumble.

Robinson is playing situationally at quarterback, but who knows for how long now?

MTSU 13, Maryland 7, second quarter.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Officials whistled freshman defensive tackle A.J. Francis offsides on fourth and 1, keeping alive a Middle Tennessee drive ending with a 3-yard Dwight Dasher scoring run. The PAT was blocked.

On the next series, Da'Rel Scott's fumble gave the Blue Raiders possession on the Maryland 30. Middle Tennessee scored on Dasher's 7-yard touchdown pass to Sancho McDonald.

MTSU 13, Maryland 7, second quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Interesting coaching decision:

Maryland continued to alternate running backs -- Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett -- even though Scott is the hot back.

Scott has six carries for 72 yards but Meggett started Maryland's last series. Actually, either back can probably fare well today.

Maryland 7, MTSU 0, first quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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*Maryland's offensive line is opening large holes today...as evidenced by Da'Rel Scott's 48-yard touchdown run through a hole on the right side for the first score of the day. Look for huge running numbers if MTSU can't fill those gaps.

*Linebacker Adrian Moten had ball in his hands for an apparent interception midway through the first quarter but couldn’t hang on.

It would have been Maryland’s first interception of the season. Terps are only ACC team without a pick. Will they get one today?

Maryland 7, MTSU 0, first quarter

Maryland 0, MTSU 0, first quarter

Posted by Jeff Barker at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Join us at game time tomorrow and we'll do some instant analysis, tell some jokes (if the mood warrants) and offer updates on statistics, injuries (hope not) and game trends.

We'll have a game preview for Saturday's paper with a long look at the Terps, and a box breaking down game matchups.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Here is the weekly injury report, courtesy of Maryland media relations. No surprises, although the status of punt returner/receiver Tony Logan had been unclear. He is listed as probable.

Out for season:

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Louis Berman (leg)

Bruce Campbell (foot)

Jamari McCollough (foot)

Caleb Porzel (leg)

Joe Vellano (foot)

Probable:

Tony Logan (shoulder)

Posted by Jeff Barker at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
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It's ironic that Maryland's defense -- which entered the season eager to show how aggressive it had become -- is the only ACC school that hasn't forced a turnover through two games.

The coaches know this must change. They said so this week as the Terps readied for Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee State.

Every ACC school has an interception except the Terps. Clemson has five. The Terps are minus-four for the season in turnover margin (three lost fumbles, one interception).

This points to a few issues:

*Maryland is needing time to adjust to the defense implemented by new defensive coordinator Don Brown. Coaches say the Terps have occasionally been tentative about blitzing when they are supposed to.

Turnovers come when the defense applies pressure. But Maryland is last in the ACC in tackles for loss, averaging three per game. Keep in mind that the ACC stats are only a benchmark -- not completely reliable -- because the difficulty of schools' non-conference opponents varies wildly.

*Last year's interceptions leader, Jamari McCollough, was injured in the season opener and is expected to miss Saturday's game as well. Fifth-year cornerback Nolan Carroll broke his leg last week against James Madison.

*Safety Kenny Tate, a star in preseason training camp, hasn't been as effective as coaches believe he can be. Fridge says Tate may have been rattled by fumbling a punt last Saturday. Coaches expect Tate, a big former wide receiver, will eventually produce turnovers with blitzing and/or interceptions.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Anybody have a feel yet for this young Maryland team? Me neither, and I'm with the team almost every day.

But that didn't stop me from predicting last week that Adrian Cannon would score a touchdown against James Madison and that the Dukes would score a defensive touchdown. I was right on those, but not so close on my forecast that the Terps would win by about 17 points.

Let's tee it up again, shall we?

*I see another high-scoring game. Middle Tennessee's no-huddle and four-receiver and even five-receiver sets can give opponents trouble. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin is a guru of the spread offense.

*Dwight Dasher, Middle Tennessee's aptly named quarterback, could have a big running day -- is 100 yards out of the question?

By the way, here's my favorite comment from a media member about Dasher: "It must be great being named after a reindeer."

*Maryland's running game will produce more yards-- including a long TD run. Are you listening Da'Rel Scott? Scott had a 63-yard touchdown run against the Blue Raiders last season. I see him having a big game.

James Madison stacked the box last week and dared Chris Turner to throw, which he did effectively. But I see the run returning this week.

*Let's also say Cannon gets another touchdown.

*This game will be competitive but not as close as the James Madison game. I see the Terps winning by about 10 -- which was the margin in last season's game for the Blue Raiders.

Feel free to discuss among yourselves.

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
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*Coach Friedgen said today that wide receiver-punt returner Tony Logan (shoulder) is at about 85 percent.

But expect Anthony Wiseman and Kenny Tate to continue to receive punts against Middle Tennessee State. Each has four punt returns this season, with Tate averaging 6.8 yards and Wiseman 4.5 yards. But Tate has a fumble.

*Maryland has had officials at practice as it tries to cut down on the number of penalties. The Terps have been penalized 12 times in their two games.

It helped Maryland quite a bit on Saturday that James Madison was flagged 11 times for 105 yards.

*Fridge frowned at the memory of last season's 24-14 loss at Middle Tennessee, one of the worst defeats of his coaching tenure.

This season's Middle Tennessee media guide highlights that Maryland game, calling it "one of the biggest upsets of the year."

Said Fridge: "It was just the whole trip. Those games are hard."

Posted by Jeff Barker at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Terps football
        

Here, before it appears in the paper, are notes from today's media availability:

*The play wasn’t designed for Chris Turner to run.

But, with Maryland ahead of James Madison by eight points in the second quarter, the quarterback pump-faked and took off for the end zone.

Turner’s three-yard score may have came on a busted play – he had no lane to throw – but coaches say they have encouraged the fifth-year player to run more often this season than last.
Turner may never lead the Terps in rushing, but coaches want him to keep the defense guessing by presenting at least the threat of a scamper out of the pocket.

“Chris is a pretty tough kid,” coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday. “I think he’s added that (running) element to his game and that really helps the rest of the team. Obviously we don’t want him to get hurt.”

Turner was credited with 44 rushing attempts for 57 yards last season. The total doesn’t include yardage lost in sacks. In two games this season, he already has 19 carries for 59 yards.

On a team loaded with fleet receivers, Turner and his teammates like to joke about his hardly being a sprinter.

“He’s not the most fleet-footed quarterback,” receiver Torrey Smith said with a smile.

But, said tight end Tommy Galt, Turner’s mobility “gives us the ability to do some things out of different sets. He’s always been tough.”

Even if Turner continues