Terps 20, Clemson 17
by Ben Broman on Sep 27, 2008 8:11 PM EDT
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PrintYessir, appears my "feeling" had something behind it (not that I'm bragging, or anything). It was definitely one of the more satisfying second halves in a long while, but that really made the first half even more disappointing. It's disappointing that it took a DHB end-around to finally get the team to care. Here's what James Franklin had to say on it:
It’s very frustrating and very exciting at the same time. Because he have a chance to be very good. Hopefully the light’s going to go on. With the two wins that we’ve had and then this one, hopefully that’s going to give us momentum.
I agree, James.
Chris Turner was absolutely phenomenal today, at least in the second half. He was a little rattled after a big hit, but he ended up bouncing back and just tearing through the secondary. He found the open guy under pressure several times today, and that's the Chris Turner that everyone was calling to get the opening day start. If he can play like this throughout the ACC season, I really think this team has a chance.
Da'Rel Scott was a bit disappointing, but he did make a few big plays. I have a feeling he's not quite 100% just yet. Torrey Smith was a stud today: he led the team with 98 all-purpose yards, including a few nice kickoff returns and that big touchdown to keep the Terps in the game.
The difference between the first and second halves is astronomical. I can't stop raving about this team, but it's important to note how bad the team was in the first half. This will come back and kill them eventually, unless they are able to fix it.
The defense was run over, and the offense couldn't execute when the defense actually made a stop or gifted them a short field. Really, Clemson's own lack of execution kept Maryland in the game.
But back to good news: the defense was great in the second half, as Clemson was only able to muster 31 rushing yards in the last two quarters. The special teams was equally great, as Obi Egekeze was able to hit two chip shots and Travis Baltz really showed his worth as a great punter.
The performance wasn't great - it left a lot to be desired, especially in the first half - but I'm contented and proud after the comeback. It looks like it'll be a good weekend.
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Terps win
Wow! I’m with you, amazed they won this game, leaves you jumping up and down celebrating when you just look at the fact they won a tough game down in Death Valley against Clemson. Feel a little more dubious about that joy when looking at the details of the game…I mean face it, they didn’t play very well, owe this win every bit as much to Clemsons going in the tank/Bowden’s bad coaching as to the Terps ‘playing well’. What’s with the veteran offensive line? They gave Turner decent protection, but they couldn’t open any holes against a Clemson front seven with a decent/good D-line and not so great LB’s. Scott 28 rushes for 39 yards?! And what’s with no one getting a single carry other than Scott? Meggett, who I think has proven he’s a pretty darn good runner, tough and runs hard, doesn’t get on the field. I think typical Friedgen in not trusting a young guy, he’s liable to screw up and cost you so don’t let him on the field. Scott is off a week and coming back from an injury and is the sole back running the ball?! Turner had one of those inconsistent games, he’s our best option but can still leave something to be desired at times…and you never know when that inconsistency is going to pop up.
And Cosh, yes, good adjustments at half-time but still there’s that ugly first half. Why after facing these mis-direction type offenses a number of times do they not seem to get any better at defending them?
Hate to be a downer after a big win but this game just leaves me with the same feeling about Freidgens teams, you just can’t count on anything with them. After seeing their performance against Cal and coming up with the win today I should feel like the Terps are going to go down and kick the wahoos butts, I think they should, but with Friedgens teams who knows?!! If they do I’ll feel like yes, that’s the way it should’ve been, but if they go down there and lose it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. This game only reinforced that feeling. I’ll be watching next week and cheering them on but keeping my expectations in check.
Scott is Great
Granted he didn’t have his best game but he had a 12 and 15 yarder and a 1-yard TD run all called back for penalties. If he gets 70 yards and two scores then he was much better today. Also, the line did not do a great job run blocking today. I think Scott got most of the carries because he is a superior player to our other backs. He is much more explosive then Green and Meggett is still a freshman and is undersized. This is ACC play, you gotta give your studs touches.
Fridge is doing a great job this year. Sure the MTS loss stung, but we were 11 point underdogs on the road today. Any win in that situation is a great win, and I think Ralph should be given his due for winning two games against top 25 teams so far. It’s early, but we are in first place in our division, as everyone else already has a loss. If we win at UVA, it will set up a battle vs. Wake at Byrd, which could give us a nice cushion atop the ACC. I mean, who would we hire if we did get rid of Ralph? I just don’t think that due to one bad loss you can really believe Ralph is not doing a great if not solid job this year. I would think the last three wins, two as underdogs should convince the non believers. I say give Ralph a break man, he could take us to the ACC championship game.
I Should Feel
More confident that Maryland is going to go in and stomp on 1 – 3 Virginia, who is arguably the worst BCS team not named Syracuse. But we’ve played them close the last couple of years. Hopefully Maryland wins, but I could totally see Ralph costing us that game. He’s just not a very good in-game coach.
Better than Bowden? No doubt, but how much of a compliment is that really?
Insert clever and witty remark slash pun here!
UMD 8/04 - 5/08: Go Terps!
Maybe so
But all conference games are tough, see USC, Wisconsin, and UGA. Maybe you would like to feel more confident, but the bottom line is Ralph is winning games, and I for one, will take it. How confident do you think Wake or Clemson fans are feeling now? I agree it is frustrating at times, but if a move was made to replace Ralph at some point (which won’t happen anytime soon), who could we get to do a better job? Ralph is 60-32 at UMD. Let me repeat that, 60-32. When is the last time MD could boast that kind of winning % over a 7 and a half season period? You do remember how it was before Fridge, right? Terp’s football matters now. I also would not underestimate his motivational skills at half time of the Clemson game. 31 rushing yards for Spiller and Davis in the second half? Sure we did not look great but a win is a win, and a road win to a ranked conference opponent is a good win great win regardless. Enjoy it guys. I for one am pumped to beat UVA and go to the Wake game at Byrd holding the top spot in the ACC. Go Terps!
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