Maryland Blows 18-Point Lead to Undefeated Clemson, Falls in 56-45 Barnburner
by Ben Broman on Oct 15, 2011 10:56 PM EDT
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All week long, we wondered who Randy Edsall would start at quarterback against Clemson on Saturday. In the end, the explosive C.J. Brown got the nod over the more experienced Danny O'Brien. And after nearly leading Maryland to an upset of the 8th-ranked, undefeated Tigers, I don't think he'll be relinquishing the job anytime soon. Sadly, the rest of the effort left much to be desired from Terp fans, especially in the latter stages of the game.
Maryland held a lead as large as 18 in the second half, but a defense that allowed 39 second-half points - and the sensational play of Sammy Watkins, who had an incredible 345 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns - let them down in the end. An 89-yard touchdown kickoff return from Watkins and a 44-yard rushing touchdown from Andre Ellington sealed the deal for Clemson, ensuring the comeback and solidifying the 56-45 margin.
And so, for the third time this season, Maryland let a chance to grab a win against an undefeated, nationally-ranked opponent slip through their fingers.
The game wasn't without promise, in parts. Brown, especially, showed some flashes, rushing for 162 yards and throwing for another 177, though his passing numbers were a little skewed by drops. He threw three touchdowns and rushed for another, while only throwing one interception, though it proved to be a game-changer: it was that pick that gave the Tigers life, setting them up with great field position and directly leading to a touchdown. After that, everything was downhill for Maryland. Still, Brown was good enough for his offense to score 38 points (7 came from a defensive TD), and it's tough to complain about that.
Likewise, the early play was an encouraging sign. Sure, Maryland got a few gifts from Watkins and Tajh Boyd, but were beating an undefeated, top-10 opponent 35-17 in the third quarter. That doesn't happen by luck.
Ultimately, though, Maryland's lack of defensive talent and depth, their special teams errors, and their inconsistency at wide receiver were on full display here, especially in the second half. Maryland had no one who could cover Sammy Watkins in their secondary; nor did they have anyone who could stop him on their special teams, as his returns resulted in two Clemson TDs; and in the long run, they couldn't count on their receivers to catch what Brown could get on target, robbing the Terrapins of at least one TD.
Clemson's first drive, which started at the four thanks to a botched kick return, covered nearly the length of the field, until Maryland stopped them at the 2 and forced a field goal. Maryland's next drive stalled, but Sammy Watkins muffed the ensuing punt, setting Maryland up inside the ten. Davin Meggett punched it in from 9 yards out to give Maryland a 7-3 lead.
Tajh Boyd, who struggled early on, was intercepted by Cameron Chism on the Tigers' next drive, and the senior CB returned it for a 46-yard pick six. Both teams scored two touchdowns in the first half after that, two on the ground - from C.J. Brown and Andre Ellington - and two through the air - Brown to Meggett and Boyd to DeAndre Hopkins - to give Maryland a 28-17 lead at half. Ronnie Tyler dropped a likely touchdown pass along the way, one of the few balls Brown put on target down the field.
Out the second-half gate, Brown led a 78-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a 22-yard Matt Furstenburg touchdown reception. And that's when everything went to hell. Brown threw an interception on Maryland's next drive, which Clemson capitalized on with a 13-yard reception by Watkins to cut the margin to two scores. A Maryland three-and-out followed, with Clemson scoring another TD - and converting the two-point conversion - to cut the score to 3 heading into the fourth.
To the surprise of almost no one, Maryland's drive stalled, while Clemson drove down the field with surgical precision and took the lead with a 12-yard Jaron Brown touchdown reception. After facing multiple third downs on their answering drive, Maryland regained the lead with another Furstenburg touchdown on a third-and-ten. But, of course, the euphoria could only last so long: Watkins had a sensational 89-yard touchdown return on the kickoff to give Clemson a 49-44 lead. Another stalled Terps possession, and Ellington sealed the deal with the 44-yard touchdown scamper to finish things off.
People will hate on Todd Bradford for this, and they have a little bit of a point, but not nearly as much as they think they do. Think about where Maryland is right now: they started five freshmen today, including all three linebackers. On a critical third-and-2 in the fourth quarter, Alvin Thomas - a transfer from Albright College - was in. I'm sure Thomas is a good player, but transfers from Albright College usually aren't "Play in a critical situation" material. Watkins is an insane talent, and he made plays even when the scheme accounted for him. Bradford wasn't flawless, but given what he was working with and what he was up against, I'm not going to freak out, either. I'll expand on this later.
On the other side of the ball, Brown is the starting man for better or for worse now - he was too good today against too good a foe to pull a switcharoo. There's no question heading into next week. He was one of the bright spots of today. Really, Maryland isn't lacking potential bright spots. The Terrapins seem to have so much potential, but it's juxtaposed with some pretty serious issues, mostly talent and depth related. It's painful to see.
I'm pissed off and a little depressed, to be honest: it's devastating to consistently watch a team almost get a win, playing above its head in the process, only to be thwarted by superior talent in the end. Maryland is a matter of plays away from being 5-1 right now, but instead a few fatal flaws have left them far, far behind.
That said, the rational part of my brain can't find a way to be upset about this, not truly. Clemson is a good - nay, great - team. How much shame can there be in losing to an undefeated, top-10 team by 11 points, and playing them closer than that? I swear, there's a base here. I just don't know how long it'll be until we see it.
More coming tomorrow, in the stock report. Until then, vent away.
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I agree..
what a gutsy and smart coach to start cj brown. this is a coach that is going to build a consistant winner. he has proven to me that he knows what he is doing. i am very happy.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
It was actually an 18pt lead we blew
No shame in losing to Clemson, clearly they are the best in the ACC. The real shame is hanging 45pts on them and going home empty handed.
My bad
I always make at least one mistake on these things. Too tough to track everything. Thanks for the note.
You don’t play around that was quick.
If a player doesn't chose Maryland it doesn't make him a bum
by valenciais1 on Oct 15, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Post
If a player doesn't chose Maryland it doesn't make him a bum
by valenciais1 on Oct 15, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Lack of Team Speed
First of all, you have to give CJ Brown a load of credit. He played his heart out tonight. Unfortunately, the product we put on the field lacks team speed. It’s so evident when you watch us play very athletic teams, such as Clemson and WVA, that we simply don’t have the athletes to cover receivers defensively or make dynamic plays offensively. Our kick returns are pathetic. It looks like our returners are running in slow motion compared to most teams. I like our fight tonight, CJ and Furstenburg played a hell of a game. Ferrara should lose his scholarship after kicking the ball to Watkins over and over. I can only hope that the near win vs a top 10 team turned some recruits heads. I’m guessing Danny is contemplating where he will transfer. Quite a turn of events from last year, but CJ is definitely the man moving forward. With the lack of playmaking receivers, we have to have CJ out there to open things up.
Clemson is the fastest team in the league. Ellington, Watkins and Bellamy are track stars.
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*Sigh*....
First off I was incredibly impressed C.J. Brown’s ability to start a HUGE game like this and play the way he did. The wide receivers need to step up there game immediately!!!! I mean how many easy catches can you drop in a game. Honestly, Tyler, Mcree, and Boykins need put in some serious reps with C.J. Edsall needs to play D.J. Adams in the short yardage situations! On the other hand, Furstenburg played absolutely brilliant! I couldn’t ask for anything more from Megget and Pickett in the the run game. On the defensive side of the ball Vellano play incredible as always. The linebacker need to step up because they ran all over us but I expected that with the freshman. All in all Maryland gave us an exciting game but we need to win one!!! I have us beating FSU next week in Tally! I’ll be there since I only live an hour away from Doak. GO TERPS!!!!!
Receivers, Receivers, Receivers
I think more than anything that is dooming us this year is the receiver play. Dorsey has played well but I don’t see anybody stepping up this year to be a big time player. Worse, these receivers make more big drops when they matter than I can remember. Tyler made a great play late where he wrestled the ball out of the defenders hands, but how many drops is he going to have. The drop where he was 10 yards in back of the defenders was unforgivable. That would have been an easy long touchdown from a perfect pass by CJ Brown. Can you imagine the confidence boost he would have had as a thrower if Tyler scores on that one? It seems on this team that the veterans are playing uninspired football. Even on the interception, Tony Logan made no effort to come to the ball, nor did Tyler on a 4th down pay. They both stood there and let the defender come in to make the play.
Furstenberg plays like a wide receiver but other than him and Dorsey, I wouldn’t be disappointed if Edsall benched the top four receivers and started freshmen. I can stomach freshmen making mistakes and drops because then as sophomores and juniors they will be reliable. For juniors and seniors to be making mistakes is awful. They have killed our momentum in so many ways.
I’m not an alarmist but I think Edsall is right in playing so many freshman. If the upperclassmen can’t be more inspired than this, let’s let the youngsters get some experience.
What happened to Dorsey today?
I only heard his name like once all day. We have got to target him he’s the only WR who has proved he can consistently make plays.
Edall said
that he got hurt in the first half. Hamstring injury.
by Tanako Xavier on Oct 15, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Add one more to the list. Could of used Tate tonight.
DOB to Vandy next year. Count on it.
I’m sure Franklin is licking his chops. You know, it’s funny, last year we dump a pretty good running/ option type QB in Jamarr Robinson in favor of a pocket passer. Now we dump a pretty good pocket passer in favor of a runner. There’s just no pleasing some people.
Vandy here he comes!
Boy is Franklin glad that Fridge didn’t burn DOB’s redshirt.
by Tanako Xavier on Oct 15, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
DOB would be stupid to go to Vandy
They have the crap beat out of them every week in the SEC. Franklin won’t last long.
by Snappin Terp on Oct 16, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Play and lose, or don't play at all
Which sounds better?
by kryptonianjorel on Oct 16, 2011 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
CJ is 4X better than Robinson ever will be
And don’t count DOB out yet. What happens when CJ gets nailed by a 240 lb. linebacker? DOB comes in and saves the day. All good college teams have at least 2 very good QB’s who help each other develop.
by Snappin Terp on Oct 16, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope he does
I hope he does. I hate to see such a qb waste his talents. I’ll be happy for him. He’ll have success at a good SEC school
Too bad Vandy is a very poor SEC school (athletics)
Great academic school, sort of like Northwestern in the big 10.
by Snappin Terp on Oct 16, 2011 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
No
The Ticket City Bowl?
Come on now. That is worthless bowl 101.
They lost.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 16, 2011 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes...
the last four bowls we went to were worthless. And I just can’t understand why Ralph and his bots continue bragging about it.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 17, 2011 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, because CJ and Jamarr are so totally the same person
Are you disappointed w/ CJ’s performance today?
Exactly
CJ has given new life to us diehard fans. What happens if he gets hurt? . We’re not like Michigan, we have DOB on the bench who can take over a game and dominate.
by Snappin Terp on Oct 16, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Considering it's his first start?
And he almost beat the number 8 team in the nation? Absolutely not. Great first start.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 16, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Would be crazy..
but could see it happening I guess. If I’m Danny, and it keeps becoming clear that CJ is the future, I transfer. He is a pro-style QB, with good size and mechanics. Some more experience, some good seasons and he has legitimate NFL potential..
I'll be honest...
I think this team is better than last years team. Last year we barely beat horrible teams, and this year we almost beat very good teams.
This year will be a wash as far as wins go, but the kinks will get worked out, and the foundation will be laid.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 15, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
I agree wholeheatedly.
When you consider the youth on display, I’m impressed by how well they have played. In fact, on defense I was amazed how well we were playing in the first half, save for a few big plays.
by Tanako Xavier on Oct 15, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It is good to see
Someone else who realizes that last year’s 9-4 was not as good as people think it was.
Assumption is the mother of all @#%-ups.
i love DOB
but if he plays this game, we get crushed. CJ kept plays alive like very few qbs can. hes a playmaker. i think he threw the ball MUCH better than the stats give him credit for. if tyler catches that bomb that waas IN HIS HANDS, not only do we win the game, but CJs line ends with like 250 passing, 150 rushing, which is near impossible. i think he found our QB, and i honestly feel terribly for DOB, i really hope he succeeds but i want CJ to be our qb from now on and he will just get better. this team will beat FSU next week and wouldnt be surprised if we win out this season, its very doable. FSU is tough but winable, BC is pretty bad, Wake is playing just like us but the breaks are going their way, UVA is bad (yes i know they beat GT, but overall we are better i think), NCST is terrible and Notre dame is definitely winable.
There was also a huge dropped pass for a first down on one of our late drives
forget who dropped it though. Boykins maybe? Anyone else remember? Ended up being big because i think on that same possession we didn’t get the first down. Also had a huge 4th and 20 something pass brought back because of a holding penalty too. If that goes our way could have been an even crazier game.
Hey i have a question
WHERE THE FUCK IS DJ ADAMS.
That drive in the 4th quarter where we had a bunch of 3rd downs, some of them really short (including a 4th down), why.the.fuck.was.adams.not.in.the.game … o, and the drive in the first half that ended up a TD on the swing pass to Megget, why.the.fuck.was.adams.not.in.near.the.goal.line … what the fuck. Megget looked bad on 1st and 2nd and goal there… Adams would have been nice.
And yes, I know offense wasn’t the problem in this game. But seriously, the media needs to start pestering Edsall about why DJ is not seeing the field at all.
by T Free on Oct 16, 2011 12:13 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
It's absured
not to mention incredible irritating. So many situations we could use him, at least give us a reason please. Ridiculous.
edsall...
is building a consistant winner. players that don’t buy in are demoted. it is a system that can win with 3 star players. I hope jacskonville doesn’t steal him next year.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
You must be on crack
Jacksonville going to steal a college coach that doesnt go to a bowl game and is for 1 for his career against ranked teams? Seriously??
also
why we are due for a game where both the O cord and D cord are good at the same time, right? vs GT brafor got some Ds back, but lost them tonight. tonight crowton got all his Os back after a miserable game last week.. so frustrating
Not sure Bradford lost us the game last night.
yeah the D was bad, but as Ben has pointed out, there is very, very little healthy talent on the D side of the ball right now.
Another question
What is wrong with Tate? We have to find out soon here right?
Honestly, I don’t even care for this season as much as I do for his future. I want to see the man succeed, and I’ll be pretty upset if he falls past the 2nd round.
by T Free on Oct 16, 2011 12:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Slow down folks, its only one game for CJ.That arm kinda worries me and some of his decisions too.Bradford after this yr needs to go back to LB coach and get us a real D coordinator.BTW, arePerry Hills and that GA Qb we have verbal from good read option QB because if not WTF are we recruiting them for because thats all we basicly run.
by JRoZe410 on Oct 16, 2011 12:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
state of team
anyone who had any doubt about the recruiting of the previous coach ..should stop and think about how the speed…talent….and all around ability of most of the elite tems we have faced in the past 3 or 4 years….have made us look so bad!!!!! individually we have talent in some areas..overall…we are just not up to the Clemson…Fla State….WVA…Va Tech….et al……and now we are challenged by Towson..Temple….not to mention the poor oaching on the defensive and special teams side…perhaps we " did as good as we could"…but give Edsall credit…he went against the grain and started the best QB…evident withthe quck release..quick decisions….etc….I am more in his corner than before…..jury out..way out..on the defense…not the indidual playaers but the strategy…..special teams…horrible…d backs…horrible….receivers…sub par……but….future looks better than a couple of weeks ago….get some talent in the asst coaching ranks….goos recruiting …we may have a program again
Charles sr
Go get ’em! You need a sit down conference with Anderson and Edsall. This is how many of us feel. It looks like our receivers know how to play catch without anyone challenging them.
More improvements are needed now than in the last couple years with the Fridge. I honestly think Edsall doesn’t realize all the talent on the team (DJ) and is trying to bring in the Big East strategies. Hey Randy, this is the ACC, not the football Wussies of the Big East.
Actual conversation I heard behind me at start of the game
In the student section
(offense, with Brown at QB, takes field)
Guy 1: Wait, is that Danny O’Brien?
Guy 2: Yeah, of course
Guy 1: He’s number 16?
Guy 2: I think so
Guy 1: I thought he was number 5
(First play. Announcer calls “CJ Brown complete to Matt Furstenburg”)
A few seconds pass.
Guy 1: Ohh, no, that’s Adams at QB!
Guy 2: Ohh, that makes sense!
…
by terpfan92 on Oct 16, 2011 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wonder what all the CJB haters have to say now...
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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Not a CJB hater...but this team sucks.
They should have put Danny in a position to succeed from the get-go
If I am not mistaken
Danny did succeed from the get-go against Miami. He just started to throw the ball to guys in the wrongs colored jerseys soon thereafter.
Last years team sucked too...
but it got to play Morgan State and such. So, it appeared that…well, how can you appear to be good when you barely beat a crappy schedule?
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 16, 2011 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I never expected to beat the #6 team in the country
You have to be pleased that we at least had a chance.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 16, 2011 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
its hard for critics....
to admit that edsall knows what he’s doing and that they don’t know jack****
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Never was a CJ hater
Just said O’Brien was the better QB. After last night’s game, I have to take that back and say CJ is the better QB RIGHT NOW. Gotta admit, he was a magical escape artist last night, and his passing is coming along.
It was pretty obvious last night that Clemson wasn’t ready for him at first on and their heels at his decisions to run, but it took just a few defensive adjustments in the second half to learn how to stop him: he had no consistent outlet to pass to, so you just had to rush a “Spy” LB to stuff his run-out-of-trouble option. Again, VERY bad coaching on our part, as we didn’t adjust when it was obvious Clemson’s adjustments stopped our initial successes.
Well have to wait to next year to compare the two of them again, and it should be a little clearer and easier to do, as DOB will be playing for Franklin at Vandy (along with DJ Adams) and our opponents will have had a chance to study up on CJ’s style.
That he sucks?
Its not all on CJ, but I think he’s terrible still. Every other play was him running for his life; honestly half the time it looked like the pass play fell apart and he just had to run.
A qb that can run is a good thing, but it seems to me thats about all he can do
by kryptonianjorel on Oct 16, 2011 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 16, 2011 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Its easy to look good
when a defense isn’t prepared for a qb that can run. Its what makes Vick such a threat, except that he has an actual passing game as well
by kryptonianjorel on Oct 16, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
You do know CJB threw 3 touchdowns, right?
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 16, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure that we are going to see another team this year with that much offensive talent
It wasn’t just the overall speed. They were physical. Even our LBs had difficulty bringing down their WRs. I wondered going into haltime whether Boyd’s talent matched their other skill players. The mismatch between the talent on their O versus our D was as great as I have seen in many seasons watching UMD football. Coaching alone won’t make-up that difference. That said, Randy and his staff did a good job. This team is clearly Randy’s and guys are showing they will play for him.
I have to disagree with Clemson being a great team. Very bad defense.
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Agree
If that is the best, defensively, Clemson has to offer it is not going to be long before they get exposed. I mean, even worse than we exposed it.
Bud, if you are replying to my comment, you're reading something into it that is not there.
As to Clemson’s defense, their pass rush didn’t live up to the hype, the LBs never seemed to adjust to CJ’s speed, and Steele didn’t make many adjustments at halftime even though they looked unprepared for CJ.. Steele did rush their OLBs on 3rd downs to contain CJ and had some success. As to their DBs, I am unsure how good they are. They were aggressive with our WRs but that may be deceiving because most of our receivers don’t fight for the ball. I don’t know how the Clemson DBs will do going against a good receiving corps. So, their D definitely wasn’t “great” last night but can probably play much better with good preparation.
What I Saw
was what this offense is capable of with a spread QB(CJ). I also saw a bunch of young LBs and D linemen that got worn down by the end of the game. There is a big difference between 17-18 year olds and 21-22 year olds and tonight we found out. Two other things…Tyler sucks, and Ferrara should be shot. There has to be at least 20 other kids on campus that can get the damn ball in the endzone on a consistent basis. Edsall needs to find them and get them on the field because the only thing I see Ferrara do with any consistency is run around the field before kickoffs looking like he is prepping for a tryout for West Side Story.
the only thing I see Ferrara do with any consistency is run around the field before kickoffs looking like he is prepping for a tryout for West Side Story.
This made me laugh…what does he do?
He does a ten yard
run, like he is running up to kick the ball and then after he pretends that he is booting the ball through the endzone and into the band he makes this leap about five yards through the air. Looks like a total ballet move.
And yet that "clown"
Ran down one of the fastest players in CFB this year (Watkins) and stopped a return for a TD. Good thing he warmed up on the sidelines for that one.
Should Ferrara not have kicked to Watkins? Pretty much says “I don’t have ANY faith in our KO return team”. But then again, lack of faith in our players has been a hallmark of this coaching staff all year. Perhaps now we know why Edsall nearly took Ferrara’s head off when he gt back on the sidelines after the KO return for a TD….
lack of depth
is why the kickoff team is under-manned. ferrara has a big responsibility to protect his teamates. Like gary williams doesn’t yell?
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Gary William usually saved his most scathing tirades for the players and coaches on the bench
Player on the court made an error, and his bench got the brunt of it.
And HE NEVER grabbed a player and spun him around in order to yell at him some more, like he did to Ferrara last night. There are 11 players on special teams, how come he doesn’t blame the coach for the lack of tackling and hussle that ALLOWS a player like Watkins to have TWO huge returns?
Thanks for pointing that out BulletTerp
Ferrara has been great this year and that saved tackle was fantastic. Our special teams is pretty bad, but Ferrara is definitely not to blame. Great punts, FG kicking and for the most part kickoffs this whole season. Punting in particular, he’s got great accuracy when he’s trying to pin it past the 20 yd line. He had one bouncing around inside the 5 that his punt coverage just couldn’t come up with for him.
Let's be real Ben...most teams in the country can make a claim to being better than their record.
Maryland is a matter of plays away from being 5-1 right now, but instead a few fatal flaws have left them far, far behind.
The truth is you are what your record is.
I remember in high school I lettered freshman year because I went to a small school. We went 4-6 and in most of the losses our coach tried to emphasize that we got beat because we we’re out of position on a lot of the plays and tried to tell us that we weren’t losing because we lacked talent. I believed that, for awhile…
A little off topic but
something that really pisses me off and needs to be said. Where I sit, in the Terrapin Club section (home side, mid field) there are some of the worst “fans” if you want to call them that. First, there were fans tonight that left at halftime, HALFTIME! What kind of fans leave a game where there team is leading the 8th ranked team at halftime? It turns out that even as egregious as that may be, it is not the worst. There I am, sitting in an area where it takes serious Terp points to land these seats, I mean years of season tickets, years of donating moola to the Terrapin Club and I am surrounded by Clemson Fans. What the hell, if I would not have known better I would have sworn I was sitting in the middle of the Clemson pep club. MD fans suck, compared to other places. There is no way I should have a Clemson fan near me much less cheering in my ear all night. People that bought these tickets and sold them to Clemson people need to be tar and feathered. I mean, I attended a funeral and drove three hours to make it to this game just to have some Clemson dude in my ear all night. If there was a way I could not have made today’s game, I would let the seats sit empty before I let a fan from the opposing team get his hands on them.
Were you near the fighting that broke out?
A few Clemson fans got escorted out. Those Maryland “fans” have no shame.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoTerps2012
Team played their guts out, they rock
But I’ve had enough. I’m already fed up with this coaching staff. I was not a fan of Randy Edsall yelling and calling out his players on the sidelines. You had a chance to close and YOU BLEW IT. “Dream job” my ass. Fire this idiot ASAP before it’s too late and we pay the price for another 4 years. Fire Kevin Anderson for this boneheaded move. This coaching staff is terrible and isn’t held accountable and they can only blame players so much. As a MD fan, I am sick of all the “moral victory” bullshit. A loser is a loser and getting to the Big Least championship ain’t worth shit. How many more missed tackles, blown coverages and overall lack of discipline do we need to put up with? How hard is it to find a separate kicker and punter? Last I checked, NCAAF teams have separate kickoff and punt kickers, but not us of course. FML as a MD fan, just FML. My week is ruined.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoTerps2012
LOL
With all the personel losses, you’re fed up because we lost to the 8th ranked team in the nation?
And I suppose you had no problem with our 2-10 season of 2009?
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Oct 16, 2011 5:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Frustrated
We didn’t just lose, we choked. Last I checked, teams don’t just give away 18 point leads. If injuries were such a huge concern, how did we go up 35-17? It’s just frustrating and I hate to see the team lose like this or maybe I expect too much. And Fridge should have been fired imediately after 2-10.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoTerps2012
by jonnyboy383 on Oct 16, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Without 2 HUGE TO's by clemson, its more like 21-17 us.
That half time score didn’t really tell the whole picture, which we found out in the 2nd half when Clemson’s O started clicking.
Injuries aren't plaquing our offense that's how we scored 35
in the first half clemson’s QB played poorly and off balance.
Yes
It’s Edsall’s fault that the receivers dropped passes.
It’s Edsall’s fault that most of the team is made up of Friedgen’s players.
What are you, 13?
Assumption is the mother of all @#%-ups.
Last I checked
Coaches need to make players accountable, motivated, pumped up and ready for game time. I’m not seeing it. Missed tackes, terrible kickoffs and punt coverage, dropped passes. Is it really all on the players? Get your head out of the sand. This coaching staff blows.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoTerps2012
by jonnyboy383 on Oct 16, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Now back to basketball...
but CJ did impress me I watched the whole game and really thought we had a chance, more than I can say from times in the past. But seriously, when are Carter and Graham committing? Thats what I really want to hear about…
go forward,
Brown is now not a surprise, so teams can scheme for him. That being said, the receivers must catch the dang football. Tyler and McCree dropped key passes that were well thrown.
It’s also a shame that Edsall keeps Adams in the doghouse. His coaching style is getting old in a hurry.
Seriously sad but part of me thinks we'll still make a bowl. CJ seems too explosive not to
UCLA who?
Two weeks ago I was worried those two wins would be it
After GT and Clemson, I think the Terps have at least a shot in every game left.
Works for me.
Assumption is the mother of all @#%-ups.
O Line
There’s been a lot of talk about CJ (who showed lots of potential even on some of his long throws – the pass for Dorsey on the interference call looked like he could have run under it; I think the overthrow of Pickett in the end zone becomes a completion with reps and playing time at least he made the right read picking up the one one one vs the linebacker and I’m not sure whether the other long pass intended for McCree or Tyler was just a bad pass or miscommunication) and about Ben rightly pointing out that the D wore down. But so did the O Line. How about 2 holding penalties late in the game one an a Megget run with about 6 minutes left that would have left the Terps with 4th and 3 as opposed to 3rd & 17/4th & 9 and one on the 59 yd completion to Tyler on 4th & 26 with about 2 minutes to go. If that play stands & MD scores quickly it might only change the final score but if they can recover an OSK (Like UNC did against Miami) it becomes very interesting.
The loss goes to the coaches
I put this loss on the coaching staff 100%. The drops will happen, getting beat on a play happens, but in the 3rd qrt we had the lead and constantly snapped the ball with 20-25 seconds on the play clock. They could have easily lined up to snap, which would’ve kept Clemson from subbing and then waited the time down. When we punted, we did so with 22secs on the play clock…why? This game could have been 11 pts with 4-5 mins in the 4th instead of 11 in the 3rd. I don’t understand the passes with the lead when the read option was working. My families had tickets since 92 and I guess I shouldn’t expect this but when we have a lead..my mind defaults to “how our we going to blow this.”
by Reignman3133 on Oct 16, 2011 8:58 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
wtf ?
the loss is attributable to injuries on defence….and lack of depth….PERIOD
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a combintation
What you put goes hand and hand to what I put. If our defense is having issues (Injuries or lack of depth), then why would we only use 40 seconds for a 3 and out…especially when 2 of the plays were usually runs. What I suggested was a hurry up to the line (keep their Def on the field but then taking our time). The amount of time used while having the lead would have allowed our defense to rest. The worst thing you can have done to you as a defense is to make a stop or give up a score and then be back on the field in small amount of time. No time to recover + more speed than us are skill positions… will end up badly overtime. We have to game plan that out defense will not be on the same level in the 3rd and 4th as they were in the 1st.
by Reignman3133 on Oct 16, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
decent point.
line-up and drain the clock. may have helped…but with 17 year old line-backers…i doubt it.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Depth is hard to plan for
I realize we are lining up true fresh are positions and that’s going to be rough… but depth is really hard to plan for since injuries happen in a split second.. I just feel like the coaches are paid in season to game plan. They can recruit but the head coach needs a plan and we all knew Clemson coming in had a high powered offense. Why play in to it and allow them more time on the field is what I am wondering…. seems like we got the lead and instead of adapting, we continued as if we were behind. Used the same plays, and then went OH SH*T when they got ahead. Isn’t coaching about adapting???
by Reignman3133 on Oct 16, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
for some reason...
we have like ZERO seniors or redshirt seniors…WHY? the 22-23 year old players are SOOOOO important in college football. they physically abuse 17-18 year olds. What happened to ralphs senior class?…did they all fail out?
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
No...they didnt fail out
Avery Murray, Ryan Donohue and Ben Pooler left school- only Pooler was a SR
Exactly what injury does our best defensive player (Tate) have?
O know this takes it to conspiracy theory level, but usually when your better players are injured, the coaches let you know what the problem is and when they can expect him to return.
Edsall’s silence on the matter seems mighty suspicious….
Can we talk about Danny O'brien?
The fact that we are benching a guy who some (on this site) wanted to launch a Heisman campaign for??
When DOB transfers, and teams catch up the CJ brown and realize he cant throw the ball, all of you people touting him as the savior are in for a rude awakening. Get DOB back on the field before he goes somewhere else. Sometimes this school just can’t get out of its own way, it’s infuriating.
Too late
Edsall took DOB’s confidence and put it in a blender. Right along with Ferrara’s and Tyler’s. And Tate’s. And DJ Adams. Surprised he didn’t scream at Chism again after his interception return for a TD.
DOB (and DJ Adams) will be playing for Franklin next year at Vandy.
by BulletTerp on Oct 16, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
DOB
is a great QB. But he’d get eaten alive in the SEC. It’s a different game in that league and when your playing with weaker talent like Vandy does, it’s trouble.
by terp121 on Oct 16, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vandy ALREADY gets eaten alive in the SEC, so what's the difference?
Franklin recruited DOB. DOB loved him as his coach, AND he would be playing in a system he thrives in.
Whom would you rather play for, the coach who changed the offensive scheme you were strong at and has shown he no longer has faith in you, or the coach who treated you like a son and would let you play YOUR game, win or lose?
I read DOB kept in touch with Franklin this summer. I wonder if he still is? Hmmmmm.
I'm saying
if you’re DOB why go to SEC and get eaten alive? Why not go somewhere, in the Big 10 where you can come in have a big impact? DOB earned enough respect in his freshman year to have a lot of transfer options if he wants them.
But my whole original point was it’s a huge mistake if we let this kid out the door. He’s the best QB we’ve had at MD since Boomer..and we let him leave because Crowton’s shitty scheme didn’t work with the shitty talent everywhere except QB.
Good points all around
But I think DOB’s relationship with Franklin means he’ll most likely be on Vandy’s sideline next season.
Edsall can try to recruit him to stay for the rest of his college career, but he hasn’t been that successful at recruiting so far, has he? It’s gonna take a miracle for DOB to stay next season, or a CJ Brown injury (which I hope is not the case, shitty way to get DOB back on field, and something you don’t wish for).
what makes you think hes a great QB?
i love the guy, but he had a pretty good season with 3 nfl wide recievers last year. he didnt even play, or play much, against our hardest games (clemson, wvu, navy). CJ is the starter
Anybody esle catch Edsall get in Ferrara's face after the KO return for a TD by Watkins?
Screamed at him full force, and when Ferrara turned away from him, Edsall grabbed his arm and forcefully turned him so he could scream at him some more. Pretty much did the same thing (without the physical contact) to Tyler when he dropped that sure thing TD pass in the open.
Do I want a passionate coach? Sure. Do I admire Edsall’s guts to switch QBs. Debatable decision, but right now DOB was playing too poorly under Crowton’s system to keep him in, so he made the move. Gutsy? Yes. Smart for the long haul? Remains to be seen.
But my bigger concern is Edsall’s demeanor. Compare how Edsall handles these situation to what Sweeney did last night and what Johnson did for GT last week. When their players made mistakes, they met them when they came to the sidelines, TALKED to them calmly about it, and gave them encouragement to do better. I can only hope we didn’t have recruits in the stands last night, because if they saw the way Edsall treats his players when they make mistakes (and I get it, Tyler and Ferrara MADE huge mistakes), they most likely turned to their game hosts and said, “Thanks for the tickets. I have to leave now, I’ll let you know my decision soon (hint: it ain’t gonna be for THAT a-hole on your sidelines)”.
You can defend Edsall all you like, and hope the Terps start turning it around. But too many mistakes on Edsall’s part, too many poor decisions on his assistant’s part (that he hired), and the image of a dictator as our head coach means we are in for a loooong downward spiral with Edsall leading the Terps, as the recruits start to vanish. One that will take a few years after his departure to recover from.
In 10 years, Edsall’s hiring will be looked back on as one of the low points in our program’s history. Book it.
edsall may be the head coach in jacksonville next year. Where's fridge and leach again?
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Do you honestly think Fridge would want to come back?
More importantly, do YOU honestly want him back? Really? .500 football for the past 6 seasons (with some exceptional talent wearing our uniform), one of the largest salaries in CFB (after he threatened to leave for the NFL after his initial success), and a huge deficit in the athletic department due to the expansion of Byrd (which he demanded) and the lack of ticket sales (because his record was .500 over his last 6 seasons).
I’d rather see Bobby Ross as our coach again…
I wouldn't want him back
Once he burned his diploma, I wouldn’t recognize he existed. He may have done things for the school but that’s a no go in my book. I almost feel like Anderson should start over and open it back up for new coaches… but at this point he made his bed, this is his coach of the future. A new Def coordinated is needed or at least an overhaul… and the offense can work but needs the players. I am holding off judgment on new coaches and anything along those lines for a few yrs. I feel like the offense could work and CJ Brown is making it work but the previous players were not recruited for this offense. I think DOB is a better QB overall but Brown could become a better “College System” QB… which ends up = selling insurance in Nebraska with Eric Crouch.
by Reignman3133 on Oct 16, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Sooo what you're saying is.. Randy Edsall should have said:
“Oh hey Nick.. come here buddy. Come right over here. First, here’s a hug for you big guy (big Edsall hug). That was a really tough break and a bad decision on your part to kick directly to Watkins…again. But really it’s ok buddy. I mean, I only told you about 50,000 times not to kick directly to Watkins. I might have mentioned the fact that we needed to do everything we could offensively, defensively, AND on special teams to win this game. But I….I LOVE YOU MAN. Keep you’re chin up. You’re a real swell guy and despite all the pre-game preperations, video footage, on-field reps, etc…. oh to hell with all that. We are like two turtles in a pond Nick. Turtle power my friend”
by kevinANGERson on Oct 16, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
NIce, thanks for the funny post
But I didn’t say that either. Frankly, neither you nor I know if he did indeed tell Ferrara to kick it away from Watkins, or to kick it high in order to give the tacklers time to get downfield and stop him before he gets a head of steam. We ASSUME he told Ferrara to kick it away from him, but you know that old cliche about assuming.
But let’s say Edsall DID tell him to kick it away from Watkins. Does this give him the right to get mad and yell at him? Certainly. Does this give him the right to physically grab Ferrara when he turns away? Not in my book. And more importantly, not in any potential recruit’s book either. Things like that get coaches fired.
Like I said, did you see Sweeney and Johnson get mad at their players and yell at them for bone-headed plays these past two weeks? Yep. Did you also see them end the tirade with encouragement? Yep again. Whom would YOU rather play for, or work for as your boss?
I’m not asking for Mary Poppins on the Terps sidelines, but I don’t want Mussolini either. These are still college KIDS, not professionals. And you have to recruit other kids to replace them when they leave. We’ve seen this nearly every week from Edsall, and so have the potential recruits. We’ve just never seen him go to the level of grabbing a player before, hopefully we won’t see it again.
You do make a good point
I certainly don’t condone the arm grabbing. But it makes one wonder. Are the rumors of him losing the locker room true? Is the stress and frustration from that boiling over on the sideline?
by kevinANGERson on Oct 16, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Question
when’s the last time (football or bball) we beat a ranked team? All I remember from last years bball team was losing close games to ranked teams where we blew a chance to win. This year’s football team is turning into the same story. Anyone remember the last time?
NC State for Football... not sure for BBall
NCST was ranked last yr when we beat them… I believe #21
by Reignman3133 on Oct 16, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
see #25
hate to use facts but..
http://collegefootball.about.com/od/schools/tp/rankings-preseason.htm
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hate to use the actual AP and USA Today rankings
Instead of about.com’s pre-season rankings, but
Those are what most people use instead of a blog….
Not completely jumping on the CJ bandwagon, but
If it’s CJ playing against Miami in the first game, pretty sure we win that game if he plays anything like he did against Clemson. He showed tonight he can complete most of those short screen passes as well as make decisions very quickly. He also wouldn’t have thrown that INT that DOB did against Miami in the 1st half – He would have simply run it in for a TD. Tough to look backwards and make claims like that – hey a new QB changes tons of things for that game, but he is clearly better suited for this O system even when compared to DOB’s best game this season.
Its also just one game. Good enough to earn him more chances, but not a consistent star yet either.
I am extremely concerned about Edsall's demeanor with the players.
I was a teacher and I understand how frustrating it can be when you feel like you’ve given kids a simply task and the tools to complete the task and they can’t do it. But if you think that you’re going to get through to a 19 year old kid by screaming in his face, you’re insane. These aren’t people making $10,000,000 a year. They’re kids on year-to-year scholarships being told to be perfect players, perfect students, and perfect people. Having a coach scream in their face, rather than try to teach them what they did wrong and how to correct it, is going to turn off a lot of current players and will turn off a lot of potential future players.
I am tired of the old-school mentality that screaming is how you coach. It doesn’t have to be.
I’m a teacher, and I know that there are few more effective ways of getting teenagers to tune you out than by yelling at them, especially in front of 50,000 people.
You really think Tyler didn’t know he dropped a touchdown pass?
by UtzTheCrabChip on Oct 16, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Edsall vs Most Other Coaches I Watch
First off, I was excited to have Edsall as our coach after watching his introductory press conference. Seemed very passionate and emphasized that he would bring toughness and discipline to a program in need of both. However, after attending fan day (I was one of about an estimated 300 people, I’d say) I came away with a different impression. I was expecting a high energy coach that would be very involved in all facets of the team. What I saw wasn’t what I expected. Edsall walked around with a little notepad and kept notes. He did seem to have a pretty good rapport with the players, joking around with them during warm ups, and then again at the end of practice when he put Ferrara on about the 40 yrd line to line up a field goal to end practice. Make it and practice was over….miss it (which he did) and the team had to run ten 100 yd sprints. After the first miss the players joked that the fg attempt was too far. Laughing, he gave Ferrara a second chance and put the ball on about the 35…..missed again….and the running began. I came away from the practice a bit surprised that Edsall wasn’t more involved in all the goings on that day. Seemed a bit above it all, if you ask me. And I didn’t come away overly impressed with the assistants either. Nobody in particular really, just that they didn’t seem to have the players undivided attention.
Now that we’re well into the season I have watched Edsall carefully on the sideline each game. Compared to the coach on the opposite sideline, Edsall seems uninvolved. He’s got the headset on, but does very little talking….or coaching. You see Coach Ambrose of Towson? Coach Johnson of GTech? Sweeney last night? Holgorson of WVU? These guys are fist pumping, chest bumping (well…not Johnson) and coaching ‘em up on the sideline. And then his use err…..misuse of timeouts last night just seemed like his head wasn’t in the game. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt right now, as we’re only a few minutes…and big plays, from beating WVU, GA Tech and Clemson…not bad really….considering the lack of overall talent, speed and skill.
By the way, is it just me or does our team suffer more injuries than the typical team? Year in and year out we’re losing players for the season…some during the preseason…just sayin. Never seen anything like it.
Clm-MD game is the best TV entertainment for the week
The TIgers had not won in College Park in a while and they needed a weak Terp defense to secure a win. Lets place the remaining Terp games in national TV and get out of the “falling sleep Sat afternoon networks” => U or ESPN3.
The Terps have more to give than new uniforms!
All due respect, but...
… a team should be better than 2-4 if it wants national games. I’m just happy that Maryland games are consistently on television now. That wasn’t always the case, even just a short time ago. If Maryland wants an ABC or ESPN game, though, it needs to be contending for something.
by Tezcatlipoca on Oct 17, 2011 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
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