Maryland Can't Capitalize on Scoring Chances, Falls to Wake Forest 31-10
by Ben Broman on Nov 19, 2011 6:52 PM EST
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Tanner Price threw for 320 yards, Brandon Pendergrass ran for 125 yards, and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons clinched bowl eligibility with a 31-10 over the Maryland Terrapins. Good for them, I guess.
The big story around these parts, though, is the Terps' losing their ninth game of the year. They're coming dangerously close to the ignominy of repeating 2009's 2-10 campaign, as they finish up business next week with a road trip to N.C. State, which just threw down on Clemson earlier today. It's wasn't exactly in the plans when Randy Edsall took the reigns of a 9-4 team in January.
As we've seen so often this year, Wake Forest struck first, taking their second drive of the game 75 yards and scoring on a 2-yard Tanner Price touchdown pass. Maryland's defense tightened up, though, and kept the Deacs scoreless for the rest of the half. The Terrapins equalized on a well-run two-minute drill right before the half, with C.J. Brown finding Justus Pickett on a wheel route for a 31-yard touchdown.
The second half, though, went all Wake's way. The Deacons put up 24 second-half points, easily slicing through a tired Maryland defense. In comparison, the Terrapins had a Davin Meggett touchdown pulled back due to an illegal shift, missed a field goal (another came in the first half), dropped an easy touchdown, and failed to score after getting the ball at the Wake Forest 11-yard line.
So you could pretty easily make the argument that the Terrapins gave away anywhere between 20 and 24 points. All about execution.
The defense, for what it's worth, wasn't quite as bad as the numbers will tell you. Wake hung upwards of 500 yards on the Terps, including nearly 200 on the ground, but most of that came in the explosive second-half. That's been a weekly thing for Maryland, and it has much to do with how poor the offense is. Maryland rarely has sustained drives, which means the defense is always on the field and, by the late third-quarter, is completely gassed. We saw that again today: Maryland's time of possession was only 23 minutes.
(The one thing that still retains value is the occasionally awful tackling show. They really need to work on that.)
Speaking of Maryland's offense, though: C.J. Brown was back for the first game since the Boston College game three weeks ago, starting in lieu of the injured Danny O'Brien. He was more or less adequate; he was far from winning the game single-handedly, but I didn't think he was particularly bad, either. His final line of 20-42 wasn't especially impressive, but my bigger problem is with Gary Crowton. Brown isn't a throwing QB; the focus of the offense when he's in the game should be easy short-to-intermediate throws and heavy, heavy amounts of the zone-read option. Instead, Brown went deep pretty consistently - even more, it seemed, than O'Brien ever did. Asking Brown to do that is like asking O'Brien to run the triple-option. It's a terrible waste of what he's actually good at.
When they did focus on the zone-read or letting Brown get out and run, things were much better. He finished with 110 yards on 13 carries for an 8.5 average, including runs of 20, 24, and 30 yards. Those are drive- and game-changing plays. No, he isn't great at passing, but there's absolutely no reason he should do it 42 times a game. He's a running QB. Run him.
In other depressing news, another old haunt of Maryland's reared its ugly head: special teams. Nick Ferrara had a monstrous game, and not in a good way. He missed two very makable field goals, of 32 and 36 yards. He threw in punts of 15 and 32 yards. Just an all-around bad day at the office in what's been a very difficult year for Ferrara.
All in all, Maryland's offense gets the lion's share of the blame for this one, but it was an all-around ugly game for the Terrapins in what's been an all-around ugly season. There's little, and sometimes it seems nothing, on which to build some hope in College Park.
Stock report coming tomorrow or Monday. The hardwood Terps take on Iona tomorrow at 2:00 for the Scott Machado-Momo Jones-Terrell Stoglin Battle Royale. Be there.
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If we beat Iona tomorrow, whats that mean for the season?
But this is one of the few times I would actually mention the commentators during a game re-cap
They were so god-damn awful it actually made the game more painful to watch.
My fear is Kevin Andersen will actually go out and fire Johnny Holiday because he wants the radio play-by-play to go in a new direction and hire those two clowns on multi-year, too-expensive-to-buy-out contracts to call our games from now on.
Joe Tessitore
Called the game last night in Ames and he’s great. I love the intensity, but he’s not over the top.
by TerpFan2001 on Nov 19, 2011 7:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Can we fire him now?
No? Someone wake me when this is all over. I’ll be on the basketball train.
Fear the Turgle!
The good news is there’s a basketball game tomorrow!!!
by TerpFan2001 on Nov 19, 2011 7:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions
please...
2 missed field goals…b s call reversing a td….400 yards of offense 10 points? fumbled the snap when trying to ground the ball to stop the clock? dropped td pass. Coaching wasn’t todays problem. the mugging of our recievers in the red zone was rediculous.
give Edsall a chance to evaluate and develop the team in his image…I love UMD…I have been a fan since the 70’s. I’ve seen the ups and downs. It is a tough business building a winning football program that can consistantly win every year. This team is at square 1 since Fridge half-assed it for the last 7 years…then he had one fluke decent (not good) season and he tried to bully himself into a contract extention. ( then of course he lost his mind…but thats another story). I believe Edsall has the toughness/vigor and philosphy that can win consistantly. The flashy stuff never lasts long and usually fizzles out quick…The consistant winners don’t use a spread offense…you have to have a decent passing game, but you need to pound it and run the option as well. Next year will be more interesting ….the year after will be a winner.
why is it...nobody else in the acc can invent anything? google,pulse doppler radar,underarmour,hybrid engine,universal price code,jumbotron,coronary stents,automatic parachute, sirius satellite,insulin pumps,muppets,wire,seinfeld,boondocks,apollo 13,octane system,sydicate baywatch,broke watergate,retractable landing gear,linear programming,outback steakhouse,frequent flyr systems,more nattys,more accs,more academy awards,more pulitzers,more nobels.
WTF?
You said “The consistant winners don’t use a spread offense”. Your buddy Edsall hired Crowton who specializes in the spread so I suppose that means Edsall won’t be a consistent winner.
by TerpFan2001 on Nov 19, 2011 7:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
what i meant was...
…don’t DEPEND on a spread offense (like leach).
why is it...nobody else in the acc can invent anything? google,pulse doppler radar,underarmour,hybrid engine,universal price code,jumbotron,coronary stents,automatic parachute, sirius satellite,insulin pumps,muppets,wire,seinfeld,boondocks,apollo 13,octane system,sydicate baywatch,broke watergate,retractable landing gear,linear programming,outback steakhouse,frequent flyr systems,more nattys,more accs,more academy awards,more pulitzers,more nobels.
by TERPLANDLORD on Nov 19, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
Newsflash
Maryland’s failures on the field reflect poor motivation, poor preparation and poor scheming, all problems indicative of bad coaching. Well coached teams tend to execute well. Poorly coached teams tend to execute poorly.
by BeverlyHillsTerp on Nov 19, 2011 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Let me add to my previous statement above.
I read this 15 minutes ago and am still laughing.
by CarolinaTerp on Nov 19, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
I'll grant you that play execution was an issue, as it has been all year
But if you actually couldn’t see how bad the play CALLING was this game….
Well, I hope you’re right about the future. Me, I guess I’m more realistic based on watching how badly this team was coached. Yet again….
Exactly
That’s not to say that Ralph’s (Ralph’s staff’s) play calling wasn’t infuriating at times but this set of coaches had achieved a whole new level of SUCK!
by NeonParkTerp on Nov 19, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
Future of Maryland Football
If they stay healthy, the Terps defense should be fairly decent in 2012. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but have been young and inconsistent.
The big decision that needs to be made in December is whether to keep Gary Crowton. The offense has no identify and his play-calling is extremely haphazard. My vote would be to go back to a spread-offense that fits Danny O’Brien and build from there.
Special teams also needs to be addressed. Nick Ferrara was hurt last year, but there was a clear reason that he was not able to win his job back from Travis Baltz. Friedgen and his staff knew something and only used him on kickoffs.
2nd year will be big for Edsall and he has some important decisions to make regarding his staff. While there is not likely to be any wholesale changes, they need to take a close look at what they are doing.
This year has been a big disappointment, and hopefully next year will be better.
by bruterp on Nov 19, 2011 8:05 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
the lack of size, speed, maturity...
….and the pitiful depth situation needs to be addressed…and that doesn’t happen overnight in college football,
why is it...nobody else in the acc can invent anything? google,pulse doppler radar,underarmour,hybrid engine,universal price code,jumbotron,coronary stents,automatic parachute, sirius satellite,insulin pumps,muppets,wire,seinfeld,boondocks,apollo 13,octane system,sydicate baywatch,broke watergate,retractable landing gear,linear programming,outback steakhouse,frequent flyr systems,more nattys,more accs,more academy awards,more pulitzers,more nobels.
by TERPLANDLORD on Nov 19, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Good post, bruterp.
I’ve been sitting here thinking about my weekly response, but you’ve said it all, and a lot better than I would have put it. I could complain about the staff, the hires, the administration: but it doesn’t change anything. We’ve got to get better because it can’t get worse than this year.
by CarolinaTerp on Nov 19, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Cr(ap)ton should be the first to go, IMO;
The play calling was absolutely abysmal today. Knowing Cj would start, I fully expected we’d focus on the run. Not only did we throw the ball WAY too much, we threw it deep WAY too often, and in the wrong situations. Third and three (or so) in Wake territory early in the game, and he throws a deep pass. It made no sense whatsoever.
The defense has been riddled with injuries to key players, and has been on the field far too long. Still, they played well in stretches despite the adversity.
Special teams need to be scrapped and revamped. Not sold on Ferrara. We have a good soccer program, right? There’s gotta be a good kicker we could find somewhere.
Deep Passes
I actually liked that Crowton called some deep plays. WRs were getting open and CJ was missing. He’s going to have to work on that this off-season for sure. Maybe it was a few too many times, but you have to have some.
I think some of those plays kept Wake’s D honest. When you show that you are willing to go downfield, it opens up the running game/short passing game a bit more if the corners aren’t playing so close to the line.
i don’t think you can run brown as much as you would like to because there is no back-up quarterback. ideally i’d run brown 20 times a game because he is maryland’s most dangerous runner.
the choice between Brown and DOB...
is really tough. DOB is more of a pro-style player (even though he isn’t good enough to make the pro’s). Brown is more the type of qb for a winning college program, If he can improve ever-so slightly in his passing game….he gives so many more offensive options.
why is it...nobody else in the acc can invent anything? google,pulse doppler radar,underarmour,hybrid engine,universal price code,jumbotron,coronary stents,automatic parachute, sirius satellite,insulin pumps,muppets,wire,seinfeld,boondocks,apollo 13,octane system,sydicate baywatch,broke watergate,retractable landing gear,linear programming,outback steakhouse,frequent flyr systems,more nattys,more accs,more academy awards,more pulitzers,more nobels.
by TERPLANDLORD on Nov 19, 2011 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
DOB isn't good enough to make the pros???
Uhhh, John Beck and Rex Grossman are in the NFL.
by 1 proud terp on Nov 20, 2011 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Quick recruiting note: Dvario Montgomery on UMD visit
“it was real good. I liked the atmosphere(????)the only thing about it , it was cold. I could adapt to that fine. Other than that, everything was nice. I loved the coaches . Coach ( Randy) Edsall, all of them… they were showing me so much love . They showed me basically everything that happens. The players, everyone true , there was no messing around… I respected it”- per The Orlando sentinel. We are in his top 2 with USF.
Recruiting
My biggest issue with Edsall is the currently 60ish ranked class for next year. I realize it’s early and signing day is several months away, but the Fridge never had a class as bad as the incoming class for Edsall. I really hope he can close the deal and get some of these talented guys considering the Terps. If not, it’s going to be a long 5 more years.
by TerpFan2001 on Nov 19, 2011 9:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's pretty par for the course for visit comments
Hopefully he lands him. Montgomery is a pretty rare situation. He’s an elite, four-star WR, whom some rank above WRs committed to Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and FSU. For whatever reason he seems to have an aversion to the elite southern schools. He just crossed off one of his leaders due to A.D. upheaval. Maryland got involved very late. I mean, it’s basically us going head-to-head with USF. I don’t think we’re ever going to go head-to-head with a school as non-elite as USF for an elite recruit.
I’m not saying he should be a Terp, but Edsall isn’t going to get many opportunities this easy.
edsall and the Terps
1. for a moment I thought they lookded better…
2..did not take long to feel as if this was a jr high school coacning job
3. this coaching staff is way over it ‘s head
4. perhaps we do not have the talent….the recruictinmg is not up to par(blame on prior personnel) ..but…this staff is way over it’s head
5. horribile calls…..on offense….defense.. bad
6 did I mention that this staff is way over their head!!!!
The drive after the blocked punt.
Pretty much sums up the year. Crwtn is an absolute f%cking nit wit. I seriously don’t cuss that much either but this guy is a bonehead. The defense really isn’t the problem, I keep saying this and yes they’ve been gashed but they have made enough stops to keep us in these games yet the offense continues to stumble and they have to be on the field for 40 minutes a game.
I still don't understand...
You have an injury riddled, inexperienced defense. Why are we still running the no-huddle hurry up? At this point in the season, shouldn’t even your 3 and outs last close to 2 minutes?
It would make sense if you were putting up points to counter an ineffective defense, but that is clearly not the case.
by UtzTheCrabChip on Nov 19, 2011 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
See, I actually sort of disagree w/ you there
Because our offense is so terribly inept while not running the no-huddle hurry-up. In fact, I think we need to dial it up to more of what we saw against Miami. That’s when the offense clicks. An established HUNH drive lasts longer than any three-and-out, partially because no three-and-out is going to take two minutes unless you run it three times. More importantly, HUNH results in points. That’s the most important thing anyway, and it sort of makes all this a moot point.
I actually can't disagree with anything you say...
But it just seems like every game I’ve been to this year (save miami/clemson/2nd half WV), my impression of the offense has been “wait, they’re punting already? I didn’t know you could run 3 plays that fast?”
by UtzTheCrabChip on Nov 19, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
I hope you're joking.
There is no way in hell Urban Meyer even steps foot on campus unless its to call a game or coach another team against us.
I for one am very encouraged
by the direction of Terp F-Ball. Most of the bad seeds are out. Next year will begin the start of a renaissance where the coaching staff will be able to build upon the basic installation of the team’s core values. The tried and true read and react wide 3-4 Defense will be even better once the team has further digested its intricacies during the off season. They will add a combo 2-deep/interior zone/man-to-man wideout coverage, totally confusing terp opponents. The D will be so good that NO 2nd Half adjustments will be needed. I’m encouraged by the special teams not allowing any TD’s this week. Our kicker was able to land one in the endzone also, Kudos. On Offence the OC fooled everyone again this week by calling many plays that Wake never expected. Damn the poor execution. Next year Crowton will really cross them up with some new wrinkles on the WR screen, and some interior dives on 3rd and long. Nobody will expect those plays, especially after this year. As for recruiting, better to get those great students who are also football players and who really buy into RE’s system. RE and staff can then more easily coach them up. Besides "Four and Five Stars" are generally motivated more by individual goals(NFL) and rarely the virtues of the team concept. …Or…. we can find 20000 fans who will put $10/wk for the next year into an escrow account and buy the Bastards out. Sorry, I must have lost it, Please send Kool-aide, stat.
Unless we land some recruits that can contribute next year, I don't think we can do what you predict
We don’t ave the depth at LB to play a 3-4 and the backups have not done well. Mario’s play against FSU is a good example. Twice he hit Wilder two yards behind the line of scrimmage and Wilder still got 4 yd gains. Mario will have to put on 40 lbs to play the position. The same is true for Kearse. As to shut down corners, I don’t see them on our roster especially with our lack of a pass rush. Another consideration is staying with any type of containment defense with such an ineffective offense. Unless the offense next year can put together 70 yard drives, we need an aggressive defense that can create turnovers and give use field position.
FSU/UVA
Insane last minute of the game. UVA TD, horrible broken leg injury, 4th down stop overturned by penalty, incomplete pass review, false start on the defense, and a missed FG. Crazy!
by TerpFan2001 on Nov 19, 2011 11:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
As Coach John McKay once said...
..about his winless Tampa Bay Bucs when asked about his team’s execution after yet another miserable loss, “I’m all for their execution”. We can’t just blame the kids in this case, but damn this year has been a real bummer. Tickets have been in my family since 1930, (yes, 82 years), but I can’t keep submitting myself to this misery much longer. Thank God basketball season has started….
Is it just me or is anyone else fed up with
or at least baffled by Gary Crowton’s play calling. I’ve always thought that one of the main jobs a coach has is to utilize the relative strengths of his players. Why did CJ Brown throw 42 passes yesterday? For example, after the TD is called back, he calls 2 straight fade routes (at least according to the radio broadcast) which Brown probably has trouble completing in practice. I could go on but I’m a bit p.o’d.
Crowton's playcalling isn't great
but the defense is the bigger problem, imo. Tackling is horrible. Frequently, there’s no contact on running plays until the opposing RB is 6 or 7 yards downfield. The same thing happened against UVA. The secondary gave up wide open pass completions, but that was caused a lot by the D-line not getting pressure on the QB.
No arguments about the defense
I think Todd Bradford’s been in over his head all year but they’re thin on depth and young. I’m not giving them a pass for their role in the nightmare of this season but isn’t that all the more reason to look to maintain possession of the ball when we have it? It just seems to me that featuring a running game with a significant amount of option reads plays much more to CJ Brown’s strengths than having him throw the ball 42 times in a game. Plus, even if you’re not successful in stringing together a long drive or even a few first downs you can at least burn a little more clock, give the defense a little more rest and fewer opportunities to miss coverages and tackles.
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