A Maryland Terrapins team that has been decimated by defensive injuries, did not have the play makers necessary to beat a talented Seminoles team in Tallahassee. However, while the 41-16 result indicates a rout, the play of several younger Terps provided some positives to take from the loss.

The most interesting question coming out of this game for the Terps is who starts for Maryland next week? Last week, Clemson made adjustments in the 2nd half and began to limit CJ Brown on the ground. Today, FSU had too much team speed for Brown to make a difference with his legs; and the QB was able to get little accomplished with his arm. The worst part of Brown’s day came when he was the victim of a vicious hit which knocked him out of the game. For the record, I did not think that play warranted the flag which was thrown.

Danny O’Brien would enter the game, and clearly looked to be the better passing QB.

The Good:

1) Returning to the lineup today was DL Andre Monroe. On the Seminoles 3rd offensive series, Monroe was able to bring a pass rush, which allowed LB Lorne Goree to get the sack and force a punt.

1a) Goree had another good game, constantly finding himself around the ball.

2) With Kevin Dorsey injured and out of action, the Freshman Marcus Leak got the start, and had 7 catches, 51 yards, and a TD.

3) McDougle did a good job of getting positioning and coming down with under-thrown Manuel pass.

4) Jr. DL AJ Francis had a nice sack, dropping Manuel for an 8 yard loss.

5) RS Freshman LB Mario Rowson also had a sack.

6) Furstenburg did a great job holding on to his 21 yard catch, near the end of the first half.

7) Maryland had a 13 play, 75 yard drive to end the half, which resulted in a FG. This gave the Terps something positive to take into the locker-room.

8) Freshman CB AJ Hendy had a nice Special Teams tackle on Maryland’s first punt of the 2nd half. He made a similar play to start the 4th.

9) I point out below that Chism had a poor tackling attempt in the 1st half. He redeemed himself in the 2nd half, with a strong play in space on 3rd and 5 for the Seminoles.

10) McCree had a big game with 9 catches, for 177 yards. His 5th grab was important as he was just in front of the sticks, but was able to keep his legs moving for the 1st down. On his 69 yard grab later in the 3rd, he was able to out leap the FSU defender.

11) True Freshman DE Keith Bowers swarmed on Manuel for an 11 yard sack in the 3rd. Bowers showed some explosion as he beat the FSU tackle off the edge.

12) O’Brien finished 9 for 19, for 180 yards, with 1 TD in the air, and another TD on the ground.

The Bad:

1) After trouble defending Kickoffs on Special Teams last week, it was disappointing to see a continuation of that on the opening Kickoff today. Another poor play on a Kickoff occurred after O’Brien’s TD run which pulled Maryland within two scores at 24-10.

2) On 3rd and 7 on the first series of the game, RJ Dill was called for a false start, forcing the Terps into a 3rd and 12. As the first half ended, Dill would be called for another penalty. He picked up a third penalty in the 3rd quarter and also had a lot of trouble defending FSU defenders off the edge.

2a) Pete White picked up a 2nd half penalty.

3) Poor tackling from Maryland, illustrated early by Chism attempting to bump a FSU receiver to the ground as opposed to wrapping up.

4) On the Terps 3rd offensive series, CJ Brown and Maryland faced 3rd and 8. FSU brought just 3 rushers, but was still able to get to Brown.

5) Down 14-0 late in the 1st, Maryland had FSU facing 3rd and 13 from the 50 yard line. Manuel was able to hit Reed (completely undefended) for 31 yards.

6) Maryland allowed 6 sacks today. The sacks were a combination of the skill and speed of FSU, the Terrapin QB’s holding on to the ball too long, and the Terps offensive-line having issues blocking.

6a) I would have liked to have seen some adjustments from Coach Crowton at some point during the game. Two TE sets, a FB. A Jumbo package, with an extra OT. Something to give his Offensive line some help.

The Ugly:

1) Marcus Whitfield committed a dumb late hit, giving FSU an additional 15 yards. Maurice Hampton had a similar personal foul late in the 4th.

2) Ferrara’s 4th punt was just horrible, going only 14 yards, and allowing FSU to start at the MD 43.

3) Maryland had 6 possessions in the first half. On the first five possessions, they gained no more than 38 yards, and had to punt each time.

4) Prior to Brown’s injury, I thought a change at QB needed to occur for Maryland to have any chance to get back into the game. That said, I hated seeing Brown literally get knocked out of the game. That was as hard a hit as you will see a QB take.

5) Considering how out-manned they were, the Maryland defense did a good job most of the game. The 41 yard TD run from Freeman late in the 4th was pretty ugly, as the Seminoles blew open a whole at the point of attack, and the Terps defenders were flat-footed as Freeman ran by them.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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