The University of Maryland needed OT, to survive an upset scare by James Madison tonight in College Park.
While JMU was ranked as the 6th overall in the preseason 1AA-poll, it is hard to justify MD being pushed to the brink vs. the Dukes.
This is a team that MD possessed a significant size advantage on, but James Madison was able to put-up 35 points on the board.
While JMU was familiar with the Terps Defensive Coordinator Don Brown, it is deflating that James Madison’s offense was able to put 28pts on the board. (other 7pts the result of a Chris Turner INT)
MD let up 418 yards of offense to James Madison, including 268 on the ground. That is simply not acceptable.
Where I will give the Terps credit, is coming back from 28-21, and 35-28 deficits. The pressure was solely on the Terps at that point, and MD deserves credit for making the plays necessary at the end to win.
Jeff Barker from The Baltimore Sun is reporting the most significant news of the night, that CB Nolan Carroll has broken his leg, and is likely done for the year.
Nick Ferrara who kicked two field-goals against Cal, remained perfect for the season, with the game-winner in OT.
Turner completed 25 passes tonight, to 9 different receivers for 237 yards.
If tonight was a bad-dream for Maryland, the opponent next week is a reminder of a nightmare. 1-1 Middle Tennessee comes to College Park, fresh off of their victory over Memphis today. This will lead to a week of remembrance of the Middle Tennessee victory over the Terps last-season.
Besides beating Memphis tonight, Middle Tennessee has already played on the road this against Clemson in Death Valley. If you can experience that setting, and you have a roster full of players with the experience of beating MD last year, you will have a team that will not be intimidated to play the Terps this week.
It is an absolute must win game for MD, and a game where they need to show improvement. The Terps have to be 2-1 going into their 9/26 game at-home vs. Rutgers.
Besides getting a win, MD needs to end next week feeling better about themselves especially with their offensive and defensive lines.
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.