The Maryland Terrapins were in Charlottesville for their border-war game against the University of Virginia. Virginia’s biggest Atlantic Coast Conference rival will always be Virginia Tech. Despite that, and even considering that Maryland is in the Atlantic Division, while the Cavs are in the Coastal Division; this game is the closest the Terps get to a true rivalry game in ACC Football play.
The Terps entered the game today, with an opportunity to control their own fate. Win on the road against UVA, while winning the remaining home game against Florida State and North Carolina State – and Maryland will end the regular season as the winner of the Atlantic Division.
When you play your rival, with everything to gain, there are no moral victories. All that matters is finding a way to leave the field with the win. In the end, everything beyond wins and losses are superfluous. Give the Terps credit for doing what was necessary to head back to College Park with a 42-23 victory. With the win Maryland is 7-3 overall, and 4-2 in the ACC. If they win their next two games, they will head to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game.
Some brief takeaways:
1) Going on the road, and not coughing the ball up once shows a level of maturity for the Terps.
2) Maryland was 6 for 14 on 3rd down, which is not overly impressive, but O’Brien sustained a number of drives with quality throws on 3rd and long. The second Terps drive of the game featured a beautiful strike to Smith in 1×1 coverage against the blitz. The 62 yard gain to Smith also game on 3rd and 4.
3) The ESPN commentators correctly pointed out just how accurate O’Brien is with his deep throws. Pin-point placement on the ball directly over the shoulders of his receivers.
4) Several times in the game Maryland lost momentum, by allowing the Cavs to make plays on Special Teams. A large reverse on a kickoff, a fake on a FG attempt, a significant punt return. That has to be looked at.
5) When you think of the Maryland QB with legs, you think of Robinson. With that in-mind, it was interesting seeing O’Brien with the QB keeper for TD from 12 yards out.
6) Early in the game, the receivers McCree and Williams dropped a couple of passes. Both would make-up for it later. McCree caught a 55 yard pass in the 2nd Quarter, which would set-up the Terps 3rd TD. Facing another 3rd and long (14 yards to go) Williams made an outstanding catch off of a tipped pass, with under a minute to go in the 3rd Quarter. This would set-up the first of the three Terps TD’s in the 4th.
7) The final numbers for DJ Adams were not overly impressive (13 carries, 34 yards, 2.6 yards per carry), but his downhill running made a difference at the goal-line as he scored 3 times. With 6 minutes left in the 1st-half, Maryland had a 4th and 1 on the VA 12 yard-line. Loved seeing the Power I formation with Adams pushing through. He consistently falls forward.
7a) Adams scored on a 4th and 1 in the 2nd Quarter after great blocks by OT RJ Dill, and FB Taylor Watson. Later DT Zack Kerr would join the offense and provide a solid block or two. The Adams score on 4th and 1, came after Franklin called a roll-out for O’Brien on 3rd and Goal. Maryland put the ball in the end-zone eventually, but they made things more difficult than needed.
7b) Not a bad day for Scott, 11 carries for 55 yards, but it could have been better. Missed a chance at a TD run when he was tackled by the ground.
8) Twice the Terps tried end-arounds in the first-half that gained nothing. The offense gets a little too cute at times when I do not think they have to. They have the skill position talent necessary to line-up and beat people. Trickery is not needed.
9) Dorsey has been coming on a receiver (no action today though) but another heralded WR Kerry Boykins stepped-up with a grab today.
10) The Terps run defense improved in the 2nd half. Vellano became more active, and Gloster’s week-to-week improvement is evident.
11) Several nice-plays from Hartsfield. Obviously none bigger than the sack he had on a 3rd and 8, that pushed UVA to their 5. Maryland would take over on the UVA 42 yard line after the punt with 12:30 left in the 4th. Maryland scores their second TD of the Quarter with 8 minutes left and the game was effectively over.
12) The final margin could have been even higher had Super Safety Kenny Tate not missed an easy pick 6 in the 4th.
13) Franklin and Moten with picks to close out the game.
Up-Next:
Byrd Stadium will be rocking next Saturday night (8pm start) when the Seminoles come to town. Florida State hosts the Clemson Tigers tonight. Assuming FSU beats the Tigers as expected tonight, FSU will come to College Park with a 7-3, 5-2 record.
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.