The University of Maryland lost their first Atlantic Coast Conference game of the year tonight at Wake Forest.
With the loss, MD falls to 2-4 overall, and 1-1 in league, and Atlantic division play.
The Terps out-scored Wake 22-7 in the 2nd-half, but were not able to overcome the 25 point half-time deficit.
Wake Forest is always a difficult match-up for nearly everyone in the conference. Demon Deacon Head Coach Jim Grobe gets more out of his players, than their overall talent really should allow for. That is not a back-handed compliment, I respect Coach Grobe, and Wake for not taking Saturday’s off.
On the other-hand, I am very frustrated by the results of tonight. Wake is the 3rd team MD has played this year, where the Terps took the field as the more talented team. In those three games, the Terps needed over-time to beat James Madison, lost to Middle Tennessee State at-home, and gave-up over 500 yards of offense to Wake. That is coaching, preparation, and scheme.
I am listening to Terp Radio Legend Johnny Holiday call the game tonight, and in utter amazement that the Terps were caught off-guard by Wake attempting to establish their run. Yes, the Deacons came into tonight throwing the ball more often with their SR QB Riley Skinner, but Wake has always used their run-game to set-up their passing-attack under Grobe.
The Terps shut-out Wake 26-0, just last-year. You could argue that MD has a deeper, more athletic defense this season. How in the world, do you allow nearly 400 yards of offense, and 5 Touchdowns in the 1st-half? It just boggles the mind.
I believe Wake had about 375 yards in the 1st-half. They finished the game with 517 total yards. That means in the 2nd-half, Wake was limited to 142 yards or so, and 1 touchdown. Obviously adjustments were made that worked. Where were those adjustments during the 1st-half? How many times was Mr. Holiday forced to say that the MD pressure was picked-up, and that Skinner was beating the MD Secondary in man-coverage?
Winning road-games in College are always very difficult, I get that. My point is not that MD should have been expected to win, my point is that MD came into this game with more talent – and with better preparation, and scheme, should have been positioned to leave Winston Salem with the W.
A win tonight would have positioned the Terps well going-forward, especially as Boston College, and NCST both lost today, and FSU is in a fight with Georgia Tech.
I do have to credit the Terps tonight for showing some fight in the 2nd-half.
Turner finished with over 300 yards passing, and 3 TD’s. Torrey Smith had another 10 receptions, and 194 kick-return yards.
Adrian Cannon stepped-up with 2 TD’s, and fellow receivers Ronnie Tyler, and Kerry Boykins also got more involved with the offense.
Meggett was a complete non-factor tonight, but Gary Douglas added 75 receiving yards out of the back-field.
True Freshman RB Caleb Porzel saw the first action of his career with 2 carries. You could question using Porzel in a game where you were down 25points, and ending his ability to red-shirt. Since you have used him, the idea should be to use him and his talent as much as possible to end this season.
Ferrara hit a 50 yard field-goal, and was effective again as the punter backing up the injured Travis Baltz.
I will also give the MD defense for showing some pride, and forcing 3 punts in the 2nd-half.
Win or lose, the attention would have had to immediately turn to Virginia anyway. All MD can do now, is go home and commit to defending their home-field.
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.