How will team rebound after stunning loss to Middle Tennessee?
For shock value, it wasn’t Appalachian State-Michigan. But Maryland’s 24-14 loss at Middle Tennessee was at least a major tremor, with potential implications for the future.
Can the Terrapins rebound from such a demoralizing defeat?
It’s not as if coach Ralph Friedgen hasn’t been here before. In 2003, his team opened with a loss at I-AA Northern Illinois, then was thrashed by Florida State. But Maryland rallied to win 10 of its last 11, certifying Friedgen’s ability to stare down adversity.
How will Friedgen handle it this time?
“I think it’s very important that I stay positive,” said the coach on Sunday. “I think this team has a lot of talent on it. I think it has a lot of great kids and I think they have a lot of character. One night doesn’t make a season.”
That’s the hope anyway. In Murfreesboro Saturday night, Maryland (1-1) struggled against the spread offense of Middle Tennessee (1-1). Behind veteran quarterback Joe Craddock (28 of 40, 256 yards), the Blue Raiders dominated possession, holding the ball 39 minutes, 49 seconds, to 20:11 for the Terps.
“We didn’t communicate very well as a defense. I didn’t think we were very aggressive, especially on the perimeter,” said Friedgen. “They dinked and ducked us a lot.”
Meanwhile, Maryland’s quarterback woes continued as Chris Turner (13 of 28, 207 yards, 3 interceptions) struggled with consistency and Josh Portis (6 carries, 31 yards) looked comfortable only when tucking the ball under his arm and running.
It doesn’t bode well for Saturday’s game against visiting California (2-0). The Golden Bears have scored a combined 104 points in wins over Michigan State and Washington State.
“We’ve really got to get ourselves back together,” said Friedgen. “This is a really good team. They a lot of speed.”
Shell shock
Signature losses for previous Maryland coaches:
» 1997, Ohio U., 21-14
Ron Vandelinden’s debut foreshadowed a dreadful tenure (15-29).
» 1994, at Duke, 49-16
Fred Goldsmith kicked off his Duke reign and signaled the beginning of the end for Mark Duffner (20-35).
» 1991, Duke, 23-20
The first of five straight losses that closed the book on Joe Krivak (20-34-2).
» 1986, Wake Forest, 27-21
This hardly qualifies, but was worst loss for Bobby Ross (39-19-1), coming in his final (and only non-winning) season.
» 1981, at Tulane, 14-7
Came near the end of the final year for Jerry Claiborne (77-37-3), his only losing season in 10.
» 1971, Villanova, 13-28
Falling to a I-AA at home for the second straight year was the last straw for Roy Lester (7-25).
