Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen knew exactly where to place the blame after his team suffered a 31-0 loss to Virginia: himself.
“It’s on me,” he told reporters before leaving Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. “I’m the head coach. Everything was under me. We weren’t prepared to play a good Virginia team and anytime that happens, you can put the blame on me.”
And there is plenty of blame for Friedgen, whose team suffered a devastating loss — one that may cost it a chance to win the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division and relegate it to a mediocre bowl game.
The Terrapins (4-2 overall, 1-1 ACC) were shutout for the first time since a 16-0 loss to Virginia in 2004 and were dealt their third-most lopsided defeat since Friedgen took over in 2001. Virginia (2-3, 1-1) scored four touchdowns against the Terrapins in fewer than 40 minutes, matching its total for the first four games combined.
The Terrapins entered the game on a three-game winning streak, which included victories over ranked teams Cal and Clemson, but Maryland’s two losses are against Middle Tennessee State and Virginia — teams that are 2-6 against opponents other than the Terrapins.
“It was about who came to play and who didn’t,” Friedgen said. “That’s what it was about. You could have the greatest plays in the world and if you’re not going to execute them and the other team is playing a different speed than you are, then it’s not going to work.”
The Terrapins’ two best players — running back Da’Rel Scott (36 yards rushing) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (zero catches) — were rendered useless by the Cavaliers.
“We had some detailed plans in mind to deal with them,” Virginia coach Al Groh told reporters. “The bottom line is our players focused on what we had to do in regards to those two players and got it done.”
The Terrapins don’t play again until Oct. 18, when they host No. 21 Wake Forest at Byrd Stadium in a game Maryland must win if it’s to remain in contention for a berth in the ACC Championship Game.
“I don’t feel like this team quit at any time. I just don’t think we played well,” Friedgen said. “There’s a difference there.”
