The game has little meaning even though it’s the final one of a successful regular season. The stadium probably will be half-empty.
When Maryland (7-4) ends an unexpected bowl-bound season against N.C. State (8-3) on Saturday, all that is at stake is a chance to eliminate the Wolfpack from the ACC title game and to earn a better postseason position for itself. Either way, the Terrapins made a major leap from last year’s disastrous 2-10 mark, saved coach Ralph Friedgen’s job and found a young quarterback who could be the second coming of Boomer Esiason.
Not a bad autumn, even if the Terps were 2-4 against winning teams. Maryland beat Navy in the opener long before the Midshipmen (8-3) truly found their rhythm. The Terps survived against Boston College (6-5) — their only ACC victory over a winning team.
It was mainly a gutsy season of scratching out wins behind a defense holding on at the goal line. Maryland managed two 62-point outings against overmatched teams, but the Terps were no offensive machine.
Most telling were tough recent losses to Miami and Florida State. In recent years, Maryland would have been outclassed. This time, the Terps simply were a little short.
Maryland reclaimed its dignity but not its swagger.
Mostly, the Terps set themselves up for a better 2012. With a bowl on the resume and 16 players leaving, the Terps can expect to contend next season. That should be enough for new athletic director Kevin Anderson to fill more seats at Byrd Stadium. Announced attendance has been inflated for two seasons. The facility has been virtually empty most games. With students away for the holiday weekend and no title at stake, this finale figures to be another echo chamber of missing souls.
Friedgen’s fine job this season earns him the right to coach the final year of his contract. Still, it likely will take another bowl bid for Friedgen to remain in 2012. Friedgen’s 11th season will make him second-longest tenured coach at Maryland only to Curley Byrd, whose other role as school president gave him job security and stadium naming rights. It has been a fine run for the former Maryland lineman even if Friedgen’s success was front-loaded with 31 wins over his first three seasons.
Maryland still needs to recruit better. It’s been an issue since recruiting coordinator Mike Locksley left in 2003. The Terps must retain in-state talent poached by border rivals Penn State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. That likely won’t happen until a new leader arrives.
Beating N.C. State and winning a bowl game certainly would help excite 2011 recruits and provide further hope of a turnaround in College Park.
“To me, it’s a feel-good story if we end up 8-4 with a possibility of winning nine games,” Friedgen said. “Coming from 2-10, that’s a pretty big accomplishment for our team.”
Indeed, the Terps have already done enough to realize the poor seasons are in the past, not the future.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
