Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen’s voice is softening. Injuries continue mounting, Internet chat boards are flaming and the season is teetering.
The Terrapins greatly mirror the Washington Redskins’ woes. Each has blown two games by permitting late comebacks. Both have lost two offensive linemen. Neither is much above .500 and staring at the schedule’s toughest stretch.
Maryland (4-3) is limping into the stretch against Clemson (5-2) on Saturday at Byrd Stadium. A makeshift offensive line minus injured guards Andrew Crummey and Jamie Thomas leaves the Terps with only five healthy linemen. With two narrow losses offsetting a victory over No. 10 Rutgers, Maryland needs a victory to re-inspire its fans and perhaps its own lockerroom.
“I guess I’m not living a good life or something,” Friedgen said. “I ask why [do they have injuries]? I really don’t even want to bring it up anymore. It’s a matter of what we have to deal with. You can’t be dwelling on that.”
Maybe not purposely, but injuries have been too widespread to ignore. Linebacker Erin Henderson is still bothered by a knee problem not to mention a face shield shattered into his mouth against Virginia on Oct. 20 that literally knocked a tooth into the mouthpiece. Henderson continued to play while two other Terps suffered serious injuries against the Cavaliers.
The short-handed lineup now has freshmen and walkons for backups with some first-year players possibly burning their redshirt midway through the season. Friedgen balances practice time between teaching new starters their roles at different positions and giving young players reps, too.
“You’re playing kids that haven’t played,” Friedgen said. “All you can do is a wait and see how they’ll perform in that environment. I can’t change that.”
The line’s uncertainty even impacts when injured quarterback Jordan Steffy returns. The season-opening starter hasn’t been medically cleared since suffering a concussion against Rutgers on Sept. 29. The line’s protection is suspect, which Friedgen fears could leave Steffy at further risk.
“It’s a factor,” Friedgen said. “That’s why I want to make sure he’s totally sound because we could be right back in the situation we were. I want to make sure he’ll be OK, but how do you guarantee that?
After Clemson, Maryland plays three of its final four games at North Carolina, Florida State and N.C. State. The only home game is No. 2 Boston College. The influx of new players will probably decide if the Terps can finish at least 2-3 for a postseason bid.
“You have to step up and be a man real fast,” running back Keon Lattimore said. “That’s why you come to college — to grow up and play at a level like that. … It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
