Maryland bowl-eligible after blowout of Wake
This week, when coach Ralph Friedgen called Maryland “a good 5-2 team,” on a radio interview, he was ridiculed.
But Saturday at Byrd Stadium, his players backed up his claim, dominating every phase of 62-14 a victory over Wake Forest before 39,063.
The Terps blocked two punts, returned two interceptions for scores, got four touchdowns passes from freshman quarterback Danny O’Brien, and became bowl-eligible in emphatic fashion, tying the program record for most points in an Atlantic Coast Conference game, set 35 years ago against Virginia.
It was only Wake Forest (2-6, 1-4), a team Maryland has beaten more than any other (42 times). But there was no quibbling with the Terps’ powerful performance. They out-gained the Deacons 446-155, out-rushed them 261-(-3), and accumulated five sacks.
“We played a complete game tonight,” said Friedgen. “I asked my kids last night to make a statement. I think they did.”
Maryland (6-2, 3-1) now turns its attention to the three-way race in the ACC Atlantic, where it will battle Florida State (6-2, 4-1) and North Carolina State (6-2, 3-1) for a berth in the conference championship game. The Terps will play host to the Seminoles and Wolfpack respectively in the final two weeks of the season.
The impetus for Saturday’s win came from the two punt blocks. Wake Forest used three of its beefiest offensive linemen to protect punter Shane Popham in a formation called “the three bears.” But in the first 20 minutes, Maryland went over and around the 945-pound security force.
“We always pressure, especially on shield punts,” said Maryland special teams coach Charles Bankins. “We’re looking for separation of the bears.”
The first block came on the fourth snap of the game, senior wideout LaQuan Williams racing from the left flank to get a hand on Popham’s punt. It was the 160th punt of Popham’s career and the first one that was blocked. Eleven plays later, senior Travis Baltz kicked a 22-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
“That was a really athletic play,” said Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe of the punt block. “He busted through our line and made a great play. Our line was a little out of place, and that didn’t help. But that was definitely a momentum shifter.”
In the second quarter, junior linebacker Nick Peterson came straight up the middle and vaulted Wake tackle Dennis Godfrey (6-3, 335) to bat down another punt, giving the Terps possession at the Demon Deacons’ 12.
Two plays later, freshman Danny O’Brien rolled out and hit junior fullback Haroon Brown on a 3-yard touchdown play. It was the first touchdown in Brown’s career and his first reception since 2008 before red-shirting last season.
Maryland put away Wake quickly after intermission, scoring three touchdowns in the first 5 minutes, 45 seconds of the second half.
Tate’s score came first as he picked off an ill-advised pass in the flat by Wake freshman Tanner Price and jogged 8 yards for a touchdown to give Maryland a 34-7 lead.
When Maryland got the ball back, O’Brien shook out of the grasp of a defender, scrambled up into the pocket and fired a 35-yard pass to junior wideout Torrey Smith (5 receptions, 66 yards, touchdown), which set up a 24-yard scoring strike over the middle to Williams.
Four plays later, Maryland was celebrating again, as backup Donohue picked off a pass by Wake freshman backup quarterback Skylar Jones in front of the Deacons’ bench and ran 25 yards up the sideline for a 48-7 lead.
The Maryland defense was stingy throughout, limiting Wake to nine first downs. Freshman back Josh Harris, coming off a 241-yard rushing performance at Virginia Tech, had just 34 yards on 10 carries.
“When a guy comes out of nowhere like that and you get some game film on him, it’s a little easier to defend,” said Maryland defensive coordinator Don Brown. “All of his yards against Tech were on the perimeter. We did a good job taking that away.”
Leading the charge for the Maryland defense were sophomore nose tackle A.J. Francis (Gonzaga), who had 1.5 sacks and another tackle for a loss, and safeties Tate (7 tackles, sack), and Antwine Perez (sack, forced fumble).
On offense, O’Brien (13 of 20, 168 yards) was efficient in his fifth career start. He didn’t give up a sack or throw an interception. Afterward, O’Brien was asked how much more comfortable he is getting as the Terps starter.
“Exponentially every week,” said O’Brien. “I’m really confident because I’ve got playmakers all around me.”
O’Brien’s touchdown passes went to four different receivers. He was also aided by a running game that produced 261 yards on 54 rushes. Junior Davin Meggett (16 carries, 94 yards) and freshman D.J. Adams (16 carries, 84 yards) scored a touchdown each, while senior Da’Rel Scott (11 carries, 50 yards) became the 10th Terps’ back to accumulate 2,000 rushing yards in his career.
The success on the ground was a reminder of how far the Terps’ offensive line has progressed from its disastrous showing in 2009, when Maryland went 2-10.
“Just thinking where we were last year, to me it’s a lesson in perseverance,” said Friedgen. “Now we’re bowl eligible and these next four weeks will probably be the most important four weeks of our players’ lives.”
