The Starting Five

Nate Sowers was one of the best high school football players I have seen play in this area. I remember my former colleague Dan Spears coming back from a Martinsburg game in 2001 and saying this freshman named Sowers is going to be really good.

That was an understatement. Sowers was outstanding, both as a quarterback and a defensive back. Teaming him with wide receiver Brandon Barrett – another of the best ever from this area – for Barrett’s final two seasons led to a near total rewrite of the Martinsburg record book.

Even with out Barrett, Sowers led Martinsburg all the way to the state championship game. The Bulldogs are still seeking that first state crown, but much like Dan Marino in the NFL, the lack of a title should not minimize everything that Sowers accomplished in high school.

Sowers, now in his fifth and final year at West Virginia University, is at long last getting his chance to start on the college level.

Sowers went to WVU as a quarterback, but the door closed on that opportunity when Pat White became Pat White. He had an opportunity to switch to defense in his freshman year, but he held out hope that he would get a chance to run the offense. (continue reading…)

… the college football season will begin.

The ACC released its 2009 schedules on Thursday. Here is Maryland’s.

Only one idle week for the Terps (Oct. 31) and no Thursday nights this year.

The Maryland football team and I have one thing in common.
We are both back after an off week.
As for me, some updates of our website, some scheduling conflicts and some general laziness on my part has prevented me from posting over the last few weeks.
As for the Terps, they return after being humiliated by Florida State last week in a game that stood for everything they played for all season – an ACC Atlantic Division title and a berth in the ACC championship game.
The Terps lost badly and now are playing for cosmetic purpose. That’s called “the best possible bowl destination possible.”
So with that being said, here is what the Terps have in front of them as they play Boston College on the road in the final regular season game.
Here are some things to watch for.
1. Line dancing – The key to this game may be on the lines of scrimmage. The Terps have had problems on both fronts in their last two losses. Against Virginia Tech, the defensive front got pushed around, especially up the middle, for nearly 300 yards of rushing. Against Florida State, the offensive line couldn’t handle the Semioles’ quickness; especially by the defensive backs that were rushing off the edges to blitz quarterback Chris Turner. They systematically rendered the Terps ineffective. This week could possibly be more like the Virginia Tech game than the Florida State game, even though Boston College has a formidable defense.
2. Is two out of three good enough? — Maryland usually wins when they play at home, against Top 25 teams and in day games. The Terps (4-0 vs. Top 25) face ranked Boston College in a 3:30 p.m. game on the road.
3. If we only have a heart — Does all this really matter for the Terps? They didn’t win the conference title berth and, at best, can tie for the division title. That would mean a high-profiled bowl game. A loss puts the Terps back in the pack. Is Orlando over Tennessee for a holiday trip a big enough motivator to win this game?
4. Running — Maryland has been boasting the top running game in the ACC for much of the season. Da’Rel Scott has been good when healthy, but has been controlled when he isn’t. He still has a bad shoulder. Meanwhile, Boston College has a group of running backs that are able to hide behind a monster line when they run. Time of possession might become a huge difference.
It’s great to be back … wonder if Maryland can say the same thing.

Forget the odds, Maryland will take this win.The Terps were a 12 ½-point favorite to down North Carolina State on Saturday. The weather and a well-conceived Wolfpack offense – along with the elusiveness of quarterback Russell Wilson – sent the spread down the tube.Like they say, if you took Maryland giving 12 ½, you lost. The Terps pulled out a 27-24 win in the final seconds on a 20-yard field goal by Obi Egekeze. A huge kick, considering the kicker started the season missing his first five tries and was in danger of losing his job.But the betting loss was a big gain for the Terps, who are now 6-2, bowl eligible, in a tie for the division lead and are in line for a spot in the Top 25.Maryland showed some maturity on Saturday. It attacked a situation it had yet to face – driving for a win in a tied game – in the worst of conditions – a driving rain that lasted most of the game and turned the football into a skipping stone – to pull out what could become its signature win of the season.Here’s how they fared in the four points brought up as keys to the game.

1. Alright. Let’s say it. Can Maryland stay motivated against an unranked team — Well, sort of. North Carolina State didn’t play like a 2-6 team that was winless in the Atlantic Coast Conference, though. So it didn’t hurt the Terps to play at the Wolfpack’s level. If you go by time of possession (36:00 to 24:00), North Carolina State dominated the game and scored on many time-consuming drives that wore down Maryland’s defense Yet, the Terps’ offense moved the ball just as readily to stay in the game and ultimately win it.
2. Dialing up Darrius — It wasn’t like Maryland didn’t try to get the ball to receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, but the rainy weather got in the way. Heyward-Bey followed up last week’s 11-catch game against Wake Forest with just two catches for 19 yards and two reverse running plays. He wasn’t a key, but he wasn’t needed because Maryland’s running game kicked in.
3. Weathermen? – Both teams did well in the rain, but Maryland was a little better. Each team had one turnover, but the Terps seemed to handle the ball better. North Carolina State still relied on its passing game and the speed of Wilson to create situations. It worked for the most part. The Terps went back to a more basic attack, running the ball 36 of their 56 plays, this coming a week after throwing more than 40 times last week against Wake Forest. Da’Rel Scott became a major part of the game again, rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown before injuring his shoulder and freshman Davin Meggett picked up some crucial yards at the end of the game – including a 31-yard screen pass to set up the winning kick – and scored a touchdown. Maryland got 203 of its 329 total yards on the ground. That’s handling the rain.
4. Primary in the secondary – Maryland’s secondary was never really tested. The Terps were thin in the defensive backfield because of injuries, but North Carolina State never tried to challenge it. Maryland’s linebackers gave a bit of a cushion, challenging the run but dropping back to help with passes. The Wolfpack ran much of their offense underneath. It was good, good enough to beat the odds, but not the Terps.

The defense finally showed up at the Maryland-North Carolina State game.Both teams had been moving the ball at will at the start of the second half.Maryland score quickly but N.C. State continued to grind out time-consuming drives.The game was 24-24 after three quarters. N.C. State are starting to make mistakes to help the Terps keep the ball though.

Rainy weather usually has a strange hold on football games.Offenses usually lose efficiency with the wet conditions the running game takes over.Those were the old days.Now teams come out passing no matter the conditions. The advent of artificial and prescription turfs help keep the old Mud Bowl games to a minimum.That’s pretty much the story at the half of the North Carolina State-Maryland game.Both teams are unfazed by driving ran and have run up and down the field while the defenses have had trouble staying up with the wide-open play..The Terps got the upper hand in the second quarter by scoring on a 47-yard Obi Egekeze field goal to take the lead and followed up by forcing a fumble that resulted in a Davin Meggett 1-yard touchdown run for a 17-14 lead.But N.C. State continued to dominate the first half – running 46 plays to Maryland’s 20 – and control the game from a time of possession standpoint (22:11 to 7:49) with a strong mix of short passing and the scrambling ability of quarterback Russell Davis. The Wolfpack scored on a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the half to forge a 17-17 tie.This game is far from over. The deciding factors will still be determined by the rain, which will dictate offensive play calling, turnovers and field position. The turnovers and field position will be the top two factors. Also, watch how Maryland handles N.C. State’s speed at receiver late in the game. Remember Cal’s attempted comeback.

The University of Maryland looks mesmerized.The Terps defense is falling for the old “now you see it, now you don’t” trick of North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson.Wilson looked like a magician with his sleight of hand and has caught Maryland following it hook, line and sinker.Wilson’s handoff fakes bought him extra time in the pocket and has allowed him to roam and elude Maryland’s defensive rush. It has made the Wolfpack offense tough to stop and Wilson even harder to catch and bring down. He has bought the offense extra time put some teeth in N.C. State’s running game.Maryland has been just as effective in a less spectacular way as Darrius Heyward-Bey and Da’Rel Scott have starred thus far.The Wolfpack opened with a 7:48 drive, culminated with a 1-yard TD dive by Andre Brown and Maryland answered 3:53 later on a 13-yard TD pass by Chris Turner to Dan Gronkowski.The game is tied at 7-7 after one quarter.North Carolina State leads 14-10 with 11:28 to go in the half and has just turned the ball over on a fumble to Maryland.

The University of Maryland football team has at least one group convinced it will be playing well on Saturday.Las Vegas oddsmakers have made the Terrapins a 12 ½ favorite for today’s game with North Carolina State.Those Vegas guys cover all the angles when it comes to figuring out those numbers. Its uncanny how often those number guys are right on the money when it comes to the spread.What do they know? Sure, N.C. State is winless in the ACC, has a 2-5 record and has had consistency problems.None of that seems to matter to the Terps. The biggest obstacle is the Wolfpack isn’t nationally rated. That usually means Maryland will struggle.But the Terps are claiming they have become a different team after losing 31-0 to Virginia three weeks ago. They looked like they may have figured it out last week by shutting out Wake Forest, which was ranked 21st heading into the game.Now the time has come to prove it, though.There are a few points to watch that could determine the outcome of this one, which would make Maryland eligible to play in a bowl game while keeping it atop the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division standings.Things to consider:

1. Alright. Let’s say it. Can Maryland stay motivated against an unranked team — The Terps are 0-2 in games that count between nationally ranked teams. N.C. State fits that bill.
2. Dialing up Darrius — Maryland ran 18 plays with Darrius Heyward-Bey’s number attached last week, leading to 11 receptions and 101 yards. Finding him added a missing dimension to Maryland’s offense and gave Wake Forest something they didn’t really expect since the Terps weren’t using Heyward-Bey to that capacity. Maryland needs to keep the speedy receiver involved. He is the biggest play-maker they own.
3. Weathermen? – Which team will handle the rainy conditions the best? This will be a test because Maryland has suddenly become a short-passing team after quarterback Chris Turner launched more than 40 passes against Wake Forest. Coach Ralph Friedgen said Maryland will try to remain balanced, but won’t be actually trying to be 50-50 in play-calling. Huh? N.C, State is a speed team that features speedy wide receivers, an aspect that had given the Terps problems in the past. The Terps have Da’Rel Scott, who has been one of the conference’s top rushers this season, but he has been injured and hasn’t been a major factor in the last three game plans.
4. Primary in the secondary – Maryland has become ultra thin at defensive back. Kevin Barnes, the Terps’ most experienced defender, has been lost for the season with a shoulder injury. That will put the brunt of the defense on unproven players, like Nolan Carroll, to step forward and take responsibility. If North Carolina State can handle the pressure applied by the Terps’ line and linebackers, this matchup could become an interesting part of the game, but the rainy weather could help minimize what could be big problem for Maryland.

The rain is something that teams rarely practice in or practice for during a season any more. It adds a whole different dimension to this game, which might put the oddsmakers at odds.

Another Top 25 opponent and another shocking win for Maryland.

This comes from a team that has had problems against the Middle Tennessees and Virginias of the world. Now, the Terps are the only team in the nation to knock off three ranked opponents this season.

Go figure. But coach Ralph Friedgen has a way figured out to keep the Terps playing on the same level all season.

“Is there any way you guys (the media) can vote (1-5 North Carolina State) into the Top 25,” he joked on Saturday after Maryland pulled off a workmanlike 26-0 victory over No. 21 Wake Forest. It was the first time Maryland had shutout a ranked opponent since 1955 when the No. 5 Terps knocked off top-ranked UCLA, 7-0.

Maryland re-established itself as a player in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division race. The victory wasn’t overwhelming, but it was convincing for the fact that the Terps allowed Wake only one play of 20 yards for the game.

Maryland fared fairly well on the game checklist, too.

1.       See seniors – Which team’s vast number of senior starters took control of the game. On the surface, Maryland’s, but overall, it was a game for the Terps’ nonseniors. Junior receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey caught 11 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Chris Turner had 321 yards passing and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Da’Rel Scott threw a halfback pass for a score. Sophomore offensive tackle Bruce Campbell was placed on the line to help stabilize the protection. The rest of the offensive line (mostly seniors), receiver Danny Oquendo (50-yard touchdown catch) and Maryland’s defense, did their part in the win though.

2.       Get it right – which team made the fewest mistakes. If you go by turnovers, Maryland lost. Scott fumbled the ball away twice, but the defense prevented Wake from scoring as the Demon Deacons could only muster a pair of missed field goals. On Wake’s side, the Deacons – who were known for their consistent play – dropped way too many passes and put the offense in a standstill while the defense couldn’t find an answer for the efficient style of Maryland’s offense.

3.       Where’s Darrius – Maryland got Heyward-Bey back in the offense in a big way (see above) and his play changed the course of the game and the course of Wake Forest’s defense. He made Wake pay attention to him the whole game.

4.       Get a running start – The Terps never really got the running game going, but really didn’t need it for more than to keep Wake Forest honest. Scott – the ACC’s leading rusher – only managed 73 yards and fumbled the ball away twice. Maryland’s defense prevented Wake from scoring and Scott threw the pass to Heyward-Bey for the Terps’ first score. Scott has been playing injured for the last two weeks, though.

5.       Defensive posturing – Maryland controlled Wake Forest’s offense and controlled the game to pitch the shutout. The Terps took the Deacons out of their running game by applying pressure from the edges on quarterback Riley Skinner. He scrambled to become Wake’s only rushing threat and was never a threat to break away for long gains.

That’s a 4 ¾ out of five for the Terps. And a big win that swivels Maryland’s fortunes back in a positive direction again at 5-2 and 2-1 in the ACC.

You never know what they will do next.

It has been kind of an odd, but usual, outing for the University of Maryland football team.

Usual, if you consider the Terps were leading No. 21 Wake Forest 19-0 after three quarters. Maryland is laying the groundwork for its third victory over a Top 25 opponent this season and their fifth straight overall. 

That seems to be normal. Maryland comes up big against a big opponents after playing meekly against weaker teams.

But Maryland was doing it with its new style. The Terps got the West Coast offense rolling with the short passes to move the first down markers while keeping Wake Forest on its heels. Maryland chewed up time and recorded two field goals in the third quarter, but Wake couldn’t find any way to prevent the slow, but steady marches.

Maryland’s defense did a decent job with its coverage, which forced quarterback Riley Skinner to scramble and run much more than the Demon Deacons would like. Skinner isn’t a threat to break the big play with his feet, which the Terps decided they could live with.

Wake prevented its own progress with a number of dropped passes, which is partially a product of Maryland’s rush.

At this rate, the Terrapins will officially be back in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division chase.