FSU beats MD, Terps lose chance of playing for the ACC Atlantic

Before a National TV audience, and a ‘blacked-out’ Byrd Stadium crowd; the University of Maryland Terrapins were obviously excited to play the Florida State Seminoles.  With a win, the Terps would have hosted North Carolina State next Saturday with the chance to win the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division Championship.

Alas it was not to be for the Terps.  Down 20-16 to FSU in the 4th Quarter, Maryland’s Danny O’Brien was intercepted. Video reviews showed the pass hit the ground, but the play was not overturned. FSU was forced to punt, but in remarkable bad luck for the Terps; the punt hit MD’s Cameron Chism in the back and the Seminoles recovered. Florida State would put 3 more points on the board, forcing MD to need a TD to tie.

O’Brien would march the Terps into the FSU red-zone, and face a 4th and 7 at the FSU 18 with under a minute on the clock. O’Brien was intercepted cleanly this time for a 93 yard Pick 6 that effectively ended the game.

From a Maryland perspective though, the biggest issues in this game was their turnovers (4) and how they had to settle for FG’s instead of punching in TD’s multiple times.

Below are some thoughts I had in-game:

First Quarter takeaways:

1) Nice tackle in the first series of the game from CB Cameron Chism on a screen.

2) Maryland’s initial drive started with the TE Furstenburg being called for a penalty. Despite that, O’Brien and the Terps offense worked quickly and moved the chains for several first downs. O’Brien picked-up from where he left off last week, converting several 3rd downs leading to Baltz’s FG.  3-0 Terps.

3) Immediately following the Terp’s FG, the Maryland defense allowed a 70 yard rushing TD to FSU’s  Chris Thompson. Nothing more disappointing than putting points on the board, and your defense allowing the opposition to get those points right back.  7-3 FSU.

4) Meggett hit the hole hard on his first carry, running straight ahead.

5) The O’Brien fumble on the option was not his fault. Absolutely no blocking up-front, and FSU was handed excellent field position.

6) After FSU took over after the fumble, Maryland forced the Seminoles into a 3rd down situation. The play was clearly over with Ponder running out of bounds, but Antwine Perez extended the Seminoles drive with his penalty hitting Ponder out of play.

7) Kenny Tate showed why he will be playing on Sunday’s, as he made a monster tackle in open space to force 3rd and 15. Maryland’s defense stood-up and held FSU to a FG. 10-3 FSU.

8) Maryland avoided disaster as the pick returned for a TD on O’Brien was waived-off due to the punishing helmet-to-helmet hit Scott received. Instead of being down two TD’s, the Terps were able to continue the drive.

9) Several plays after getting his bell rung, Scott ran for 15 yards and a 1st down.

10) Cannon made a nice block on Smith’s 32 yard flanker-screen.

11) Adams did not pick up 3rd and 1, and the Maryland coaches decided to go for it on 4th down. Trick play did just enough to pick up the 1st. Quarter ends with FSU up 10-3.

Second Quarter Takeaways:

1) Maryland’s first play of the 2nd Quarter started at the FSU 5 yard line, a botched play cost the Terps 5 yards. O’Brien did well to just lay on the ball and not lose possession.

2) O-lineman Justin Lewis left with an injury, and did not look like he could put any weight on his leg. He was eventually carted-off the field and taken back to the locker-room.

3) Yeatman made up for a drop in the 1st Quarter, with a TD grab on 3rd down. MD ties the game at 10-10. Quite a swing from what could have happened if the FSU interception and return for TD had stood.

4) Again Maryland scores, and has trouble building momentum. Ferrara’s kickoff goes out of bounds for the penalty and good field position for FSU.

5) Terps are trying to bring some additional pass-rushers, but still having trouble getting to Ponder. On 3rd and 11 at the Maryland 17 yard-line, Isiah Ross was finally able to get to Ponder. This set-up another FSU field-goal attempt, this time going wide-right. FSU is now 0 for 4 on 3rd down.

6) Kenny Tate with his 3rd pick of the year, this was partly Tate, but mostly Ponder throwing into triple-coverage. Maryland started their offensive series at the FSU 40.

7) Meggett is having a good game. Several first-down runs, and a huge block.

8) Scott picked up another 15 yards, as the Maryland offense is eating up yards on the ground.

9) FSU’s Christian Jones sacked on O’Brien, as the Terps were not ready for the additional Seminole pass-rushers.

10) FG for Baltz gives the Terps the 13-10 lead.

11) ABC reports that Maryland has also lost Bennett Fulper to injury, and correctly points out how impressive it is that the Terps have been able to run their offense despite the Fulper, and Lewis injuries.

12) With 1:15 left in the half, FSU was not able to pick-up 3rd and 6. On 4th down, the Seminoles ran a fake and picked-up 33 yards. Maryland was completely out of position to defend.

13) Tate blew-up FSU’s WR Easterling, with a clean hit to the chest preventing a TD.

14) FSU’s Hopkins hit the upright, but it bounces through for 3. All tied at 13.

15) Scott hits a hole and gives MD a 1st down at their 45. The Terps elect not to use one of their two timeouts. Game goes to half-time even.

Third Quarter Takeaways:

1) Maryland’s second-half starts with Tyler picking-up 30 yards on 3rd and 6.

2) Cannon dropped a pass on 3rd and 18 that cost the Terps a chance to go for a FG on 4th down.

3) Justin Anderson with a sack.

4) FSU’s Thompson fumbled, giving MD possession at their own 47.

5) Pete White with a nice pull, opening up yards for Meggett.

6) Another FG for Baltz, and Maryland again grabs the lead. 16-13 Terps.

7) Chism with another strong tackle in open-space.

8) FSU picks-up the blitz, and Bert Reed goes 44 yards for the TD. FSU takes the lead 20-16.

9) The ankle injury to Smith has really limited him in the return game.

10) MD punts, with FSU taking over at their 16 yard-line. This will obviously be an important defensive series for the Terps.

Fourth Quarter Takeaways:

1) Terps being gashed for chunks of yards. The larger FSU Offensive-line might be wearing the Terps D-line out.

2) On cue, LB Demetrius Hartsfield comes on blitz takes Ponder down. Alex Wujciak follows that up with a crushing tackle.

3) FSU misses a FG from 52 yards out, allowing Maryland to take over with 9:40 left in regulation.

4) O’Brien has to roll-out, and after throwing across his body appears to be picked off on 3rd down.  The video replay absolutely showed the ball hit the ground and bounce. Still the play was ruled an interception. Instead of MD punting, FSU gets to start in Maryland territory. A travesty of a call.

5) 3rd and 3 for FSU and Tate again comes up huge with a tackle preventing the FSU 1st down. Drew Gloster got pressure on the play as well.

6) FSU intentionally short punts on 4th down, and hits Chism in the middle of the back. FSU recovers and starts within the Maryland red-zone. Really not Chism’s fault, just horrible luck.

7) Maryland’s defense again prevents the Seminoles from punching in the TD, but Hopkins kicks the FG to give FSU the 23-16 lead.  MD will get the ball back with 4:30 left on the clock and needing a TD to tie.

8) The Terps run on back to back downs and pick up the 1st.

9) Yet another flanker screen to Cannon. Shows O’Brien’s arm-strength. Also yet another example of how MD has the athletes to play a speed game with FSU.

10) Terps facing 3rd and three at the FSU 45. 1st down picked-up, as O’Brien quickly delivers to Cannon.

11) On 3rd and 7 , Maryland picks up about 6 yards and calls timeout. Sets up 4th and 1 with 1:25 on the clock.

12) O’Brien runs out of the gun, and picks it up himself with the reach.

13) Facing 2nd and 7 at the FSU 18 yard-line, and Maryland uses their 2nd timeout with 1:03 on the clock.

14) 4th and 7 for Maryland with the game, and a chance at the division on the line. O’Brien intercepted for a 93 yard FSU TD return effectively ends the game. 30-16 FSU. I think the interception was set-up by the play calling on 2nd, and 3rd down.

Up-Next:

Losing at-home in front of sell-out crowd and on National TV with so much to gain by a victory is tough to deal with.

Coach Friedgen will have to remind his team they still have something to play for. After winning just 2 games in the 2009 season, the Terps can finish their regular season at 8-4 overall, and 5-3 in the ACC with a win over NCST.  A win over the Wolfpack would also give MD a second-place finish in the Atlantic.