Forced to play converted Freshman LB Shawn Petty at QB, the Terrapins offense could do little in today’s 33-13 loss to Georgia Tech. With the MD offense unable to threaten the Yellow Jackets defense, the Maryland defense was constantly placed in difficult positions.

The Terrapins can expect similar difficult results the following two weeks at Clemson, and home vs. Florida State. I would give Maryland a slight chance to compete at North Carolina in the season final. All that really remains for the Terps this season, is gaining as much experience as possible for the players who will be part of this program next year.

The Good:

1) After allowing one first down, Maryland forced a punt on Georgia Tech’s first offensive series, getting the Yellow Jackets into a 3rd and long situation. Cole Farrand, and AJ Francis both had good plays on the series.

2) After punting following their first series, Maryland allowed a sizeable return, but Dorsey was able to force the fumble from Golden, and Davis recovered at the Terps 45.

3) Georgia Tech scored on their 2nd series, moving down the field with their option attack. The only real positive of the drive, was that GT missed the extra point. That said, Anthony Nixon and Farrand came up with a good stop on 1st and 10 from the MD 42, with both players holding their assignments. Drakeford and McDougle also had good plays during the drive.

4) Maryland’s first positive offensive play came on their 3rd drive, with Petty picking up 7 yards on a QB keeper.

5) After what should have been Maryland’s 5th 3 and out of the game. GT was charged with roughing the kicker on the punt. This gave the Terps their first 1st down. The offense would pick up their first true 1st down on a 5 yard rush from Brown. Petty would complete his first pass, roughly a yard to Diggs on the series.

6) Maryland’s defense came up with a 4th and 3 stop on GT’s 2nd series of the 2nd Quarter.

7) The Terps last series of the 1st half started on their own 26. Brown picked up a couple of 4 yard gains, and then a 1st down with a 6 yard run on 3rd and 2. Another Brown run, this time for 8 yards, took the ball to about midfield. Petty had a pass attempt to Furstenburg down the field which could have been caught. Petty ran for 8 yards on 3rd and 2, moving the ball into GT territory.

8) Maryland had a nice drive to begin the 2nd half. Starting at their 39, Ross gained 11 yards on 1st down. After Ross lost a yard at the 50, Petty had 3 straight carries for 14 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the GT 39, Petty connected with Dorsey for 14 yards.  They did not score, but the 7 minute drive was productive.

9) The Terps defense forced a 3 and out on GT, on the Yellow Jackets 1st series of the 2nd half.

10) Down 27-0, Maryland began their 3rd drive of the 2nd half from their 43. Ross carried the ball 5 straight plays, taking the Terps to the GT 16. On 2nd and 7, Petty found Diggs over the middle for 16 yards and the TD. Diggs fought hard for the last couple yards after contact. With the extra point, the Terps pulled back within 20 at 27-7.

11) Kilgo had a 4th Quarter sack. Having Francis and Vellano opposite of him has obviously helped, but Kilgo has had a very solid year.

12) On 3rd and 7, Jeremiah Johnson made a good open field tackle.

13) Maryland’s first drive of the 4th Quarter began with an 11 yard run from Ross. Petty followed with a 7 yard gain on the ground of his own. After being sacked for an 8 yard loss, Petty connected with Jacobs for 10 yards. On 4th and 1, Petty gained the 1st on the ground. On play action and a roll-out, Petty hit Pickett for 28 yards. Coming off a reverse, Diggs gained 10 yards, giving the Terps a 1st and 10 from the GT 12.

14) Jefferson forced and recovered a fumble from GT late in the 4th.

15) On Maryland’s last drive, Diggs caught a pass for 14 yards, and Petty rushed for 9 more. On the last play of the game, Petty found Diggs in the end zone from 31 yards out. Great play from Diggs getting the ball at the highest point. Credit Petty for battling all game, in a very tough situation.

The Bad:

1) Petty faked a pass on 1st down during the Terps initial series, and was sacked for a 4 yard loss. Maryland was immediately in the hole on the possession.

2) Starting Maryland’s 2nd series, Dorsey did not help Petty, as he dropped a quick slant. Not a beautiful pass, but it was a play that should have been made. Maryland would quickly go 3 and out.

3) Maryland had lots of trouble with the Georgia Tech option offense on the Yellow Jackets 2nd series. GT would have a 69 yard scoring drive, moving from their 31 to the MD end zone. One of the biggest plays on the drive was GT picking up 4th and 3 from the MD 35, with Smith ripping off a 17 yard gain.

4) The Terps defense was not able to cover for Petty’s 1st Quarter fumble, and GT would need just 1:43 to move the 33 yards for their 2nd score. With the extra point, the Yellow Jackets took a 13-0 lead.

5) Maryland’s first series of the 2nd Quarter had them attempting to direct snap to Brown, and Diggs. After moving the ball some on the first two downs, the Terps faced 3rd and 1. With Petty back under center, MD Reid was stopped for a 1 yard loss. For the 4th straight series, MD went 3 and out.

6) It was dropped, but GT’s Greene was several yards behind the defense on the Yellow Jackets first play of their first full series of the 2nd Quarter. It would not matter, as GT rushed the ball the next 6 plays for 49 yards and the score. With the extra point, the Yellow Jackets went up 20-0 with just under 9 minutes left in the first half.

7) Diggs picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty, backing Maryland into a 3rd and 25 situation.

8) Furstenburg dropped a pass on MD’s last series of the 1st half. Not an easy catch, but could have been made. Petty was sacked on 1st and 10 from the GT 44, eliminating any chance of advancing forward enough for a possible FG attempt.

9) Maryland had the long drive to start the 2nd half, ultimately resulting in 4th and 3 from the GT 18. The Terps needed to pick that up and get points, but Petty tripped over his feet and was brought down.

10) The Terps were not able to follow-up the positives of their first drive of the 2nd half, going 3 and out on the 2nd series.

11) Maryland went down 27-0, went GT scored on their 2nd series of the 2nd half. 5 plays, 69 yards, Washington and Smith both having 25 yard runs.

12) Up 27-7 in the 4th, GT went for it on 4th and 1 from their own 42. Had Maryland come up with the stop, they would have been in good field position. However, GT gained 5 yards on a Laskey run, and would score several plays later. A blocked extra point, kept the score 33-7.

13) With Maryland having a 1st and 10 from the GT 12, Gilbert was called for holding. This backed the Terps up, and Petty was picked off on the following play.

14) Petty was sacked 4 times.

15) The Yellow Jackets only attempted 4 passes today with their triple option offense. Georgia Tech had 55 rushes, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.

The Ugly:

1) Following the Terps first positive offensive play of the game (a QB keeper) on Maryland’s 3rd series; Petty fumbled away the possession on 3rd and 2 from the MD 33.

2) Neither one of Renfro’s initial 2 punts was very good. Despite the recovered fumble, the punt coverage on the first punt was poor. Renfro’s 3rd punt went just 17 yards, allowing GT to take over at the MD 49.

3) Hartsfield was lost to injury.

4) Brown was lost to injury.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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