It wasn't easy, but last night, Maryland got it's second win against Florida State ever and made it two in a row at home against them. Of course it wasn't as meaningful as 2004 when FSU was ranked #5. However, this year, the win put the Terps at six wins total and bowl eligible. Plus it was on national TV, making up for their humiliation earlier this year at West Virginia. So how was it done?Maryland's defense was still better this week than it had been in the first few weeks. It wasn't as good as last week, but it was good. Their corners couldn't cover 6'6" Greg Carr, but their run game was effective when needed to be. When Bobby Bowden elected to go for it on a fourth and one, defensive end Jeremy Navarre busted through the line and made the tackle behind the line. It resulted in good Maryland field position and the next drive lead to a TD. That play was so big that defensive coordinator Chris Cosh flipped on the sideline.
The defense did cave at some points. However, one FSU drive for a TD happened was a result of their incompetence. When driving in Maryland territory on third down, Maryland stopped them close to the line of scrimmage and the play was over. But then the refs called FSU on a false start and the Seminoles got the play over. The defense didn't recover that drive and the Seminoles scored. It was followed by an offensive three and out. I know the o-lineman jumped, but the play was run when false starts are called before the snap. That touchdown made the game 27-21.
The defense has solidified itself as a "bend don't break" defense. Maryland let the Seminoles come close, but they didn't yield the win. One FSU touchdown was aided with Maryland penalties and a little help from the wind holding the ball up for. However, FSU penalties helped the Terps to a touchdown so that evens out in the end. In the end, the Terps did not break by blocking a 46 yard field goal. The odd part is I knew that was going to happen. I was positive -- absolutely positive -- that the kick was not going to make it. I don't know why. I just knew that the Terps had the edge in this game. In the past couple years, I'd be positive that the kick would be good. Maybe I'm sensing a Maryland turnaround.
I thought that Maryland was offensively sharp. Even though Sam Hollenbach misled wide open receivers when throwing the long balls, the rest of the game he was on. He made a nice TD throw to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey had some really nice catches. Isaiah Williams did as well. And Maryland's offensive line was beastly last night. Some of those holes they opened up for Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore were huge. FSU's defense is still pretty good and Maryland moved the ball well against them.
Three weeks ago, I was worried that the fourth quarter come back against Virginia was just a fluke. However, Maryland turned it around, came back home, got early leads against opponents and didn't give them. They're now 6-1 and 3-1 in the division. They control their own destiny when it comes to the ACC Title, even though the toughest games are coming up. They have Clemson next Saturday at 12 on ESPN2 again in Death Valley, which is probably the most difficult game left on their schedule -- tougher than BC because Clemson was just dealt a bad loss by Virginia Tech. Maryland fans should be pretty excited. Early on, it looked like their season was going to over really quickly. Instead, they're contenders in the ACC and gave us another defeat of Florida State, even if the Seminoles are weaker than they have been in ages. Hopefully, they'll keep it rolling.
