For the second time in three weeks, Al Groh just made sure his offense didn't lose the game, and put the game in his defense's hands. Nate Collins made good on that gameplan in a muddy slogfest at College Park. Twerps fans might say the better team lost, but Maryland wasn't better in the stat that often determines games (turnover margin was 4-1), and where it matters most: on the scoreboard.
Some observations:
- It appeared that, like last week, it might be a costly win for the Hoos. QB Jameel Sewell looked like he twisted his knee pretty good, but said he was fine after the game. Matt Conrath might be a different story, but no update on either just yet.
- After Collins' heroics late in the third quarter, QB Marc Verica threw one more pass the rest of the game. I couldn't have been happier with the play-calling. Like Groh's decision to punt late in the first half from the Terps' 35, Groh was simply playing the hand he's been dealt (or more appropriately, the hand he's dealt himself as a recruiter).
- In the absence of Mikell Simpson, Rashawn Jackson was pretty good. I wouldn't call him magnificent, as Groh did (I'd expect that a guy as big as Jackson would run over people more, but I'm nitpicking). But he was rugged when he needed to be, specifically when his number was called ten straight times in the fourth quarter to salt the game away.
- Just as important to the Hoos' offense was QB, turned WR, sometimes CB, and occasional PR Vic Hall, who has developed into his roomate's favorite target at wideout. Hall led the Hoos with 5 catches for 53 yards, and Sewell targeted #4 whenever the Hoos needed a play.
- The Turtles outgained the Hoos 284-201 and had 17 first downs to Virginia's 9. But QB Chris Turner looked downright awful in the elements. So it was a little puzzling to me why the Terps didn't run more (their usual M.O. notwithstanding). I guess when your RBs put the ball on the ground as much as they do, that'll change your play-calling, which was run-dominant early. Still, it makes no sense that Maryland threw more than they ran when they were running at four yards a clip in a mosh pit. Virginia, meanwhile, had a much more sensible 38 run-26 pass split.
- Virginia didn't often get to Turner (only one sack), but harassed him all day, and the secondary was sound. On top of his game-winning TD, Collins had the team's only sack, two tackles for loss, and led the Hoos with nine tackles. Not bad, eh?
- Finally, it was nice to see that coaching head-scratchers aren't limited to the Cavalier sideline. With 1:54 on the clock and one timeout left, Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen actually ran his punt team onto the field on fourth down in a 13-9 game. Granted it was 4th & 18 from their own two, but if you punt, you're essentially conceding defeat in a 4-point game. Virginia saved him by calling timeout (hard to blame them -- I'm sure they were just as confused as I was by the call), at which point Fridge thought better of it and sent his offense back on the field. Amazes me that head coaches, epsecially those who don't call plays anymore like Fridge, can't seamlessly handle these situations. But I guess that's why Maryland is 2-5.
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Last Saturday marked the first time all season a Virginia football game went according to the script. The Hoos and Hoosiers entered the contest moving in opposite directions and, as the odds-maker's favorite, those who set the lines were betting Virginia would be able to continue the trend. The Cavaliers did thier part by extending their winning streak to two games while sending a listless Indiana squad back to Bloomington with their third consecutive loss. The only real surprise was Virginia's complete dominance as the offense exploded for 47 points and the defense only surrendered a late touchdown after the outcome was already decided. In fact, last week's offensive output prompted one long-time fan who attended the game to admit she "almost" got tired of singing the Good Ol' Song. Thankfully almost every Hoo fan will gladly accept that as a good problem to have.
Tomorrow, the Cavaliers visit College Park for their second ACC road contest, and this time it's against their border rival to the north. Virginia's recent two-game winning streak has sparked a guarded sense of optimism, and Saturday's game against Maryland proves pivotal on many levels. Going 0-3 in September makes it hard to believe, but another conference win actually keeps the Hoos squarely in the ACC Championship race and improves their overall record to .500 on the season. In addition, a win would likely go a long way in helping further revive fan confidence as well as force outsiders to at least begin to take notice.
Most Wahoo fans remember Mikell Simpson's breakout performance against Maryland in 2007, and in that contest, he was at the center of two controversial plays that secured the win for Virginia. Heading into tomorrow's showdown with Maryland Simpson once again found himself in the spotlight, yet this time the questions were about whether or not he would play on Saturday. Unlike two seasons ago, it looks like things will not fall in Virginia's favor as Simpson is likely out for tomorrow's contest.
For the second week in a row, the Hoos play in a homecoming game, yet this time they serve as the guests. At 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference, the Terrapins, like Virginia, are looking at tomorrow's game as a chance to stay relevant in the ACC race and help make up for some bad early-season losses - including a home setback to Middle Tennessee State. Maryland's offense is led by senior quarterback Chris Turner who is coming off a solid outing last weekend against Wake Forest. The two-year starter ranks fifth in the conference averaging just under 250 passing yards per contest and recorded his fourth career 300-yard game last week in the loss to the Demon Deacons. Turner also tied a career best with 3 TD tosses.
Another Terrapin drawing a lot of attention is wide receiver Torrey Smith. Like N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson, Smith is being billed as another in-state product that got away and proves a true multi-dimensional player. Smith ranks first in the nation averaging nearly 240 all-purpose yard per game and is 32nd in the nation with 85 receiving yards per outing. A prolific kick returner, Smith set the ACC single-season record last year with 1089 kick return yards, and last week against Wake Forest he returned his first kick 85 yards. Smith could present serious problems since the Cavalier's special teams unit continues to struggle.
Maryland's defense is anchored by linebacker Alex Wujciak and defensive back Anthony Wiseman. Wujciak averages 11 tackles per contest which is good enough to put him as the nation's active leader in career tackles per game, and he leads the ACC in tackles this season. Yet, despite their efforts, Maryland's total defense ranks 102nd in the nation and their scoring defense is 114th. So a renewed Sewell along with Vic Hall at the slot receiver spot should help ensure the Hoos pick where they left off a week ago. Even with Simpson out, Rashawn Jackson and Torrey Mack should still be able establish a solid ground attack.
With last week's record-low attendance (post-expansion) proves Cavalier fans aren't too terribly eager to hop right back on the bandwagon at the first sign of success - a surprise road win against Carolina wasn't enough to restore their faith. Two losing seasons out of the past three combined with a horrendous start to the '09 campaign, and Hoo nation has begun to expect the worst while, from the comfort of their couches, hope for the best. Virginia fans want to believe but are fearful of another collapse similar to last season. Members of the national media are starting to see signs of life but need more proof before truly buying into the idea that the Cavaliers are truly a different team from the one that lost to William and Mary. A win against the Terrapins might not be a complete cure, but it would serve as another step in the right direction.
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