Terps Get Run Over By Seminoles, Lose 41-16

Image from the AP.

C.J. Brown was injured, Maryland’s defense could do nothing to stop the Seminoles’ attack, and the Terps generally were unable to get much together as they fell 41-16 to Florida State in Tallahassee Saturday afternoon.

Maryland was outgained 482-329 by Florida State, and that margin was most apparent on the ground – the Seminoles outran the Terps 226 to 57. Devonta Freeman ran 12 times for 107 yards and a touchdown and Jermaine Thomas had eight carries for 79 yards and a score. The ‘Noles also got rushing touchdowns from quarterback E.J. Manuel (who finished 18/26 for 264 yards and a score through the air as well) and Debrale Smiley.

C.J. Brown was taken out of the game after receiving a nasty helmet-to-helmet blow from linebacker Nigel Bradham, and finished the game 11/19 for 92 yards in the air and with ten rushes for -5 yards. Danny O’Brien then came in and looked like the star quarterback of old, completing 9/18 passes for 180 yards and a score.

O’Brien’s top target on the day was Quintin McCree. The senior wideout had a breakout game, helping relieve the absence of the injured Kevin Dorsey with a nine reception, 177-yard performance. O’Brien finished with two total touchdowns – a five yard scamper into the end zone and a 15-yard floater to Marcus Leak with less than ten seconds remaining.

Maryland wasn’t able to get much going on the ground against the stout and athletic Florida State defense. Davin Meggett ran 11 times for 44 yards, and Justus Pickett had eight carries for 28 yards.

On defense, there were a few players who stood out – Keith Bowers, Andre Monroe, Mario Rowson, and Lorne Goree, all freshmen, had good games. Other than that, the Terps struggled to contain the Florida State offense, who seemingly marched down the field at will.

The story of the game will undoubtedly be the quarterback controversy, and I doubt we know for sure who starts next week against Boston College until next Saturday. Even before he was hurt, Brown wasn’t very good today, and Gary Crowton finally showed a willingness to stretch the field with Danny O’Brien. It worked, and Maryland’s offense improved bounds after DOB started throwing down field.

We’ll have more on the game tomorrow.