Grading Maryland's Performance Against North Carolina State

The Terrapins suffered a heartbreaking homecoming loss to the visiting Wolfpack Saturday afternoon, when a 33-yard Brad Craddock field goal hit off the left upright with seconds remaining. SB Nation DC grades the Terps' units on their performance.

NC State vs. Maryland 2012: Terrapins fans react to heartbreaking loss

The Maryland Terrapins suffered their first defeat in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday, dropping a close contest, 20-18, to the N.C. State Wolfpack at Byrd Stadium. The Terrapins (4-3, 2-1 ACC) were done in by a bad day from their kicker Brad Craddock, who missed an extra point and a possible game-winning field goal with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Craddock's miss spoiled an impressive last-minute drive by third-string quarterback Caleb Rowe, who moved Maryland 60 yards in five plays after kicker Niklas Sade gave N.C. State a two-point lead with 32 seconds remaining.

Saturday's ending was one of the craziest the SB Nation blog Testudo Times has ever witnessed.

In one of the craziest college football games I've ever seen -- involving three quarterbacks, each more effective than the last, a true freshman QB burning his redshirt with thirty seconds to go before leading a potentially game-winning drive, and two game-winning field goal attempts in the final 40 seconds -- it came down to Craddock in the end, his final kick clanging off the left upright and sending intense pain through Maryland's fanbase.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, however, the blog stated its love for Maryland's football team, which has been impressive so far this season.

I love this team. A lot of you, especially those of you who view sports with an ironic raised eyebrow, probably don't. But they show an extraordinary amount of heart, every single game. Lose your starting quarterback, Perry Hills, to what looked like a season-ending leg injury? Bring in the backup, Devin Burns, a converted wide receiver, and kickstart the offense to lead a comeback. Give up that lead, get the ball with 32 seconds left and the ball at the 25 needing two points? Very well, the option won't work, let's bring in true freshman Caleb Rowe. He burnt his redshirt in unfair circumstances by anyone's measure. And yet there he goes, completing passes, avoiding pressure and putting Maryland in position to win the game. It was storybook stuff.

The Terrapins' next game will be Saturday at Boston College. The contest is schedule to start at 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

North Carolina State vs. Maryland Recap: Late Craddock Miss Gifts Wolfpack 20-18 Win

Brad Craddock missed a 33-yard field goal off the upright with two seconds left, as the Terps lost their perfect record in conference play at home against North Carolina State.

North Carolina State vs. Maryland Scoring Update: Failed Conversions Leave Terps With 17-15 Defecit After Three

The points finally came in bunches, but two failed point-after conversions on Maryland's part leave them with a 17-15 deficit heading into the fourth.

Tight end Dave Stinebaugh broke through to block Wil Baumann's punt on the Wolfpack's first drive, and Levern Jacobs recovered in NC State territory.

The ensuing drive was Devin Burns' first solo effort as a Maryland quarterback, and the converted receiver did not disappoint. Burns ran for 15 yards, and then six yards, and then completed a 12-yard pass to Marcus Leak. After a Wolfpack pass interference penalty gave the Terps a first-and-goal opportunity, Wes Brown was able to score two plays later. Brad Craddock missed the extra point, and Maryland still trailed 10-9.

NC State struck back quickly, with the help of Bryan Underwood. The receiver burned Eric Franklin badly, crossing him up with the cornerback and running to the end zone for a 68-yard score. The one-play drive took all of nine second, and the Wolfpack expanded their lead to 17-9. Underwood continued his touchdown streak, as he has scored in all seven games this season.

Burns and the Terps did their job on the following drive. After two plays that went negative yardage, the quarterback ran for 23 yards and a first down. On a third-and-ten later in the drive, Wes Brown ran for 15 yards, and Burns completed a 38-yard pass to Leak on the next play, bringing the Terps to the 2. Maryland executed a perfect play-action roll out, and Burns strolled into the end zone for his first career touchdown. The Terps failed the two-point conversion, keeping the score at 17-15.

After forcing a Wolfpack punt, the Terps are currently driving near midfield.

Perry Hills injury: Maryland QB carted off the field

Maryland quarterback Perry Hills was carted off the field after injuring his left leg against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

North Carolina State vs. Maryland Scoring Update: Hills Injured, Wolfpack Take 10-3 Lead After Second Quarter

After a strong first quarter, Maryland fell apart on both offense and defense in the second, and now trail the visiting North Carolina State Wolfpack 10-3.

Maryland started the quarter out with a bang, completing two passes in a row for Diggs. The first went for 25, putting the Terps in Wolfpack territory, and the freshman reversed the field on the second, gaining seven yards. After a one-yard run from Albert Reid and an incomplete pass to Kevin Dorsey, the Terps were forced to punt.

NC State then put together their first real drive of the game, and were rewarded for their efforts. Mike Glennon completed a 12-yard pass to Asa Watson, and Shadrach Thornton ran for seven yards. Glennon completed a pass to Quintin Payton, and after Marcus Whitfield gave a remarkably poor tackling effort, Payton ran for 34 yards to the Maryland 27. After a Thornton two-yard run, Glennon found full back Logan Winkles wide open at about the five-yard line. Winkles bowled over Eric Franklin with ease, strolling into the endzone for the touchdown. Niklas Sade hit the extra point, giving the Wolfpack a 7-3 lead.

After a Maryland three-and-out, Glennon and NC State went to work again. After a Darin Drakeford sack set up third-and-16, Glennon completed a 28-yard pass to Bryan Underwood. Three plays later, a five-yard pass to Payton resulted in another first down. Three plays after that, a two-yard run from Thornton gave them their third third-down conversion of the drive. On third-and-goal, however, they were unable to convert, settling for a 21-yard Sade field goal and a 10-3 lead.

After forcing their first three-and-out of the quarter, Maryland put together a short drive before it went awry. Hills completed a 14-yard pass to Dorsey, and then allowed Diggs to perform his magic on a 17-yard completion.

On the next play, Hills was intercepted by David Amerson, who would have returned it for a touchdown, if not for a block in the back. Hills was blown up on the play, and the quarterback appeared to have hurt his knee badly. He was carted off the field, and Devin Burns helmed the Terps' last drive.

After outgaining the Wolfpack 106-18 in the first quarter, Maryland was outgained 138-94 in the second. Glennon has recovered from a 2/7 for one yard first quarter with 7/13 for 119 yards in the second. Meanwhile, for Maryland, Wes Brown has emerged, with five rushes for 24 yards.

We'll keep you updated on the status of Hills as the game progresses, but the prognosis does not look good for his return today.

North Carolina St. vs. Maryland Scoring Update: Terps Dominating, Hold 3-0 Lead After First

Maryland has dominated in every way against North Carolina State through the first quarter of their 2012 football contest, but haven't been able to translate it to the scoreboard. Despite having nearly five times as many offensive yards, the Terps hold only a 3-0 lead.

The teams traded three-and-outs to start the game, but Maryland was able to strike on their second drive of the game. After two completions to Stefon Diggs for 15 yards gave the Terps a first down, they were able to get one on the ground as well - a five-yard run by Albert Reid, followed by four-yards from Justus Pickett, with an additional two-yarder from Reid to seal it.

After a holding penalty by Justin Gilbert, Hills completed a pass on the right side to Marcus Leak. Leak reversed field and outran several Wolfpack defenders before being brought down on the Wolfpack's 27 for a 47-yard gain. On the next play, the Terps attempted some trickery, bringing Diggs around on a sweep for a wide receiver pass. The attempt was batted down in the end zone, however, and Brad Craddock hit a 36-yard field goal two plays later to give Maryland the 3-0 lead.

The Wolfpack managed a first down on their next drive, but a third down Mike Glennon pass was deflected at the line by Darin Drakeford three plays later to force a punt. Maryland and Hills were able to move the ball on their next drive through Diggs, Matt Furstenburg and David Amerson (who was tagged with a pass interference), but back-to-back Wolfpack sacks forced a punt.

To say the Terps have kept Mike Glennon in check would be quite the understatement - the quarterback is 2/7 with one yard. Tony Creecy has ran five times for 17 yards, and three different Terrapins have more yards than the Wolfpack.

Perry Hills had a good quarter, completing 8/11 passes for 95 yards, while Diggs had four catches for 30 yards. Justus Pickett and Albert Reid continue to struggle, with six carries for a combined 20 yards.

Maryland outgained NC State 106-18 in the quarter, including 95-1 in the air.

Maryland vs. NC State: Terps Looking to Stay Perfect in ACC Play

Maryland opened up conference play with two close wins over Wake Forest and Virginia, and will look to move to 3-0 at home against North Carolina State.

NC State vs. Maryland 2012: Game time, TV schedule, odds and more

The Maryland Terrapins host NC State this Saturday in a battle of ACC Atlantic division rivals

Maryland football injury report: Three ruled out of Saturday's game vs. North Carolina State

Maryland will be without at least three key players against NC Statre this Saturday in College Park