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.