SB Nation DC: All Posts by Pete Volkhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-11-26T08:01:10-05:00https://dc.sbnation.com/authors/pete-volk/rss2012-11-26T08:01:10-05:002012-11-26T08:01:10-05:00Grading Maryland's Season Finale Loss
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<p>Maryland ended their season with a tight loss to North Carolina in a wild affair in Chapel Hill. The Terps finish up at 4-8, and SB Nation DC grades their performance in the final game of the year.</p> <p>Maryland's injury-filled season is blissfully over, and the Terps can now focus on a full recovery for what should be an exciting ACC swan song in 2013. With a legitimate quarterback battle, four great weapons at wide receiver, and two standout running backs, the offense should be much improved, and while the defense loses quite a bit, they still have a good amount of talent returning. Some of the offensive talent was on display Saturday, as the Terrapins fell on the road to North Carolina in a wild game by a score of 45-38. Let's grade out the units.</p>
<p><b>Quarterback: B-. </b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty" class="sbn-auto-link">Shawn Petty</a> scored two touchdowns (one through the air, one on the ground) against only one turnover, marking the second week in a row that he has had more scores than giveaways. He struggled late in the game, but was on fire during the frantic period near the end of the first half and the start of the second. Petty finished up 16/35 for 208 yards and a touchdown, and ran ten times for 25 yards and a score.</p>
<p><b>Running Backs: A. </b>Maryland finally just stayed with Brandon Ross, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133991/justus-pickett" class="sbn-auto-link">Justus Pickett</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165666/albert-reid" class="sbn-auto-link">Albert Reid</a> were left without carries (Pickett had a reception). Ross made the most of it, rushing 21 times for 141 yards and a score. That included an early one-yard touchdown and a 71-yard run off a zone read that led to a Terrapin score.</p>
<p><b>Wide Receivers: A-. </b>All four receivers who had a catch on Saturday averaged more than ten yards per reception, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stefon Diggs</a> surprisingly at the bottom of the pack at 10.3 ypc (eight receptions for 82 yards). The freshman also had a passing touchdown, ran for 20 yards, and returned a kick for a score. Nigel King had four catches for 72 yards, including two fantastic one-handed grabs, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36623/matt-furstenburg" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Furstenburg</a> caught two passes for 37 yards, including Diggs' touchdown throw, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Dorsey</a> caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with four seconds left in the first half to take Maryland's only lead of the game.</p>
<p><b>Offensive Line: B+. </b>Petty only got sacked once, Ross had a great day, but Petty got hit quite a few times after throwing the ball - including one instance that led to an interception.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Line: C+. </b>This unit was hampered by an injured <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36624/joe-vellano" class="sbn-auto-link">Joe Vellano</a>, and the Terps did not manage to sack <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner" class="sbn-auto-link">Bryn Renner</a> in the entire game. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114383/darius-kilgo" class="sbn-auto-link">Darius Kilgo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134003/keith-bowers" class="sbn-auto-link">Keith Bowers</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76015/a-j-francis" class="sbn-auto-link">A.J. Francis</a> each recorded a tackle for a loss, however, and combined for 11 stops in the game.</p>
<p><b>Linebackers: B. </b>L.A. Goree continued to do well in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36619/demetrius-hartsfield" class="sbn-auto-link">Demetrius Hartsfield's</a> absence, recording a game-high 14 tackles. Before being injured, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133994/cole-farrand" class="sbn-auto-link">Cole Farrand</a> recorded seven tackles, and Kenneth Tate had five in his final collegiate game. Goree, Farrand and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133987/alex-twine" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Twine</a> each broke up a pass, and Bradley Johnson forced a fumble.</p>
<p><b>Secondary: C+. </b>Yes, Bryn Renner did throw a school-record five touchdown passes, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75984/dexter-mcdougle" class="sbn-auto-link">Dexter McDougle</a> had a very good game at cornerback, recording eleven tackles, including one for a loss. Eric Franklin had six tackles and broke up a pass, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/167358/anthony-nixon" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Nixon</a> recovered the squib kick that turned into an onside effort. Matt Robinson had an awful game, with only two tackles and two blown tackles to start out the game that led to an early Tar Heel touchdown.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams: C+. </b>Stefon Diggs returned four kicks for an average of 36.5 yards, including one for a 99-yard score to start out the second half. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165664/brad-craddock" class="sbn-auto-link">Brad Craddock</a> made his only field goal attempt (from 27 yards) and all five extra points, and kicked the squibber that led to the late first half Dorsey score. However, Nate Renfro punted consistently poorly throughout the game, giving the Tar Heels the requisite second half field position to put the game away. He finished with six attempts for an average of 34.7 yards.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/26/3690000/grading-marylands-season-finale-against-north-carolinaPete Volk2012-11-24T18:54:46-05:002012-11-24T18:54:46-05:00Terps Lose Wild Season Finale, 45-38
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<p>Maryland's football season is at long last over, as the season finale in Chapel Hill ended in a 45-38 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels">North Carolina Tar Heels</a>. Bryn Renner threw for five touchdown passes for the Tar Heels, and second-half dominance from North Carolina put the game away.</p>
<p>The game started out like so many others in the tail end of the Terrapins' season - with two quick scores from the opponent. On the first drive, safety Matt Robinson missed two tackles and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a> found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134314/eric-ebron">Eric Ebron</a> for a 30-yard score. After <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty">Shawn Petty</a> was intercepted, Renner quickly found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159498/quinshad-davis">Quinshad Davis</a> in the corner of the end zone for a two-yard score.</p>
<p>But Maryland came back to tie it up early in the second quarter, before a frantic end to the half gave the Terps their first lead. After rushing touchdowns from Brandon Ross and Petty, Renner threw another touchdown pass. With a few minutes left in the half, Nigel King made back-to-back one-handed catches, and hauled in another reception for 21 yards. That set up one of a few trick plays for Maryland on the night, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> took the ball to the right side on a wide receiver reverse and then threw it to a wide open <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36623/matt-furstenburg">Matt Furstenburg</a> in the end zone.</p>
<p>On the ensuing kick-off, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165664/brad-craddock">Brad Craddock's</a> squib bounced around the field before falling into the arms of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/167358/anthony-nixon">Anthony Nixon</a> in North Carolina territory. With four seconds left, Petty found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey">Kevin Dorsey</a> over the middle, who broke a few tackles and dove into the end zone for a 28-yard score and a 28-21 lead.</p>
<p>The wild nature of the game continued at the beginning of the third quarter, as the kick-off to start the half was returned 99 yards for a score by Stefon Diggs. North Carolina responded with two more Bryn Renner touchdowns over the next two minutes to tie it up, and at that point, the Tar Heels took over.</p>
<p>Thomas Moore hit a 22-yard field goal, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114431/giovani-bernard">Giovani Bernard</a> ran in a one-yard score for the first non-Renner UNC touchdown of the night. That made for 24 unanswered points by the Tar Heels, and a 45-35 lead headed into the fourth.</p>
<p>Maryland put together a drive midway through the fourth that resulted in a 27-yard Brad Craddock field goal, but North Carolina was able to run out the clock on Maryland's season. The Terps finish up at 4-8 with six straight losses and a countless number of injuries.</p>
<p>Shawn Petty finished the game 16/35 for 208 yards and a score with one interception, while Brandon Ross continued his strong end-of-season form with 21 rushes for 141 yards. Stefon Diggs caught eight passes for 82 yards, ran three times for 20 yards, threw a touchdown pass, and returned a kick for a touchdown. Meanwhile, for Carolina, Bryn Renner tied for a school record with five touchdown passes, Giovani Bernard had 27 rushes for 163 yards and a score, and Quinshad Davis finished with nine receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">We'll have more on this game tomorrow.</span></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3686700/maryland-vs-north-carolina-recap-tar-heels-terrapins-bryn-rennerPete Volk2012-11-24T18:04:12-05:002012-11-24T18:04:12-05:00UNC Gets Big Third Quarter, Terps Trail 45-35
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<p>After an action-packed ending to the first half, Maryland and North Carolina have picked up where they left off, with a third quarter where the two teams combined for 31 points. The Tar Heels got the better of the quarter, and enter the fourth leading 45-35/</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> returned the opening kick-off of the half 99 yards for a score, and Maryland continued their unprecedented assault on the scoreboard. That made it three plays in a row with Maryland touchdowns, and the score 35-21.</p>
<p>North Carolina responded, as with the second play on their next drive <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a> found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159498/quinshad-davis">Quinshad Davis</a> for a 50-yard score, for the fourth touchdown in 67 seconds of game-time.</p>
<p>After a three-and-out for the Terps, the Tar Heels got the ball back and started out well, with an 11-yard run by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114431/giovani-bernard">Giovani Bernard</a> and a 15-personal foul penalty on Eric Franklin. Renner completed a 20-yard pass to Davis, and the ball came out near his contact with the ground, with Maryland recovering. However, the play was reviewed, and the officials ruled Carolina ball at the ten yard line. After a false start penalty, Renner found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76519/erik-highsmith">Erik Highsmith</a> in the corner for a 15-yard score (the play was also upheld after a review). After the extra point, it was 35-35, with five touchdowns in 3:11 of gameplay.</p>
<p>North Carolina took advantage of a poor Nate Renfro punt on the next drive, starting out on the Terps' 31. A 21-yard pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134314/eric-ebron">Eric Ebron</a> put the Tar Heels within goal territory, but Maryland's defense stepped up and force a field goal attempt, notably consecutive deflected passes by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133994/cole-farrand">Cole Farrand</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75987/marcus-whitfield">Marcus Whitfield</a>. Thomas Moore hit the 22-yarder, giving UNC a 38-35 lead.</p>
<p>After another poor Renfro punt on Maryland's next drive, North Carolina quickly moved towards the red zone, and after a ten-yard touchdown pass to Davis was overturned, Bernard ran it in from one-yard out for a 45-35 lead.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3686544/maryland-vs-north-carolina-scoring-update-terrapins-tar-heels-uncPete Volk2012-11-24T16:48:16-05:002012-11-24T16:48:16-05:00Frantic End to Half Give Terps 28-21 Lead
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<p>With 14 points in the last 30 seconds, Maryland has taken a 28-21 lead heading into halftime.</p>
<p>After the teams traded punts, Maryland started a drive with about 10:30 left in the half. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty">Shawn Petty</a> ran for seven yards, and on third-and three Brandon Ross took a zone read 71 yards down the left side line, breaking one tackle and outrunning several Tar Heel defenders before being brought down by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114429/tre-boston">Tre Boston</a> at the two. On the next play, Petty rolled out and ran it in, standing up a UNC defender and tying the game at 14.</p>
<p>North Carolina was able to strike back before the half ended, putting together a 12-play, 63-yard drive punctuated by a 12-yard touchdown pass from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a> to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76506/a-j-blue">A.J. Blue</a> after a series of missed tackles.</p>
<p>On the next drive, Nigel King had back-to-back one-handed catches - the first which he turned from a negative gain into one for two yards, and the second a highlight-reel grab that went for 43. Two plays later, King had another big catch, grabbing one over the middle for 21 yards. Maryland pulled out another trick play just before the end of the half, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> threw the ball on a reverse to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36623/matt-furstenburg">Matt Furstenburg</a> for an eight-yard score, tying the game at 21-21.</p>
<p>On the ensuing kick-off, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165664/brad-craddock">Brad Craddock</a> attempted a squib kick. North Carolina never gained possession, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/167358/anthony-nixon">Anthony Nixon</a> ended up recovering it at the 28. On the next play, Petty found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey">Kevin Dorsey</a> over the middle, and after three broken tackles, he dove into the endzone to take a 28-21 lead.</p>
<p>Petty finishes the half 11/16 for 147 yards and a touchdown, Ross has run 13 times for 116 yards and a score, and Diggs has nine touches for 80 yards and a score. Maryland has outgained North Carolina 304-206, outpacing their season average of 273.91.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3686344/maryland-vs-north-carolina-scoring-update-hilarity-ensues-marylandPete Volk2012-11-24T15:54:18-05:002012-11-24T15:54:18-05:00Terps Trail After One, 14-7
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<p>Maryland finds themselves in a close game for the first time in about a month, and it certainly didn't look like it was headed that way at the start.</p>
<p>North Carolina got to work immediately, exposing Matt Robinson in the Terrapin secondary. After <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a> completed a three-yard pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134313/jack-tabb">Jack Tabb</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114431/giovani-bernard">Giovani Bernard</a> burst up the middle, breaking away easily from a Robinson tackle and gaining 42 yards. On the next play, Renner found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134314/eric-ebron">Eric Ebron</a> over the middle after an accidental screen from the referee, and Robinson again did a poor job tackling. Ebron scored on the 30-yard play, and the Tar Heels took an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p>On the third play of Maryland's drive, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty">Shawn Petty</a> was hit in the head as he threw, and was intercepted by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134301/darien-rankin">Darien Rankin</a>, who seemingly broke tackles from the entire Terrapin offense before returning the pick 44 yards to the Terrapin 3 yard-line. Three plays later, Renner found <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159498/quinshad-davis">Quinshad Davis</a> in the corner of the end zone for another touchdown. UNC led 14-0 less than three minutes into the game.</p>
<p>The Terps got together a big drive towards the end of the quarter. Brandon Ross ran for seven yards, and then Petty completed a third down pass to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> over the middle for eight yards. UNC was called for a roughing the passer penalty, and Ross ran for nine yards. After a fumbled snap, Maryland had a fourth-and-one, which they decided to try and convert - from the shotgun. Petty completed a contested pass to Diggs over the middle which went for 12 yards, giving the Terps a first down. On the next play, Maryland used a trick play - pitching a reverse to Nigel King for a 19-yard gain to the goalline. Ross banged it in on the next play, closing the gap to 14-7.</p>
<p>Maryland has seen solid production from Ross and Diggs in the game, and actually has more first downs than the Tar Heels (seven to three) while staying close in yardage (107-92, UNC holds that advantage). Ross has ran nine times for 26 yards, alternating between solid 5-9 yard gains and runs for zero or negative yardage, while Diggs has four catches for 43 yards.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3686172/maryland-vs-north-carolina-scoring-update-acc-terrapins-tar-heelsPete Volk2012-11-19T08:00:42-05:002012-11-19T08:00:42-05:00Grading Maryland's Blowout Loss
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<p>After starting out 4-2, Maryland has lost five straight games and is now out of bowl contention. SB Nation DC looks at how the Terps performed against Florida State.</p> <p>After two straight heartbreaking losses, Maryland has now gone through three blowout defeats. The latter may be preferred (to the fans at least), but to each their own. This one was inevitable - a top-ten team sporting the best defense in the country against an even more injury-riddled Terps team - and Florida State did not disappoint, winning 41-14 in a game they dominated. Let's hand out our grades.</p>
<p><b>Quarterback: C. </b>It's always tough grading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty">Shawn Petty</a>, because he's now twice thrown a stat-padding touchdown in the last minute and because he's a <i>linebacker playing quarterback, </i>but if you take out the two long <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey">Kevin Dorsey</a> completions, he's at 6/17 for 61 yards. That being said, the Dorsey completions happened, so all credit goes to Petty (at least on the first one. Florida State could not have cared less on the second). Add in nine rushes for 14 yards (not including five sacks that lost him 46), and it's not a great day, but he's still a linebacker playing quarterback.</p>
<p><b>Running Backs: D. </b>After last week's Brandon Ross break-out, the freshman from Delaware came back to Earth, running 11 times for 30 yards. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165666/albert-reid">Albert Reid</a> had two carries for six yards, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133991/justus-pickett">Justus Pickett</a> ran twice for one yard. Losing Wes Brown hurts, big time.</p>
<p><b>Wide Receivers: B+.</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> didn't have his usual unbelievable touchdown play, but he still had eight touches for 74 yards, including a 23-yard rush and a 23-yard reception. The star, of course, was Dorsey, who caught two passes, both for touchdowns. Nigel King was the only other receiver with a catch on the day.</p>
<p><b>Offensive Line: F. </b>It's hard to expect really anything against the Panzer Tank combo at end for Florida State, but Petty was sacked five times (fumbling once) and the aforementioned running backs averaged around 2.5 yards per carry. The line was unable to push or hold tight when the situation called for either.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Line: D-. </b>How the mighty have fallen. No one on the line got a sack in the game, and what was once Maryland's best unit on the field had a poor game, combining for 14 tackles. That includes a combined eight from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76011/isaiah-ross">Isaiah Ross</a> and Quinton Jefferson, and only three total from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36624/joe-vellano">Joe Vellano</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76015/a-j-francis">A.J. Francis</a>.</p>
<p><b>Linebackers: B. </b>Kenneth Tate had a game reminiscent of his Florida State performance of two years ago, with seven tackles and all of Maryland's three sacks, but it was L.A. Goree who had a breakout game. Filling in for the injured <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36619/demetrius-hartsfield">Demetrius Hartsfield</a>, he had a game-high 13 tackles, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133994/cole-farrand">Cole Farrand</a> right behind him at eight. The two middle linebackers played well throughout the game, and Farrand was able to force a fumble.</p>
<p><b>Secondary: C. </b>Matt Robinson got an interception and the two safeties combined for 13 tackles, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36085/e-j-manuel">E.J. Manuel</a> toasted the Terps all day, completing 17 of 23 passes.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams: B. </b>Nate Renfro finally shows up when it doesn't matter, averaging 43.3 yards per punt on seven attempts, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159213/levern-jacobs">Levern Jacobs</a> is subpar on kick returns (17.0 yards per return plus a fumble lost). No field goal attempts for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165664/brad-craddock">Brad Craddock</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/167357/brendan-magistro">Brendan Magistro</a>.</p>
<p>Now, three things Maryland can do instead of going to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Saturday.</p>
<p><b>1. Study. </b>Finals are coming up! Don't want the student-athletes to slack off on the first part of that designation.</p>
<p><b>2. Watch a movie. </b>Always a fun activity. The players could get a party together, with popcorn and big chairs and maybe watch <i>Remember the Titans</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>or something.</p>
<p><b>3. Go Hiking. </b>Hiking is fun! You get to see nature, and it's physical activity, if the players find themselves missing that aspect of football. It's not a contact sport, unless you count contact with the Earth! jk lol</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/19/3662660/maryland-terrapins-florida-state-seminoles-recap-unit-grades-reviewPete Volk2012-11-17T15:05:42-05:002012-11-17T15:05:42-05:00Terps Blown Out In Home Finale, 41-14
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<p>With the top defense in the country coming to town to face the worst offense, Maryland fans knew it was going to be a long day in College Park. The game lived up to its booking, as the #10 Florida State Seminoles came in and crushed the Terrapins, 41-14.</p>
<p>Maryland was outperformed in every aspect of the game, and nowhere was it clearer than in yardage. Florida State outgained the Terps 399-170, with advantages both in the air (160-136) and on the ground (239-34). Up until a last-minute touchdown to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey">Kevin Dorsey</a>, three Florida State players had outscored the Terps and two outgained them.</p>
<p>The Seminoles started out with an 11-play, 62-yard drive that ended in a five-yard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133806/devonta-freeman">Devonta Freeman</a> touchdown. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159213/levern-jacobs">Levern Jacobs</a> fumbled the resulting kick-off, with Florida State recovering. On the next play, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36085/e-j-manuel">E.J. Manuel</a> completed a ten-yard pass to an open <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133824/nick-o-leary">Nick O'Leary</a> in the end zone for another score.</p>
<p>Later in the quarter, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty">Shawn Petty</a> fumbled, with the Seminoles recovering again. This time, the turnover led to a field goal - the first of two for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85815/dustin-hopkins">Dustin Hopkins</a> in the half. Near the end of the second, Florida State scored again, as a nine play drive went 70 yards, culminating in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manuel to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133855/rashad-greene">Rashad Greene</a>, making the score 27-0 and putting the game out of reach.</p>
<p>Maryland was able to score on their first drive of the third. On the nine-play, 81-yard drive, Brandon Ross ran three times for 11 yards, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs">Stefon Diggs</a> had three touches for 34 yards, and Shawn Petty had two completions for 42 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to Kevin Dorsey. Petty rolled out to the left before doubling back to his right, providing time for Dorsey to get open before supplying him with a nice pass.</p>
<p>Petty finished 8/19 for 136 yards and two scores, with his statline significantly padded by the two long Dorsey touchdowns. Ross led the team in rushing, with all carries for 30 yards, and Diggs finished with three catches for 45 yards.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/17/3658852/florida-state-vs-maryland-recap-seminoles-blowout-terrapins-stefon-diggsPete Volk2012-11-17T14:19:50-05:002012-11-17T14:19:50-05:00Terps Trail 34-7 After Three
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<p>Maryland got the ball to start the second half, and finally got on the board. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stefon Diggs</a> broke off a 23-yard run on third down, and caught a nine-yard pass on the next play. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165666/albert-reid" class="sbn-auto-link">Albert Reid</a> busted through for a first down, and three plays later the Terps elected to go for it on fourth down. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty" class="sbn-auto-link">Shawn Petty</a> rolled out to his left, ran back to his right and made a great throw to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Dorsey</a>, who ran the rest of the way and dove into the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown.</p>
<p>After the teams traded punts, Florida State moved down the field slowly before a big run from Devonta Freeman. On third-and-one at Maryland's 49, he burst through the whole, ran past the entire Terrapin team, and was eventually caught from behind by Matt Robinson at the one. On the next play, he punched it in to give the Seminoles a 34-7 lead.</p>
<p>Maryland is currently driving into Florida State territory, thanks in large part to eight yards on the ground from Petty. The quarterback is now 6/12 for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Brandon Ross now has ten rushes for 27 yards.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/17/3658770/florida-state-vs-maryland-scoring-update-terps-get-on-the-board-stillPete Volk2012-11-17T13:22:13-05:002012-11-17T13:22:13-05:00Terps Trail Big At Half
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<p>When we last left Maryland and Florida State, the Terps were trailing by two touchdowns after giving away two turnovers and had the Seminoles within the ten-yard line. Maryland was able to hold FSU, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85815/dustin-hopkins" class="sbn-auto-link">Dustin Hopkins</a> kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it 17-0.</p>
<p>After a three-and-out for Maryland, a 21-yard reception by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133824/nick-o-leary" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick O'Leary</a> and a 12-yard run by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133806/devonta-freeman" class="sbn-auto-link">Devonta Freeman</a> set up another Hopkins field goal, this time from 40 yards out. The teams traded punts until nearly the end of the half, when <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36085/e-j-manuel" class="sbn-auto-link">E.J. Manuel</a> completed five passes for 62 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide open <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133855/rashad-greene" class="sbn-auto-link">Rashad Greene</a>. Hopkins made the extra point, making it 27-0 Florida State.</p>
<p>At the half, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty" class="sbn-auto-link">Shawn Petty</a> is 4/9 for 27 yards, with six rushes for -9 yards and a fumble lost. Maryland's leading rusher is Brandon Ross, who only has three carries for 14 yards. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/165665/stefon-diggs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stefon Diggs</a> has been unable to save the Terps either - he has one reception for 11 yards.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, for the Seminoles, Manuel is 14/18 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Freeman has run 11 times for 77 yards and a score, and Greene and O'Leary have combined for seven catches and 96 yards with two scores.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/17/3658654/florida-state-vs-maryland-scoring-update-florida-state-holds-big-halfPete Volk2012-11-17T12:36:33-05:002012-11-17T12:36:33-05:00Two Turnovers In First Lead to 14-0 Terps Deficit
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<p>We talked before the game about the multitude of weapons that the Seminoles have, and they showcased it from the get-go in College Park. After <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159094/karlos-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Karlos Williams</a> returned the opening kick for 32 yards, six different players gained yardage en route to a five-yard touchdown run from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133806/devonta-freeman" class="sbn-auto-link">Devonta Freeman</a>, giving FSU an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p>On the ensuing kickoff, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159213/levern-jacobs" class="sbn-auto-link">Levern Jacobs</a> gained 17 yards before fumbling, with the Seminoles' Toshmon Stevens recovering. On the first play of the next drive, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36085/e-j-manuel" class="sbn-auto-link">E.J. Manuel</a> found <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133824/nick-o-leary" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick O'Leary</a> open in the end zone for a ten-yard touchdown.</p>
<p>The Terps managed to get two first downs on their first possession of the game, with an eleven-yard rush from Brandon Ross followed up by an 11-yard completion from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159221/shawn-petty" class="sbn-auto-link">Shawn Petty</a> to Stefon Diggs. They were forced to punt later, but the defense managed to cause a Florida State three-and-out.</p>
<p>On the first play of Maryland's next drive, Petty fumbled, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133856/cornellius-carradine" class="sbn-auto-link">Cornellius Carradine</a> recovered. Florida State was able to drive easily, and will have third-and-goal from around the six when we start the second.</p>
<p>The talk leading about to this game revolved around Maryland's need for perfection to stay in this game, and with two turnovers in the first 15 minutes, it's not looking too promising. The Terps have seven offensive plays, compared to the Seminoles' 20.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/11/17/3658450/maryland-florida-state-scoring-update-seminoles-get-out-to-quickPete Volk