SB Nation DC - Towson Vs. Maryland: Strong Second Half Gives Terrapins A 28-3 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-10-03T09:40:56-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22209922011-10-03T09:40:56-04:002011-10-03T09:40:56-04:00Maryland Vs. Towson: Terrapins Win, But Slow Starts Becoming An Issue
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<p>For the third week in a row the Maryland Terrapins started off slow in a game. This is something we should be concerned about.</p> <p>COLLEGE PARK, Md - If you were to just look at the final score from Maryland's victory over Towson on Saturday, you might not think there was anything worth nitpicking. But at halftime of that game, the Terps only led 7-3 and were getting doubled up in both total yardage and time of possession by an FCS opponent with their backup quarterback in. They came out a much different team in the second half and were able to run away to that 28-3 final score.</p>
<p>It was the third game in a row that Maryland has started off slowly in the first half. If they were playing an ACC opponent or even just an FBS school, it might have led to a third-straight loss. They fell behind quickly to West Virginia 27-10 before attempting their comeback in that loss, and they never really had a shot against Temple after trailing 31-0 at the half.</p>
<p>The Terps got the ball on the opening kickoff and quickly marched down the field for an opening touchdown. At that point, it seemed like they had maybe turned things around. But for the rest of the half, they couldn't really get anything going on either side of the ball. Sure, they prevented Towson from scoring a touchdown, but the Tigers were able to execute long, sustained drives time after time in the first half. Quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75975/danny-o-brien">Danny O'Brien</a> wasn't entirely sure what happened.</p>
<p>"I thought we came out with a lot more energy than against Temple, and like I said I thought we came out great on offense and defense," O'Brien said. "Getting the ball quick then scoring. I don't know what it was, but we did that, but then didn't really hit the reset button to do it again. We have to. We have to keep that energy and execution level because when we do we're tough."</p>
<p>This was also the third straight game that O'Brien didn't look quite as sharp as we expected coming into this season, and that might have something to do with the Terps' struggles. But the main issue is that after that emotional win over Miami, it seems like the team is having trouble replicating the kind of energy the played with in that game. When they do manage to play with energy, like in the second half against West Virginia, they can't do it for 60 minutes and are doing so from a pretty big hole.</p>
<p>But luckily the Terps were facing the Towson Tigers this week. Even though they got outplayed pretty badly in the first half, they weren't working from a hole. They played much better on both sides of the ball in the second half, forcing four turnovers and scoring three offensive touchdowns. They could have felt bad for themselves about another lackluster first half, but linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36619/demetrius-hartsfield">Demetrius Hartsfield</a> says that is not what happened.</p>
<p>"It was a very different feeling in the locker room than last week. Everybody was more getting each other together. More camaraderie. A lot of players were encouraging each other," Hartsfield said. "We just knew that we were just making small mistakes and we just had to play better, play harder and outplay them in the second half."</p>
<p>In four games and eight total halves so far this season, the Terps have been the team we expected them to be in only four of them: the full 60 minutes against Miami, the second half against West Virginia, none of the Temple game and the second half on Saturday against Towson. Now their schedule starts to get a lot tougher, and competing for only half the game isn't going to cut it against their challenging ACC schedule.</p>
<p>Coach Randy Edsall was asked about these issues in his post game press conference and acknowledged that they might not have played quite as well as they would have liked. However, he didn't seem to think it was a problem they would have trouble fixing.</p>
<p>"I'm glad that we came out the way that we did and scored right away. Then we stop them and go down, don't execute the field goal properly and could have gone up and built even more momentum," Edsall said. "It's hard to get momentum going if you're not getting first downs. Those are things that we look at on film, try to figure out why and get them corrected."</p>
<p>But is it a film issue. Execution, sure, but the biggest issue here is energy. The Terps just aren't coming out with enough energy, and when they are, it isn't lasting for the first 30 minutes of the ballgame. That isn't going to cut it against the ACC.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Towson Vs. Maryland game, visit this <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/28/2456951/towson-vs-maryland-football-uniforms">Storystream</a>. For more on the Terps, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com/">Testudo Times</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/3/2465704/maryland-vs-towson-recap-college-football-scoresJordan Ruby2011-10-01T20:48:38-04:002011-10-01T20:48:38-04:00Maryland Vs. Towson: Coach Randy Edsall And Players React Following 28-3 Victory
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<p>COLLEGE PARK, Md - The Maryland Terrapins just beat the Towson Tigers 28-3 on Sunday, but it wasn't nearly as easy as that final scoreline might indicate. The defense struggled to get off the field in the first half, and the offense couldn't maintain any possession themselves. But they turned it around in the second half with the help of four forced turnovers, and managed to run away from their instate rival. Here is some reaction from Coach Edsall and the players.</p>
<h4>Randy Edsall:</h4>
<p><b>On the game:</b> That was a good win for us. Anytime you win it's good; it's hard to win. I'm very proud of our assistant coaches and our players. I want to give give Towson credit. Rob had his guys ready to play. Came out with a lot of new wrinkles in the first half that we didn't see on film, and I knew that's what he was going to do; I just didn't know what he was going to do. I really thought our defense hung in there and did a good job. We did force four turnovers which I thought was huge. I'm just very proud of our players for getting that win. Now we can stay humble, stay hungry and build on it.</p>
<p><b>On where the team is after four games:</b> I think after four games that we have a pretty good feel of who we are and who we need to be moving forward. When you're coming in new and you're installing new systems, it takes some time to just figure out your own kids and what they can do. The bottom line is I want to do - we want to do the things they can do best. I think that looking at the game today and the other three games that we have a much better feel of what they can do now moving forward.</p>
<h4>Kevin Dorsey:</h4>
<p><b>On what he saw from Towson in the first half: </b>They sent some blitzes on third down that we weren't used to. Some blitzes on the back side that we hadn't practiced because we had seen them coming front side. It was a little bit different, but that is something that just at half time you have to adjust for.</p>
<h4>Demetrius Hartsfield:</h4>
<p><b>On the defense in the first half:</b> It wasn't frustrating at first. We just knew that we had to settle down because I think that we were running around a little bit in the first quarter because we didn't expect what they came out to do. But we got adjusted to it throughout the game. We definitely did better in the second half of forcing the turnovers. We just got the ball more.</p>
<h4>Danny O'Brien:</h4>
<p><b>On what the offense needs to improve on:</b> I gotta hit the gimme throws. The throws that I need to be making and can make, and do make. Those stick out to me. Hitting the gimme throws, making the gimme catches, those are gonna come. And just being better on third down because teams have been throwing some stuff at us - I don't want to say we struggled with - but we didn't convert. Especially now, it's going to be a tough road ahead.</p>
<p><b>On Where they stand after four weeks</b>: I think it started to show in the second half, as we kind of found out what was working and what wasn't. Like I said, we just do so many things. We go from the spread zone read, then we have a lot of pro style, pro set power downhill running game and play action. When you have all that stuff it's kind of hard to classify who you are. I think we're going to have to. You can be good at a lot of things and great at fewer things and we're trying to figure out what we're going to be great at.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462891/maryland-vs-towson-reaction-randy-edsallJordan Ruby2011-10-01T18:47:06-04:002011-10-01T18:47:06-04:00Towson Vs. Maryland Final Score: 28-3, Terps Pull Away Late
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<p>An early Towson drive in the fourth quarter stalled out. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/maryland-terrapins">Maryland Terrapins</a> from there marched down the field again to put more points on the board. After an 11-play 78 yard drive, Terps quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75975/danny-o-brien">Danny O'Brien</a> hit <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36612/kevin-dorsey">Kevin Dorsey</a> on a 7-yard touchdown pass to put the Terps up 21-3.</p>
<p>On the ensuing kickoff, Towson fumbled the kick return and it was recovered by Maryland on the 26-yard line, putting them right in striking distance. In only 5 plays, quarterback Danny O'Brien got the Terps in the endzone again on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Cierski. Maryland began to pull away from Towson after four turnovers in the second half.</p>
<p>After struggling in the first half, the Maryland offense picked up after half time. Terps quarterback Danny O'Brien ended the day going 14 of 21 for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48292/davin-meggett">Davin Meggett</a> had a nice day with 102 yards on 16 carries. Running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133991/justus-pickett">Justus Pickett</a> also had a nice day, finishing up with 82 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>Towson was able to run the ball for over 200 yards, but just couldn't put any points on the board when they had their chances. The four turnovers in the second half didn't help, either.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Towson Vs. Maryland game, visit this <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/28/2456951/towson-vs-maryland-football-uniforms">Storystream</a>. For more on the Terps, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com">Testudo Times</a></i></b></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462680/towson-vs-maryland-score-finalAlfie Crow2011-10-01T17:59:32-04:002011-10-01T17:59:32-04:00Towson Vs. Maryland Score Update: Maryland Rights The Ship Leads 14-3
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<p>At halftime, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/maryland-terrapins">Maryland Terrapins</a> held a 7-3 lead over the Towson Tigers but that's about all they led. The Tigers out gained the Terps 225 to 111 yards and dominated the time of possession 21:30 to 8:30. On Towson's opening drive of the third quarter, quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Peter Athens</a> was picked off on the second play of the opening drive by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/85395/kenny-tate">Kenny Tate</a>.</p>
<p>It only took Maryland 8 plays to go 45 yards and score a touchdown. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133991/justus-pickett">Justus Pickett</a> ran the ball from 5-yards out for the score to put Maryland up 14-3. Towson turned the ball over again on their next drive once again on the second play when quarterback Peter Athens was sacked and fumbled. Unfortunately for the Terps though, three plays later <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48292/davin-meggett">Davin Meggett</a> fumbled the ball and Towson recovered. Towson once again began a long time filled drive only to have quarterback Peter Athens turn it over for the third time in the quarter.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Towson Vs. Maryland game, visit this <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/28/2456951/towson-vs-maryland-football-uniforms">Storystream</a>. For more on the Terps, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com">Testudo Times</a></i></b></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462583/towson-vs-maryland-score-update-third-quarterAlfie Crow2011-10-01T17:02:07-04:002011-10-01T17:02:07-04:00Towson Vs. Maryland Score Update: Maryland Holds Tenuous 7-3 Lead At Half
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<p>As the second quarter started, the Towson Tigers marched right down the field on a 16-play, 66 yard drive that ended in a 23-yard field goal to put the score to 7-3, Maryland. Towson sent running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Dominique Booker</a> on five consecutive carries to try and punch the ball in the endzone, but he was stuffed five consecutive times by the Terps defense. The Tigers got the field goal and were able to milk 9:00 minutes off the clock in a single drive, however.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/maryland-terrapins">Maryland Terrapins</a> struggled to move the ball on their next possession, punting after just six plays to give the ball back to Towson. Once again, Towson began another long drive on the ground milking seconds off the clock rush after rush. Towson went on a 17-play drive that saw Maryland incapable of stopping the run, only to have Towson miss a 24-yard field goal as time expired to head into the half.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Towson Vs. Maryland game, visit this <a target="_blank" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/28/2456951/towson-vs-maryland-football-uniforms">Storystream</a>. For more on the Terps, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.testudotimes.com">Testudo Times</a></i></b></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462501/towson-vs-maryland-score-halftimeAlfie Crow2011-10-01T16:21:57-04:002011-10-01T16:21:57-04:00Towson Vs. Maryland Score Update: Terrapins Lead 7-0 After First Quarter
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<p>The Maryland Terrapins opened quickly, scoring on the Towson Tigers on their opening drive. The Terrapins marched down the field on the arm of quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75975/danny-o-brien" class="sbn-auto-link">Danny O'Brien</a>. After a 15-yard penalty by Towson, Maryland running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75981/d-j-adams" class="sbn-auto-link">D.J. Adams</a> scored on the next play, a 15-yard dash for a touchdown.</p>
<p>Maryland's next drive however didn't net results that you want to see when taking on the caliber of opponent as Towson. The Terrapins next drive stalled out and they sent out kick <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75990/nick-ferrara" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Ferrara</a> for a 43-yard field goal try only to have it blocked by Towson. After the block, Towson drove 33-yards on 7 plays and were setup with a 4th and 1 on the Maryland 37. Instead of trying for points with a field goal, the Tigers opted to go for it on 4th down only to lose yards and turn the ball over. Oddly enough, on the very next drive Maryland went for it on 4th and 2 and failed.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Towson Vs. Maryland game, visit this <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/28/2456951/towson-vs-maryland-football-uniforms" target="_blank">Storystream</a>. For more on the Terps, visit <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com" target="_blank">Testudo Times</a></i></b></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462282/towson-vs-maryland-score-update-ncaa-footballAlfie Crow2011-10-01T14:09:15-04:002011-10-01T14:09:15-04:00Maryland Fans Obviously Still Smarting After Ugly Temple Defeat
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<p>Otherwise, there is really no way to explain why a large chunk of Terrapins faithful would be predicting the Terps struggle, or worse yet outright lose, against Towson today in College Park. Sure, Towson is 3-0 to start the year but they are a 1-AA, sorry FCS, school and Maryland should win this game handily.</p>
<p>You might be asking where the heck I am getting this notion that Terps fans are down on the team. Well, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/terrapins-insider/post/maryland-towson-official-prediction-thread/2011/09/30/gIQAyL0x9K_blog.html">Eric Prisbell of the Washington Post's Terrapins Insider</a> included a poll in his Maryland versus Towson prediction thread, and the current results are after the jump:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/732844/terps.JPG"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/732844/terps_medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Terps_medium"></a> <br id="1317491300657"></p>
<p>Sure, only 299 votes have been cast when I garbbed this screencap, but I'm still very surprised to see almost 40 percent of votes picking Towson to win. Randy Edsall, you have a bitter fanbase on the verge of mutiny. I strongly urge you to run the Tigers right out of the building, preferably in the first half. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/10/1/2462217/maryland-fans-obviously-still-smarting-after-ugly-temple-defeatT.J. Doyle2011-09-29T23:23:35-04:002011-09-29T23:23:35-04:00College Football Odds, Towson Vs. Maryland: Terps 25 1/2 Point Favorites Against FCS Towson
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<p>Licking their wounds from a shocking 31 point loss to Temple, the Maryland football team has as good an opportunity as they'll have all season to end a losing streak. The Towson Tigers make the short drive down to College Park on Saturday for what is likely the biggest game in their program's history. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/odds" target="_blank">As of Thursday evening, the Terrapins were favored by 25 1/2</a> points over the Tigers.</p>
<p>That's certainly on the low end for a spread between a major BCS school and an FCS school that's still in the process of building a program in the NCAA's second-tier division. After losing by 31 last week in a game in which they were favored by 10, it's certainly understandable that the oddsmakers are hesitant to set a wide spread, even if it's a glaring mismatch of talent and resources. The over/under is set at 55 1/2. With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5036/ronnie-tyler">Ronnie Tyler</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5117/quintin-mccree">Quintin McCree</a> back this week, Terps fans are looking for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75975/danny-o-brien">Danny O'Brien</a> to light it up against the cupcake opponent, and surpass that over/under with little contribution from the Tigers offense.</p>
<p>Kickoff is set for 3:30 as the Terps look to end their two game losing streak and get back to .500.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/maryland-terrapins/2011/9/29/2459344/ncaa-football-odds-towson-marylandBrendan Porath