Search for highlights of the Maryland-Miami game last night and you are more likely to find article after article and blog after blog not about the riveting finish, but about the surprising beginning. After appearing for warm-ups in one uniform, the whole team changed and came out for the game in special Maryland-flag-clad jerseys and helmets. But the fashion stir overshadowed what was an impressive and important win to start the Terps season.
The adrenaline of the costume change obviously spilled over into the first half, with the Terps jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead in first quarter before amassing 311 yards before halftime. By the end of the game, the offense racked up nearly 500 yards and had the defense to thank for two opportunistic turnovers for touchdowns.
Quarterback Danny O’Brien looked impressive with 348 passing yards, but Maryland had trouble in the red zone scoring only one touchdown and twice came away with nothing. Still the Terps were able to hang on to a 20-14 lead heading into the half, thanks to a fumble forced by Cameron Chism and returned for a touchdown by lumbering lineman Joe Vellano.
The second half was much more of back-and-forth affair. With the Terps up 23-21 in the fourth, Maryland looked to add to their lead, but kicker Nick Ferrara missed a 26-yarder. That opened the door for Miami who marched down the field for field goal of their own.
But with just over a minute left in the game, redemption for Ferrara, who nailed a 32-yard field goal to go ahead 26-24. And then the nail in the coffin; a pick-six for Cameron Chism with just 40 seconds left in the game to seal the deal 32-24.
"It was an unbelievable experience because we were under so much pressure with the new coaching staff and with Friedgen gone," Ferrara said. "It was amazing to see how we could come together as a unit and win."
And many are giving a lot of credit to head coach Randy Edsall, who has introduced a new attitude in the locker room in College Park.
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"It's not about what I did. It's what the kids did," Edsall said. "All I tried to do is come in and get them to believe that they could push themselves further than maybe they thought. They bought into the team concept."
The Terps also saw some impressive performances from receiver Kevin Dorsey who had 8 receptions for 124 yards and running back Davin Meggett who had 21 carries for 92 yards. Maryland will try to get a win against a top 25 team Sept. 17 against West Virginia. And presumably they will be wearing a new color combo.
