Sam Hollenbach was 9-for-15 last weekend against William & Mary.
Questions or comments during the game? E-mail me at zuckermandbk@gmail.com.
4TH QUARTER
8:51 pm
Final at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium: Terps 24 Middle Tennessee 10. Thank you for joining us, and check The Diamondback on Monday for complete coverage of tonight’s game. Be sure to join us Thursday night when the Terps travel to West Virginia for a nationally-televised game.
8:49 pm
The Terps can pretty much run the clock out now as the Blue Raiders are out of timeouts. Barring a late touchdown, the game will end 24-10. Two 14-point victories against very subpar teams is going to raise a lot of eyebrows. Yes, a win is a win is a win, but this one was a little too close for comfort. Especially considering the first team did not leave the game like last week.
8:45 pm
On 4th and 5, with the game pretty much on the line, Middle Tennesee completes a pass for about 4 and a half yards. Terps take over on downs, as the ball is inches short. Phew, anyone?
8:43 pm
Marcus Wimbush is now in the game, replacing J.J. Justice.
8:42 pm
A late hit by David Holloway puts Middle Tennessee in Terp territory. Fans who left early may want to start coming back in. Literally half the stadium is empty and the Blue Raiders look like they’re going to score again. Under 5 minutes with the ball inside the red zone.
8:39 pm
Middle Tennessee just cost themselves a touchdown. J.J. Justice was beat by a good 10 steps, but the Blue Raiders receiver dropped the ball. I could have caught that one.
On the next play, Justice intercepts a pass, returns it 20 yards and fumbles. Middle Tennessee recovers with a first down at their own 41.
8:35 pm
On third and one, Friedgen calls a play to send Lattimore in motion, giving the Terps an empty backfield. Hollenbach rolls right and is tackled for a loss in the backfield. Middle Tennessee is about to regain possession down 24-10 with 7:40 remaining.
8:34 pm
I think most of Terp Nation expected a much better effort this week from Maryland. But it has been far from that. The Terps have not been crisp on defense, playing a bend but don’t break style. They haven’t stopped 3rd down conversions. The wide receivers have been unnoticable the enitre game. The running backs have had nowhere to go in the second half. And, to be honest, Friedgen’s playcalling has been a bit suspect.
I’d like to think he’d want to try some things out to see where this team’s at heading into next Thursday’s game at West Virginia. But we haven’t seen anything new. Then again, maybe he’s saving it for a later time.
8:26 pm
Ennis is costing me my 34-10 prediction. He just missed another field goal, this one from 43 yards out. This one didn’t have a chance from the minute it left his foot. Groans from what’s left of the student section, which is about 40 to 45 percent full right now. Might see Obi Egekeze on the next field goal attempt. Unacceptable misses from Ennis.
8:24 pm
After three quarters, Middle Tennessee has outgained the Terps in total offense 263-212. They are domianting time of possession 28+ minutes to 16+ minutes.
The Terps face a 2nd and 3 from the Blue Raider 22 yard line with 12:23 to play in the game
8:21 pm
Hollenbach throws deep for the first time all night, and it’s incomplete. Hollenbach has played a mistake-free game, albeit not a fantastic game. But it’s been mistake free, which is what the Terps need from him.
3RD QUARTER
8:15 pm
The third quarter ends with the Terps on their own 41 yard line. 24-10.
8:13 pm
Middle Tennessee RB Eugene Gross walks into the end zone on a misdirection fullback fake, halfback toss. 24-10 Terps with 1:01 left in the third. 17 plays, 80 yard drive that lasted 8:28.
We just received word that Wilson is suffering from leg cramps.
8:10 pm
Wilson is walking off the field on his own power.
8:09 pm
A Middle Tennessee screen pass goes for 23 yards on 3rd and 20 down to the Maryland 2 yard line. At least one missed tackle on the play and Josh Wilson is hurt in the end zone.
8:06 pm
Wesley Jefferson applies pressure on the QB, forcing him to throw it away once again. Jefferson has been a beast all night; without a doubt, the best player on defense for Maryland tonight. After calling timeout, Middle Tennessee is facing a 3rd and 20 with 2:49 left in the third quarter.
8:03 pm
Earlier this week, Friedgen said he wanted to see better tackling from the Terp defense. Probably not liking what he’s seeing out there.
On 4th and 2, Middle Tennessee converts the first down with a short 6-yard pass. The Blue Raiders are now inside the 20 and looking for their first TD of the game.
7:58 pm
On 3rd and 5, Middle Tennessee completes a 24-yard pass into Maryland territory for the first time this half.
7:53 pm
Ball scampers in from 2 yards out to give the Terps a 24-3 lead. It was a 2:18 drive that finished up in five plays. Looked a lot like the Terps’ opening drive of the game.
7:49 pm
After the defense forces a three-and-out (in which Middle Tennessee lost 11 yards on the drive), the Terps are set to take over in Blue Raider territory.
One thing we haven’t seen today is Hollenbach throwing deep.
7:45 pm
Hollenbach was 7-for-10 in the first half for 89 yards. He also had a rushing TD. Lattimore had 57 yards on 7 carries to lead Maryland. And Haynos 2 catches for 40 yards. The Blue Raiders had 131 passing yards and 43 rushing yards.
2ND QUARTER
7:22 pm
Halftime here at College Park. Terps lead 17-3. Not the most exciting first half.
7:21 pm
Ennis misses a 31-yard field goal leaving the score at 17-3. 1:03 left in the first half.
7:20 pm
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/09/07/450004c454de4 Figured I might as well get this link in before it’s too late. Florida State is losing at home to Troy 3-0 late in the first half.
7:17 pm
Hollenbach hits Haynos for 18 yards bringing back some Vernon Davis memories from the last couple of seasons. Vernon begins his pro career tomorrow against the Arizona Cardinals.
7:15 pm
Blue Raiders punter Colby Smith bothces a snap and the Terps take over on the Middle Tennessee 34.
7:13 pm
The Terps are all over Middle Tennessee QB Clint Marks. Whether it’s sacks or hits after he lets go of the ball, Maryland is nailing him.
7:08 pm
Another 3rd and long completion by Middle Tennessee. That’s the third time the Terps have given up a first down on third and at least 8.
7:05 pm
The student section gives a rousing rendition of Rock and Roll, Part II to the Blue Raiders. You stay classy, College Park!
7:04 pm
Hollenbach sneaks the ball into the end zone from about an inch out. On the previous play, it seemed like Lattimore had scored from 2 yards out, but the refs ruled him down and after review, replays were inconclusive. 17-3 Terps with 7:04 to play in the half.
6:58 pm
Dangerous lob pass by Hollenbach into double coverage. Lucky it wasn’t intercepted. On the sideline, Friedgen not happy with his quarterback.
Hollenbach makes up for it with a 3rd down completion to Danny Oquendo. Maryland is now inside the red zone.
6:54 pm
Lattimore breaks off another big run, this one 21 yards into Middle Tennessee territroy. Still haven’t seen Josh Allen in the game. He’s on the sidelines with his helmet on.
6:52 pm
The Terrapin defense is on its heels right now, and if not for a couple of dropped passes, Middle Tennessee might have been able to punch the ball into the end zone. Instead, they go for it on 4th and 10 from the Terp 33, and the defense sacks Blue Raiders QB Clint Marks. Terp ball.
6:46 pm
Lance Ball leads the Terps with 31 yards rushing on six carries. Hollenbach is 3-for-4 with 42 yards. TE Joey Haynos has one reception for 22 yards.
6:45 pm
After the Terps’ first scoring drive, it seemed like they could move the ball at will all night. But Middle Tennessee has tightened up, especially its run defense. Currently, the Blue Raiders are driving and are now into Maryland territory.
1ST QUARTER
6:40 pm
The Terps stall as the first quarter ends with Maryland leading 10-3. Stats coming shortly.
6:36 pm
Moses Fokou forces a Middle Tennessee fumble, giving the Terps great field position inside the Blue Raiders 40. It’s the first turnover of the year for the Terp defense.
6:34 pm
Some interesting developments in the ACC today. Akron went into Raleigh and knocked off N.C. State 20-17 on a 1-yard rushing TD as time expired. Wake Forest blocked a game-winning Duke field goal from about 30 yards out to win 14-13. Virginia is currently in overtime at home vs. Wyoming. The score: 6-6. And North Carolina was creamed by Va. Tech in Chapel Hill.
Earlier this week I wrote about how a weak ACC helps the Terps’ bowl chances, and what we saw today solidifies my point even more.
6:30 pm
Sorry for the delayed update. We experienced some brief technical difficulties. Each team has tacked on a field goal – Middle Tennessee from 42 yards, Maryland from 37 yards. It’s 10-3 Terps with 4:06 left in the first.
6:13 pm
Marcus Wimbush is NOT on the field to start the game on defense. Instead junior J.J. Justice is in his place. Wimbush is on the sidelines with his helmet off.
6:09 pm
Fueled by a 24-yard rush, the Terps moved at will on Middle Tennesse, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run by Lance Ball. All four plays on the drive lasting 2:17 were running plays. 7-0 Terps.
6:07 pm
Jared Gaither is starting at right tackle – his first action of the 2006 season. He was suspended last week for “disciplinary reasons.”
6:06 pm
Wilson returns the opening kickoff about 60 yards to the Blue Raiders’ 39 yard line. He was slowed down by the kicker and eventually brought down. Great start.
I’ll be watching to see if the Terps can limit the turnovers this week. Four against a team like William & Mary last week was unacceptable, and it won’t win you many games in the ACC.
6:05 pm
The Terps will receive the opening kickoff with Josh Wilson in position to return.
6:00 pm
Welcome to The Diamondback’s live coverage of Terp football. Maryland is set to take on Middle Tennessee from Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. We’re about five minutes from kickoff with the Terps about to take the field.
Despite reports that students were unable to finish their weekly tailgate at Comcast Center, they have still packed the stands. The student section is about 90% full.
It’s a beautiful night for football; very few clouds in the sky. Gametime temperature is 77 degrees with winds at 4 mph.
5:34 pm
Senior safety Marcus Wimbush is in uniform and practicing during pregame warmups. He did not practice Thursday because of a knee injury, according to coach Ralph Friedgen. Earlier in the week, misdemeanor charges against Wimbush were publicly revealed.
During warmups, Wimbush’s knee seemed fine and it did not seem to be bothering him.
Coincedentally enough, there is a pull-out poster of Wimbush in today’s game program.
Posted 3:00 pm
The Terps (1-0) and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-0) will square off tonight at 6:00 from Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
The Diamondback will have continuous live updates from the game. As the game progresses, feel free to e-mail me at zuckermandbk@gmail.com with questions.
Pregame Notes:
– The Terps lead the all-time series 1-0. The only time the two teams met was in 2000 when Lamont Jordan rushed for three touchdowns in a 45-27 win.
– Last week the Terps beat William & Mary 27-14; the Blue Raiders defeated Florida International 7-6. Florida International is the Terps’ next home opponent (Sep. 23).
– Sam Hollenbach did not throw an interception last week for only the fourth time in his career. The Terps, however, had four turnovers as a team.
