KEY TO THE GAME

The Terp defense allowed Middle Tennessee to gain 321 total yards and convert key third-down conversions. But they held Middle Tennessee to 10 points with what Dre Moore called “bend-but-not-break” play. QB Clint Marks’ numbers looked good, and the defensive statistics for the Terps looked bad, but the 10 on the scoreboard is what matters.

WHEN IT WAS OVER

With Middle Tennessee deep in Terp territory with less than six minutes left, it looked as if the Blue Raiders would cut the 14-point deficit in half. But the Terps stood their ground at the 10-yard line, forced a turnover on downs, and the offense ran out the clock.

TERP HIGHLIGHT

Senior cornerback Josh Wilson returned the game’s opening kickoff 61 yards to the Blue Raider 39-yard line, setting up his team’s opening drive. The Terps scored less than three minutes later on a Lance Ball touchdown run.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Ball rumbled 12 yards for the Terps’ first touchdown. Ball’s quick strike came after Josh Wilson’s 61-yard kickoff return and Keon Lattimore’s 24-yard run. The combination of plays allowed the Terps to seize the momentum.

STAR OF THE GAME

Even though Hollenbach only threw the ball 16 times, he made the most of his opportunities, completing 11 of those passes. Even better than his percentage, Hollenbach didn’t commit a turnover for the fifth time in his career, and plunged over the goal line on a QB sneak for his first TD of the season.

KEY QUOTE

“”We definitely need to be sharper. We need to focus on [making] less mental errors. Physically we can play with West Virginia. We just can’t make any mistakes against a team like that cause if you make a mistake, they’re gonna turn it into some points.”

-J.J. Justice

WHAT THIS GAME MEANS

Terp players are saying coach Ralph Friedgen has been holding something back from the offense. If that is true, the Terps’ win over Middle Tennessee is just another win. If not, players on the defensive end know they have to play much better than they did to prevent a Morgantown massacre.

TEAM STATS

 MTNTERPS

FIRST DOWNS21   16

RUSHING    7    8

PASSING     138

PENALTY10

NET RUSHING105135

ATTEMPTS3334

AVG. RUSH3.24.0

PASSING

ATTEMPTS4116

COMPLETE2211

AVG. COMP.9.812.6

3RD DOWNS9-163-8

4TH DOWNS1-40-0

SACKS-YDS2-83-11

INTS01

FUMBLES2  1