University of Maryland Football

Terrapin Sports

On Saturday, the Terps were shut out by Virginia, 16-0. The Terrapins gained only seven first downs, failed to gain a half-yard on consecutive plays "to squander their best scoring opportunity and were shut out for the first time in 35 games." Maryland must win its last two games, against No. 18 Virginia Tech and against Wake Forest, to qualify for a bowl game.

Maryland ranks 15th among the ACC teams for basketball. Maryland basketball discussions with Prisbell will start at the end of November.

Post staff writer Eric Prisbell, who covers Maryland sports, was online Thursday, Nov. 11, at Noon ET to take your questions and comments.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Eric Prisbell: Welcome back, everyone. I can tell from talking to fans that a lot of people are getting ready for basketball season. But there are two more games to play for Maryland and the Terps still have a slim chance at a bowl berth. Ok, let's get started.

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Hagerstown Md.: I was going to ask the question last week, after an emotional victory at home against Florida State, is there reason to worry about a let down on the road against Virginia. But I thought about it and thought that there was no way Fridge and the coaching staff would allow that to happen. After all it was a rivary game, on the road, with bowl hopes on the line...I was wrong. My question is, why is the coaching staff having a hard time getting through to this team? - Tim

Eric Prisbell: Short answer: I don't know. They don't know.

Longer answer: I was really surprised at how emotionally flat some Maryland players were to play their biggest rival of the year. I mean, players were trash talking all week so how could you not get motivated for the game? But Ralph said he saw "blank stares" from players, which is more disturbing and alarming than the offensive futility that the team showed in the middle of the season.

Now, honestly, I wonder how motivated players will be for the Wake Forest game if a bowl berth if out of the question by then. And Wake Forest could be playing for a bowl game.

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Rockville, Md.: What has the Maryland offense been working on in practice to be successful against the Virginia Tech defense?

Eric Prisbell: Good question. Maryland will practice for the first time this week tonight, so I'll have an update tomorrow. Injuries remain a huge concern. Ralph said his team would have trouble fielding a team if it had to play this weekend. That's a problem. Virginia Tech is playing for a chance at the ACC title, so this game will be a tough one, to say the least. Maryland's defensive line must play better as well.

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Owings, Md.: Eric,
Why didn't Chris Kelly get a shot at QB this year? If he's healthy enough for DB why not put him in at his recruited spot?
Joe

Eric Prisbell: Well, I think if you really watch Kelley on the field it's clear that his temperament is better suited for the defensive side. The guy is so emotional and aggressive at all times. Maybe that's what the offense needs behind center a little bit. The staff has given Statham a lot of chances to keep improving because he has shown progress in practice and because, every once in a while, he shows a glimmer of something in games. It's pretty clear now, though: It's not all Statham. I thought Maryland would go 7-4 this season. Another reporter I know picked 9-2. We were both wrong.

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Sterling, Va: Will Ike Whitaker committ to MD? It says on the mess board that he is ready to committ.

Eric Prisbell: I think there is a pretty good chance Whitaker could come to Maryland. I do not know how the recent struggles will impact his decision. Ralph did say that pretty much every position is open to competition next year, so that's good news for incoming recruits.

In general, message boards aren't very reliable. I saw a message board say that Sam Maldonado had been suspended, then I read it in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. An out-of-state radio show had me on yesterday to talk about his so-called suspension, which they learned about from the Plain Dealer. Then I read a correction in the Plain Dealer. Problem was, Maldonado was never suspended.

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washingtonpost.com: Thanks for pointing out the correction folks. We've corrected the paragraph. Also, Prisbell by the end of the month, the chats will roll over to Maryland basketball. Thanks for your patience.

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Blacksburg, Va.: There's always basketball, right? Do the Terps stand a chance against the Hokies at Lane on a Thursday?

Eric Prisbell: Yes, there is always basketball, except, well, in Blacksburg. I'm kidding. I like Seth Greenberg a lot, but the ACC is the best conference this season that I have ever seen. And a guy named Gary Williams agrees with me.

I think Maryland has roughly the same chance as it did against FSU, and we know how that turned out. Well, Maryland probably has less of a chance because I expect Tech to be very focused. Ok, I'd be very surprised if Maryland won the game, borderline shocked.

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Blacksburg, Va: What's the QB situation look like for Maryland? I've read a couple things saying Steffy might get the start.. Lane Stadium at night will definitely be hard on a young QB.

Eric Prisbell: I expect Statham to start, as he has all season. Maryland still has a chance for a bowl berth and Statham played very well against Florida State a couple weeks ago. From what I have seen, there still is a clear gap between Statham and Steffy, primarily because of experience. That said, I'll find out tonight, so check the paper or Web site or daily newsletter tomorrow. Sign up for the daily newsletter if you'd like extra ACC football/basketball info that I can't squeeze into the daily paper because of space. It's free and you can sign up online.

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Christiansburg, Va.: I feel that Fridgen has done a very mediocre job of coaching the 2004 version of the Terps. I know that he has practically reached a god-like status, but can be put some of the blame on his inability to develop anything that resembles an offense? This team doesn't seem to be playing with any fire in their belly. What are your feelings?

Eric Prisbell: Nice insight. I can't say I disagree with much of what you are saying. The two things that have surprised me this season have been the offensive futility in two games and how flat Maryland was against a rival.

I noticed five players on defense playing very hard - Merriman, Jackson, Kelley, Foxworth and Henry Scott. On offense, it's less clear and that's where the biggest problems are.

That said, the ACC is tougher but Maryland has not played three of the tougher teams in the league - Miami and UNC, which they don't play this season, and Virginia Tech, which they play next Thursday night.

Maryland could have lost the Northern Illinois game.

Maryland could have easily won the WVU game.

Maryland could have easily won the Clemson game, but I didn't think either team deserved to win that game. And now look at Clemson.

Back to your point, yes, I think Ralph deserves and accepts some of the blame.

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Cloverly, Md.: Your statement at the top of the discussion that Maryland and Virginia are now tied at the top of the ACC is pretty good wishful thinking. It's Virginia Tech, Maryland's next opponent, who's up there with Virginia. I think Virginia Tech's "underdog" status coming into the season, with lots of talking heads predicting a down season for them, as really been a boon to the program. No one really took the time to look at the recruiting classes they've been bringing in and the play of Brian Randall. They just piled on, and dissed their membership into the ACC.
Much like Maryland a couple of years back they've really put conventional wisdom on its head when you try to figure out who'll win the ACC and get the BCS bid this year.

washingtonpost.com: The first graph has been corrected and updated with links to a more recent article. Also, here is the latest article by Prisbell: ACC Unveils '05 Football Schedule (Post, Nov. 11)

Eric Prisbell: Good catch on the top of the discussion. I think that was automatically generated based upon Maryland's past success. Trust me, I see this team every day: There's not a chance Maryland is one of the best teams in the ACC. They are far from it and might wind up being the second-worst team in the conference by season's end. Wouldn't that be surprising?

Good points about Virginia Tech. I agree with you.

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Washington, D.C.: Eric, I have a question regarding Virginia's football atmosphere. Friedgen almost childishly pointed out that the crowd noise was not a factor there - and that Charlottesville is the only place where the crowd is not a factor. Nice dig. But I'm wondering what you thought - having seen a 50,000 seat stadium empty out in the third quarter of a 7-point Terps game, versus a record crowd at Scott Stadium who may have been louder if not for a dismantling of an inferior team that was, quite frankly, kind of boring.

Eric Prisbell: The press box is out in the open at Scott Stadium, so it was a little cold and loud. Good atmosphere, I thought. I didn't think the crowd noise played a factor, though, because Virginia beat up Maryland on both sides of the ball and many Maryland players acted like they would have rather been somewhere else. I'd say NC State has a crazier atmosphere, though, but Virginia's was pretty good.

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New York, NY: Hi. Next year will be another tough year schedule wise for the Terps; all the ACC games, plus WVU and Navy, any word on who else they may play on the non conference part of the schedule?

Eric Prisbell: Maryland's nonconference schedule next season includes a home game against WVU, a game against Navy in Baltimore and a road game at Temple.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Afternoon Eric,
Wanted to ask why Maryland doesn't use more running backs to take some pressure off Statham? I do understand this is a very young team and the o-line is having their problems as is other area's of the offense, but other top programs in the country who have concerns at Quarterback are running the ball more, using two an three backs. Maryland has recruited some good players at running back, we should be playing all those guys. I have only seen two backs all season, good games or bad. What's up with that? GO TERPS. P.S. When recruiting look for one thing SPEED,SPEED an more SPEED.

Eric Prisbell: Good afternoon. Maryland would love to lean more heavily on Allen or Maldonado, but they haven't been effective much either at times. Keon Lattimore might very well be the future, but he's very young. Statham's run off the option play has been somewhat effective when he hasn't fumbled it.

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Philadelphia, Pa: How is Friedgen doing with his weight loss? For a while, I thought he was losing weight, but he appears as rotund as ever.

Eric Prisbell: To be honest, I haven't looked at his stomach much, but I take your word for it. And to be very honest, the season is tough on everyone in that regard. I usually put on five or 10 pounds during the season, but I'm doing better this year with a consistent exercise routine. Hopefully, Ralph can manage it and it won't become a problem.

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McLean, Va.: A word to Maryland fans: Be grateful for the last three seasons prior to this one. Have faith in the Fridge. It's a young team. He is here for life, Byrd Stadium is sold out every week, an expansion of the stadium is near, they get great local and Regional media coverage, and they are finally getting recruits they haven't gotten in the past. And they beat FLA State.

While I am not happy about losing three straight to NC State, GA Tech, and Clemson, I am excited for the future and feel great that we don't have to suffer through rebuilding. It's been a nice ride and I believe it will begin against next year as this team matures.

Just some friendly perspective.

Eric Prisbell: The team should hire you as a positive spinner. You got me believing this season has been a success … for one second.

The Florida State win was a landmark victory, as you said.

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Baltimore, Md.: With such an ugly loss to a border rival, how will this game effect recruiting for the terps?

Eric Prisbell: People I talk to in recruiting say one game won't change a person's mind regarding which school he will attend. But the Virginia-UM game was so decisive that I think UVA will use it to its advantage as much as possible.

Ralph, among other things, is concerned about reloading at wide receiver. He has some good commitments at the position but he is worried about some sticking with the Terps.

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Richmond, Va.: Why is there such a lack of fan support at UMD football games? It would seem that being at the center of a metropolitan area of several million in population, the Terps woud be able to draw big crowds. As it is, they have difficulty filling their relatively small stadium, even for "big" games.

Contrast this to Virginia Tech, which is several hours outside of any large population bases, yet they consistently fill a 65,000 seat stadium, as well as take THOUSANDS of fans to away games (see 90,000 plus attendance at Fedex Field for the VT vs. USC game, where it was estimated that about 80,000 of those were VT fans!)

Eric Prisbell: That's a good point.

Maryland fans sold out five of the first six home games this season based on past success and expectation. Fans have still come out in force, but they haven't always stayed throughout the bad home losses this season. What will be very telling is the Wake Forest game. It's on Thanksgiving weekend. We don't know yet if Maryland will still have a chance at a bowl berth. Will the fans show?

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Orlando, Fla.: Hello,
From what you've seen in practices and games and what you've heard from the coaches, which of this year's true freshmen have shown the most promise so far? Which do you think will make the biggest impact next year?
Thanks...

Eric Prisbell: Good question.
Scott Burley, Jason Goode, Erin Henderson, Keon Lattimore, Eric Lenz, Jordan Steffy, Chris Varner - I think those players will be impact players in the future, to name a few.

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Jacksonville, Fla.: Eric, from my perspective the wide recievers, backs and tight ends are as much responsible for the lack of an air attack as Joel. I don't see them going to the ball but just running their routes and waiting. There doesn't seem to be any chemistry there yet.

Additionally, Virginia's OL and DL were much bigger than ours. Does coach like the development of the lines? I know we have lost some to graduation, the NFL and new players are coming next season. Assessment please as this is the key to quarterback protection and run blocking.

It is an off year. We are rebuilding. One out of 4 is not bad. Ask Nebraska, Texas, OU and Ohio State. Terp program trend line is up.

Eric Prisbell: I agree. Others I have talked to said the receivers do not have a chemistry with the quarterback.

The offensive line has been so up and down this year because of injuries, youth and players underperforming. Plus, Maryland has played some very talented defensive lines. The defensive line has played well this season, I think, as you look at the defensive statistics. But Saturday was not a good day for the d-line because Virginia's offensive line was so dominant.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm curious as to Ralph's on motive when he says his team came out unmotivated and "flat." The guy as practically pleaded for anyone to take Maryland seriously as a rival since he took the job. He made Virginia his arch "rival." Afterward, he addresses his players psyche, as opposed to stating what has been clear all season and becamse even more clear against Virginia. The Terps talked their trash, lined up on Saturday, talked their trash, tried their hardest, and just were not good enough.

Eric Prisbell: Yeah, but I also think he is very honest and was very honest Saturday. It was clear that a lot of the players just weren't in it mentally for whatever reason.

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New York, N.Y.: Joel Statham needs to be replaced. He has proven over and over again that he can't make good decisions. Why is the fridge not giving other quarterbacks an opportunity to play that bad. Thanks

Eric Prisbell: Statham looked very good against FSU. Statham is still ahead of the other guys, which tells you as much about the other guys as it does about Statham.

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Greensboro, N.C.: Will Ralph's and Frank Beamer's friendship have any effect on the VT game?

Eric Prisbell: Ralph says Frank is probably his closest friend right now. It will be interesting to see what effect the friendship will have on the game. It will be the storyline of the week, for sure.

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TerpFanIn Oakton, Va: Looking at our Terps this season and some other teams, it appears to me the most important failed element has been the offensive line. I know the QB has been inconsistent and when he finally makes a good pass it is dropped. However, consistency with the line provides enough of a running game to keep defenses honest, an inexperienced QB has a little more time to make throws (and avoid bad ones) and inexperienced receivers have a little more time to complete their routes. This would have allowed the passing game to develop without so much pressure. In spite of the FSU game, the passing game is no better than it was in September.

Since our O line will lose 3 under-performing Seniors, how do our prospects look next year. Does it look our highly-touted freshmen lineman (Scott Burley, Jaime Thomas, et al) will make significant contributions next year. Who would you project as the starting 5 next year ? It's starting to look like next season may be a replay of this one.

Eric Prisbell: I forgot to mention Thomas as a young player with a good future, but he should be added to the list.

I can't predict the line right now for next season because Ralph has said that every position will be open. But I think the team will be better next season. The problem is, they don't play Duke and only one game (Temple) appears like a clear victory. The line must mature over the offseason, as must the quarterback.

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Washington, D.C.: Were you surprised by how easily UVa ran the ball against Maryland? It didn't seem like UVa was doing anything they hadn't done before, so it can't be that Maryland was surprised by the blocking schemes -- were the Terps just pushed around?

Eric Prisbell: They were being pushed around by a very impressive offensive line, the best Maryland has faced all season. Plus, Virginia's two running backs are very good. I remember covering Lundy when he was in 9th grade, and he was very good then. Most of the credit, though, should go to UVA's offensive line.

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Eric Prisbell: That's all we have time for today, everyone. Thanks for all the questions. It should be an interesting remainder of the season. And, if nothing else, basketball is around the corner. Take care. See you all next week.

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