First Down: Friedgen’s worst Maryland teams

WEEKEND REWIND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Redskins hold off Rams — It may count as a win, but the Redskins shouldn’t feel too good about themselves after a 9-7 win against possibly the worst team in football. It’s a step up over last year’s shocking home loss to St. Louis, but the offense couldn’t muster a single touchdown against a defense that allowed 28 points to Seattle a week earlier. If not for a fumble deep in Redskins territory, Jim Zorn and company could have been looking at an 0-2 start and one angry fan base. Instead, the Redskins bring a 1-1 record into Detroit to face the lowly Lions. Here’s guessing nine points won’t cut it next week.

Maryland falls to Middle Tennessee… again — For the second straight year, the Terps lost to the Blue Raiders, this time at home. It’s not a good time to be coach Ralph Friedgen, who hasn’t reached double-digit wins since 2003. Byrd Stadium hasn’t been close to capacity in the first two home games, and several new luxury suites remain unsold. While it’s hard to envision Maryland football returning to the pre-Friedgen depths, it’s a legitimate question to wonder whether most of the program’s progress made since 2001 has been lost.

TWT FIVE RALPH FRIEDGEN’S WORST MARYLAND TEAMS

1. 2009 (1-2) — The loss to Middle Tennessee would have been more surprising had the Terps not needed overtime to beat James Madison a week before.

2. 2005 (5-6) — The second of Friedgen’s three teams below .500, the ‘05 squad went 1-4 at Byrd Stadium.

3. 2004 (5-6) — It’s hard to believe Maryland’s first win against Florida State came with Joel Statham at quarterback and after three straight losses.

4. 2007 (6-7) — One of the season’s few highlights came with an upset win over Matt Ryan and No. 8 Boston College. The Terps would go on to lose in the Emerald Bowl.

5. 2008 (8-5) — The Terps recovered from a loss to Middle Tennessee by upsetting California at home the next week and then winning at Clemson.

HE SAID WHAT?

“I’m not going to be worried about guys’ legs or what they feel like. They need to start worrying about how I feel.”

— Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen