At first, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen was concerned about his team getting too high following the Terrapins’ best preseason ranking (15th) in 18 years. Now after a startling 0-2 start, he’s worried about them getting too low.
“Early, it was, ’Hey, Coach, we’re pretty good. We don’t have to do this. You’re working us too hard. We got 9,000 agents telling me how good I am,’” Friedgen said. “Now it’s a little different. Now maybe Coach is right. First I was telling them they’re not as good as they thought they were, and now I’ve got to tell them they’re better than what they think they are now. It’s two ends of a coin.”
Fortunately, the Terps have a “feel good” game tonight against The Citadel (1-1) at Byrd Stadium. The Division I-AA Bulldogs are perhaps the easiest opponent on Maryland’s schedule. Returning home before a capacity crowd after consecutive road games to open the season (for the first time in 21 years) should invigorate the Terps. If not, Maryland is in for a long season.
After all, this was supposed to be the climax of a three-year rise under Friedgen that already includes an ACC championship, an Orange Bowl appearance, a Peach Bowl victory and a 21-5 record. There was early talk of an undefeated season and a major bowl game.
None of the talk came from Friedgen, who seemed visibly concerned after a rash of early injuries. Players conceded they overlooked Northern Illinois before they were shocked 20-13 in overtime Aug.28. Then Florida State administered a 35-10 thumping last week after Maryland took an early 10-0 lead.
Now Friedgen is playing motivational music during practices and having pep talks with team leaders. The Terps need to regroup quickly to salvage the season.
“This team has a little more rabbit ears than other teams,” Friedgen said. “There’s been so much hype after the Peach Bowl that maybe there’s an expectation level we’re not used to. That’s where I think maybe the fear of failure comes in. We’re playing too cautious.
“We’re thinking about bad things instead of thinking about good things. We have to expect good things to happen. Right now, I think our confidence is a little bit down. You have to believe in yourself to be successful. We have to challenge people. We have to play to win, not play not to lose. That’s something we have to work through. The solution to the problem is in the room with us. … We need a win very bad right now.”
The Terps are looking for a spark. A 65-yard touchdown reception. A long punt return. A breakaway run. Once it clicks, the Terps believe the sputtering offense will roll like a machine.
“It’s all about us connecting,” receiver Rich Parson said. “Once we get one guy going, all the balls will start falling. I think we were a little bit overconfident in the beginning, but we know what we can do.”
Then again, knowing how good they can be after scoring a school record 451 points last year might be counterproductive. Offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe said too many players aren’t producing.
“That’s part of our problem — you got guys waiting around for someone else to make a play rather than causing it to happen,” he said. “We’re searching for an identity right now.”
Maryland is still battling injuries. Ryan Flynn, who has never played right guard, will start there because injuries have taken out three other guards. Running back Bruce Perry will miss his second game with a high ankle sprain. Quarterback Scott McBrien is still bothered by a strained groin. Friedgen has downsized his 600-page playbook after seeing his offense go 111 minutes without a touchdown.
The Terps can’t afford to overlook the smaller Bulldogs, though. Taaffe once coached The Citadel to victories over Division I-A programs like Arkansas, South Carolina and Navy. Given that Maryland has already lost as a favorite to Northern Illinois, the Terps won’t enter overconfident.
“They’re very capable of beating us,” Friedgen said. “When I talked to the team about this, I saw in their eyes that now they believe me. Hopefully, we’ll be hungry and not care who we play.”
Said McBrien: “Saturday should be a great day for us, [but] Citadel will come in here like it’s their Super Bowl.”
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