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Sept. 28, 2005
University of Virginia head football coach Al Groh explained in detail how impressed he is with Maryland’s “ball movement” talent. Speaking at his weekly press conference he outlined the positions that will gain a lot of UVA’s attention during preparations this week.
“They have the leading punter in the league. A field goal kicker who has not missed, one of the top three quarterbacks in the ACC, and the number one tackler,” Groh said. “Maryland is very good.”
Due to what Groh terms “competitive maturity” Saturday’s game could be close and dramatic. Last year UVA shut out the Terps 16-0, a K-O that spanned 35 games since their last outing without points. (Notre Dame blanked Maryland 22-0 in the first game of the 2002 season) Two years ago in ’03, on one of the coldest, windiest nights ever experienced by this broadcaster, Maryland got the better of the `Hoos 27-17.
“The first year we played the teams were not well matched,” Groh said. “They are more even now. The games, the series, the rivalries, I think a lot of that stuff is for the fans. Players and coaches are just trying to win.”
“Each week is it’s own game. If you do a good job preparing for issues you will win,” Groh said.
Maryland has been an interesting study this year. The Terrapins scored with 61 seconds to play against Navy to eke out a 23-20 win in Baltimore. They lost to Clemson and West Virginia at home…and beat Wake Forest on the road22-12. The Demon Deacons entered last week’s game averaging over 270 yards per game rushing, and only posted 111 yards in 39 attempts against the Terps. Maryland recovered two fumbles and held Wake to 5 of 19 on third downs.
” I think Maryland made a firm commitment to getting better on defense and it looks like they have,” Groh said.
“D’Qwell Jackson is a true middle linebacker in their system. In a 4-3 scheme, he has the opportunity to make a lot of tackles and he does. He has power, quickness, and is very aggressive.”
In Ralph Friedgen’s first four years in College Park he set an ACC record for number of wins with 36. However, following the stellar 2003 campaign that saw the Terps go 10-3 and rip West Virginia in the Gator Bowl, Maryland saw red in 2004 with a 5-6 ledger. They lost five of their last seven and only scored 19 points in the last three games. It was the first losing season since 2000 under Ron Vanderlinden…also a 5-6 year.
“Sometime early season schedules can make a difference in your season,” Groh said. “This will be the most physically talented team we have played so far.”
“I think we’ve got to continue to get better fundamentally,” Friedgen told the media Sunday. “Our run blocking showed improvement at times, but at other times it’s not what I thought it would be at this point in the season.”
“Defensively, against Wake was the best we have played all year.”
“I don’t think we have played our best football yet and maybe I will find out more this week against Virginia. Anything can happen in this league,” Friedgen said.
For the Cavaliers, Maryland proves to be a steppingstone after winning the first three games. It’s also the first of a four game stretch that features some of the best players in the ACC. Groh does feel his team was thrown into the college football road frenzy against Syracuse.
“I really got the sense our team was very pleased with what they accomplished up there. I think it will help us with road games like this.”
GAME NOTABLES:
Under Al Groh, Virginia is 2-2 in ACC road openers…19-32 overall. Dating back to last year, Virginia has won four in a row on the road against unranked teams. It’s the longest winning streak against unranked teams since a 9 game run from 1988-90.
Defense wins…UVA has managed to win 11 of the last 13 games in the series holding the Terp offense in check. Since 1988, the Cavs have held Maryland to less that 380 yards of offense13 times…and have won 12 of those games.
This is the first time since 1973 that Virginia has been Maryland’s homecoming opponent. The Terps are 3-2-1 lifetime against the `Hoos on homecoming Saturday.
Watch the clock…last year in UVA’s 16-0 win the Cavaliers held a 17-minute advantage in possession time. (38:41 to 21:19).
How young? Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has discussed the youth of his team several times. Of their top 22 on defense, the Terrapins boast only 4 seniors. There are 5 redshirt frosh, and three true freshman. Comparatively, Virginia has 6 redshirt and true freshman listed of their top 22.
Six ACC teams remain in the top 25 polls.
Enjoy College Park.