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MD at Georgia Tech 2006

By Chris B.

Well I'm not sure how this will come out.  I am kind of in disbelief, yet, did we really expect to win this game?  It is merely minutes after the game went final, and I still feel like we gave this one away.  We did so many thing right, yet the simplest of plays are what cost us.  That fumbled exchange between Ball and Hollenbach was the game changer.  GT marched down the field easily on their first possession and Calvin Johnson led the charge and caught the TD pass.  No surprise there.  The real shocker came when Josh Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 104 yards for a TD, when I was in fact yelling at him for running it out!  (Shows you what I know).  MD goes on to take the lead and in fact outscores Tech by 3 each quarter to lead the game 23-14 going into the 4th quarter (I'll give Audrey a whole Quar-tar if she rubs my feet as well).  We made the plays on defense, took advantage of turnovers.  We did all that we should have done given the situation, yet I still didn't feel like it was ever in the bag.  Then the unimaginable happens.  GT scores on a drive, no problem, they overpowered the line, and scored. We then receive the kickoff, and fumble an exchange between Hollenbach and Ball. GT scores again, and the Terps are down 4.  We make a few plays and are forced to go for it on 4th and 2 from about the GT 45.  On 4th and 2, Hollenbach then throws a pickle, and it is GT's ball with the clock in their favor.  They drive down the field.  We force them to kick a field goal, and it hits the top of the upright.  I am going nuts, all of the sudden there is a feel of hope in my gut. We are down 4, with a little over two to go.  A first down, and a nice pass to Heyward-Bey who made a great move and ran the ball to the  8 after a 56 yard gain, and next thing you know, we all think we can do it.  Over a minute to go, and we have a chance.  First down, a run by Ball for 3.  Second down and goal from the 5.  Ball for no gain.  On the next play we get called for an intentional grounding, after a loss of 9, plus the 5 yard Penalty.  The play was questionable, it could have been ruled a sack, and it would have been 4th and goal from the 14.  None the less it was 4th and goal from the 19.  Still there was a chance and I didn't give up hope, even though it was a long shot.  Hollenbach drops back, and it was a sack.  Game, set, match.  GT wins with a big come back.  To me it was the fumble that cost the Terps the game in my opinion.  I really hope this one doesn't cost us down the road like Clemson did last year.  All of the sudden, NCST, looks much better after back to back wins against ranked teams in BC and FSU.  Some games that looked like we should walk away easily from now are tougher.  As I was talking to Bob during the final drive, I really think we played up to our ability for the first time this season, yet we lost.  Not that there is any shame in losing on the road to a team ranked #18, but we had them.  A time consuming drive that maybe with a fg, and it is a certain win. However, we fumbled and that seemed to be it.  Give the offense credit for getting the ball down field.  Give Hey-Bey credit for making a great play and giving us a chance, but had Hollenbach made some throws earlier in the game, this one could have been out of reach.  Sam under through a couple of passes, one to Heyward-Bey that would have been a sure TD.  Our receivers are getting open, and we can't hit them on the deep ball.  Sam played well, but we could have used any one of those deep passes that he either threw out of bounds, or under threw.  It was tough to watch.  MD had it, and just couldn't grab it.  During the game JF and I were texting back and forth, and I was afraid to send him the factoid they were showing on ESPN U.  Fridge was 38-4 when leading at half time.  I should have known when they showed it, it was going to be a big fat L.  What is there to take from this?  We played well in a game we didn't expect to win, yet it was there for the taking.  We are 3-2 going to Wahoopieville, a game that should be a must win!  However, keep in mind, under the Friedgen, and Groh era, the home team has won.  Lets hope we can reverse the trend here.

FYI:  I am going to give Josh Wilson the MVP for the kickoff.  As I said earlier, I was bitter he was running it out.  That kick return quieted the crowd, and allowed us to stay in the game early after GT had a dominating opening drive.

Around the ACC:

NC St 24 FSU 20:  For the second straight week the Wolfies were led by Daniel Evans late heroics to give the Pack the win at home against a ranked opponent.  I don't understand this conference. Three weeks ago NCST was left for the dead, they make a change at QB, and all of a sudden they have knocked off two ranked teams in exciting come from behind fashion.  FYI FSU is beatable for us!

Miami 27 UNC 7:  In a lack luster atmosphere the canes win a sleeper against the lowly heels.  They may be as bad as Dook.  Can't wait for that one.

Clemson 27 Wake 17:  This one was a lot like our beloved Terps game.  Wake had a lead, behind some steady play.  Then all of the sudden the wheels fell off the bus and Clemson came roaring back behind a 72 yard TD run by C.J. Spiller, and recovered fumble on a bothced FG attempt to erase a 14 point 4th quarter lead. Another injury to a Clemson wide out, yet they continue to win.  As long as James Davis stays healthy they will be a threat for the crown.

East Carolina 31 UVA 21:  Next week is a must win, enough said.

Alabama 30 Dook 14:  This one looks a little better then it probably was.  Dook looks to bounce back against FSU and Miami in their next two.  Ouch.