2006 NCST at MD
Game Recap
"You know it's great, to hate, NC. State"
By: Chris B.
What an opportunity for Rory to attend her first ever football game. Her Mom's Alma Mater (the hated Wolfies), and her Dad's school he attended for one semester ( I still blame that on having to room with BJ). Anywho, the poor kid was tricked out in MD gear, except for those horrible blemishes she had on her cute little cheeks. NCST temporary tats? Are you serious? She is going to have an identity crisis if we don't start flooding her with gifts from Testudo. Anyways, it will be a game she will always remember (thanks to this article). This game was huge for both schools. The pack had two impressive conference wins against BC, and FSU, but followed that up with a loss to Wake. A win against the Terps, and they were still in the hunt for the Atlantic. For the Terps, a chance to get to 2-1 in the conference, and one win shy of becoming bowl eligible. Now I know being bowl eligible is nothing to get super excited about, but after the days of our college years, and the last two seasons, a bowl game sounds pretty good to me. Not only that, this game has even more importance when you consider our next three games after this are against FSU, Clemson, and Miami. Even this year with the Noles and Canes down, this one may have been our best chance. The game starts and MD dominates, but is only able to muster up a 6-0 lead at the half thanks to two Dan Ennis FG's. The second half starts, and on the first play from scrimmage, T.A. McLendon, I mean Andre Brown fumbled and MD recovered, eventually scoring on a 5 YD TD pass to Josh Allen. On State's next possession, Erin Henderson picked off another pass, and this time MD converted it into another TD after a 2 YD TD by Lance Ball. 20-0 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd. Things are looking good, and we are totally dominating. The defense was swarming, pressuring Daniel Evans, and keeping the running game in check, . . . to this point. State then scored on a nice 80 yd drive, but we blocked the XP. Ennis then hit a 40 YD FG. 23-6. Then it really got eerie. Blackman returned a punt for a TD to cut it to 23-13. On the Terps next drive Ennis kicked his 4th FG. 26-13. Then NCST scored another TD, and it was on sides kick time with the score at 26-20. I could see it all disappearing before our eyes. They had fought to hard, and played to well to let this one slip away. Well on the onsides kick, Danny Oquendo recovered the kick and MD was able to run out the clock, barely. A huge win for the Terps, in one of those "fork in the road" games. Lets hope the path down this fork goes on for a long time.
Game MVP:
This was a really tough one for me. Wesley Jefferson had 13 more tackles. Erin Henderson added 10 more plus his second pick in as many weeks. But, I really think I am going to have to go with Dan Ennis for this one. 4-4 with a long of 40, and two XP's. Congrats Dan.
Around the ACC
UVA 23 UNC 0: This was the game that was the official end to the Bunning era at UNC. Jason Snelling had a big day running and Jammell Sewell had a big day in leading the hoos.
Miami 20 Duke 15: I don't care if they had 12 guys suspended, to give up a 17-0 halftime lead, is horrible against Dook. They should be able to beat them with their 3rd string alone.
BC 24 FSU 19: Only 5 carries? That's right FSU called only 5 running plays to their RB's. That's right 5 running plays. 48 passing attempts. (That scares me a bit). 13 Weatherford runs. Anywho BC had a 24-10 lead before hanging on til the bitter end.
VT 36 Southern Miss 6: Brandon Ore rushed for 200+ and 2 TD's in this non conference game.
Clemson 31 GT 7: In a game that didn't quite live up to the Hype, James Davis and CJ Spiller did. The duo combined for 332 rushing yards. Yikes. Spiller also had an amazing 50 yard receiving TD.
Random Thoughts: Since I didn't see much of the other action around the country or the ACC for that matter, I have one random thought. How does Calvin Johnson not get a single catch. Even Sam Hollenbach could get the ball to VD!
Here is something to monitor for the rest of the season. E and I have a bet that MD won't win another game the rest of the season for a pair of Sox tickets when they come to Boston next summer. In past seasons it may not have been a bad bet for E, but I feel confident they can win at least one against FSU or Miami not to mention her alma mater Wake!