Maryland's Danny O'Brien (5) looks to pass against N.C. State. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – On a cold, windy evening, Maryland redshirt quarterback Danny O’Brien and junior wide receiver Torrey Smith picked apart N.C. State’s defense and ended the Wolfpack’s hopes of playing in the ACC championship game.
O’Brien passed for 417 yards and five touchdowns, and Smith caught 14 passes for 224 yards with a school-record four touchdown receptions as the Terrapins defeated No. 21-ranked N.C. State 38-31 at Byrd Stadium.
N.C. State (8-4, 5-3 ACC) needed to win to secure a spot in the ACC championship game, and raced out to a 14-0, first-quarter lead with the wind at its back in the first quarter.
But Maryland scored 38 of the next 41 points, and the Wolfpack offense struggled after rumbling to touchdowns on its first two drives. Trailing 38-17, N.C. State scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes with an onside kick sandwiched in between, as Russell Wilson plunged over from 1 yard out and hit James Washington with a 3-yard pass. But on fourth-and-1 with 48 seconds left, D.J. Adams picked up the first down by the length of one chain link, clinching the win.
Dropped passes caused much of the damage to N.C. State.
Late in the second quarter, Wilson found Owen Spencer wide open behind the Maryland defense at the 3-yard line, but Spencer couldn’t haul in the pass. N.C. State had to settle for a 38-yard field goal attempt by Josh Czajkowski that was blocked.
The Terrapins then rushed into position for a career-long, 52-yard field goal by Travis Baltz 12 seconds before halftime that gave them the lead for good at 17-14.
In the third quarter, a misdirection play left tight end George Bryan wide open for a score. Wilson threw behind Bryan, who bobbled the ball twice before losing it off his facemask.
Meanwhile, O’Brien and Smith were staging their own highlight video for the Terrapins. Maryland’s offensive line did a good job protecting O’Brien from a blitzing defense that had sacked North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates seven times the previous week. O’Brien found Smith for scoring passes of 11, 10, 12 and 71 yards.
As a result of N.C. State’s loss, the Wolfpack tied Maryland for second place in the ACC Atlantic Division. Florida State, which is 6-2 in ACC play, won the division outright and will meet Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game on Saturday in Charlotte. N.C. State had held the tiebreaker advantage over Florida State.
N.C. State won the opening coin toss, chose to defer to the second half and opened with the wind at its back, with excellent results.
J.R. Sweezy’s third-and-1 tackle behind the line of scrimmage got the Wolfpack the ball quickly, and N.C. State drove 70 yards for a touchdown on a 1-yard, Russell Wilson plunge.
A Maryland pass on fourth-and-5 from the Wolfpack 34 was ruled incomplete, and Wilson again drove N.C. State quickly down the field. He hit Owen Spencer for 18 yards on third-and-13, and later passed 15 yards to Spencer for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
But the Wolfpack didn’t score a touchdown again until just 2 minutes, 39 seconds remained.
Comments
not the referee's fault
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 11:29 — steve4720I officiated ballgames for 30 years and never did I determine the outcome of a game. The 1st down call was bad, but it did not determine the game.
A game is a series of calls and plays. You might say that if the ref's call was not a first down then The Pack would have a chance to win. Then also say if the 2 Pack receivers had caught their respective passes, the Pack would not have been in this posistion.
I am an UNC alum, but I respect what the Pack did this year. As always you only control what you can, the rest is left up to somebody else.
Refs
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 13:02 — YAR8packBLUE WHISTLES!!! ;-)
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
Just reading the article.
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 23:14 — unc098Just reading the article. Even though the Pack sacked TJ 7 times he still threw for 411 yards. The middle and corner coverage for the Pack was not good and Maryland took advantage of it. I know this game is a huge disappointment but the Pack has an opportunity for a 9 win season and a good send off for Wilson.
Frustrating end...
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 22:02 — JPDOhioto an otherwise great 4-day holiday weekend. Here goes:
Despite all that, it still was a good year, with another game to play and, more importantly, more practices to get better. This is a team with a future. The O-line is young and will get better, so I think the running game will improve. Mike Glennon may not be Russell Wilson, but I believe he will be fine. I am more worried about losing Nate than I am Russell. And I do believe Russell is gone.
Hope everyone had a great a Thanksgiving as we did up here.
Good year
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 12:30 — SurferIt was a good year for NCSU; TOB's first winning season at State, so everybody sees that as a plus. The Pack I guess could have been anywhere from 6-6 to 10-2, so 8-4 is not too bad. I have heard some say that Glennon is better than RW? But, I kind of find that hard to believe, at least at this point. Nate will definitely leave a whole in the D.
Merry Christmas
8-4
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 14:41 — JPDOhioAbout right for this team. The N&O article today or yesterday focused on missed opportunities. True enough, but State had enough things go their way that the good fortune and the misfortunes cancelled themselves out.
Regarding Glennon, it remains to be seen how he will do with regular playing time. This is going to sound nuts, but I think it is time for RW to move on and hand the reins over to Mike. With a developing O-line and Mustafa as lead running back, Glennon should be fine. He obviously can't run like Russell, but he may be more accurate with his throws and won't get as many knocked down at the line. Not sure how he reacts to being on the sideline another year, but could be a source of tension.
IMHO, the only reason RW comes back is if he thinks he needs to do more to prove he can play in the NFL. He has stated in several interviews that he wants to play in both the NFL and MLB. I think that is crazy talk, but he so far has accomplished everything he set out to do, so who am I to say? He has done all he to make his case, so he might as well go for it now.
I'll hold off on returning the Xmas greetings. It's too early, though, thanks to my daughter, my Xmas shopping is almost done. Who needs the internet to shop when you have a good daughter?
Phew
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 00:04 — unc098Had to endure our own version of nail biting at Duke. Aaron and I had a great time at Wallace Wade despite taunts of "cheaters" all through the afternoon. I finally turned around to my protagonist behind me and said " I feel you pain , like the time your 30+ MBA students were caught cheating on their tests". The dude left and didn't show up for the second half. Typical Unc/Duke game.
As for the Pack. OMG.We just watched as the score got worse on the board. Had no idea what was happening and only caught the very end of the game via Iron Duke big screen in the parking lot outside of Wallace Wade. I am very disappointed for the Pack, and for Wilson.
Congats to Wilson and the Pack for a great season and good luck in whatever bowl is presented to you.
On any other satuday
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 10:46 — gvillegatrI bet there would be more folks out watching the big screen than whoever DUIke is playing!
Happy Thanksgiving, JPD
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 22:28 — Heels20And I agree with you that the loss of Nate is probably more to worry about than the loss of RW, but there is still a game to be played before then. RW has thrived in games where he has nothing to lose, and I expect him to have a career day in whatever bowl the Wolfpack goes to.
It's tough to say whether next year will be much better or much worse for the Pack. One word we can all agree on is "different." The O-line will be more experienced and I think Mustafa will be a special player. I'm still not a big fan of Glennon, especially with Williams, Spencer and Davis all leaving. We'll see. I don't foresee a crash and burn, but I also don't see a conference title in the near future.
conference title
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 11:01 — JPDOhioWho knows? No one expected State to play for a shot at the title this year.
The 1st down
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:59 — gvillegatrYou guys, the typical ones anyway ( max and yar ), do realize the yellow line that makes for good tv IS NOT the official 1st down line. Get in line and take it like a man.
Lol
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 23:32 — mad_maxOf course gatr is the one person who somehow thinks that was a first down. And of course gatr fails to acknowledge that neither of his "typicals" is blaming the loss on the refs.
Also funny how UNC fans are once again condemning Pack fans for talking about the refs, even though none of them suggested that ol' Butchie should "get in line and take it like a man" last week.
And wasn't it you gatr, who was recently blaming a UNC basketball loss on the refs? "Did you even watch the game?"
Back and forth since you were getting ur ass kicked
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 10:38 — gvillegatrSo, yes, I happened to be watching the play y'all are whining about. He did not make it to the imaginary yellow line, but I felt he did make it past the black line which was the LOS which led to the 1st down.
But like yar said, you lost the game wayyyyy before that. I just felt like giving you two guys an experts view on this single play. :)
True
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 22:11 — YAR8packBut the umd back didn't get to that magical yellow line. He barely got to the line of scrimmage (aka the black line). Watch the replay without your blue blockers.
Either way, State's passing D got shredded and their offensive line got ran over and out schemed, and those are the reasons State lost.
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
I don't follow NCSU
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:42 — UNC1998but I heard on the radio today that he was still talking about the UNC game on this past Tuesday. If that's true I'm not surprised at this result. For what it's worth I think Phil Steele had this one pegged, also. I heard him on the radio this morning. He alluded to the fact that NCSU had been graced with "gifts" in previous wins, and would have to pay the toll today. I guess he was right.
Deems may
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:55 — gvillegatrGood ol Deems chimed in with a, "TOB was still talking about the Carolina game on Tuesday so you know what his players were thinking about to. He didn't have his guys ready."
Psychological Advantage goes to ----everybody else
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:05 — dhoney1726Maybe Yow should figure out that everybody has the psychological advantage over O'Brien in the big games. It's not just ECU. Bring someone in who can move NCSU to the next level. Enough of this.
Haha, good one.
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:23 — mad_maxHaha, good one.
Maryland played a heck of a
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:54 — mad_maxMaryland played a heck of a game. Their passing attack was explosive. For State, I think the key was simply that they dropped too many passes. Sucks that State won't be playing for the title, but this doesn't take away from what has been a very good year for our program. It's been a while since the Pack had a winning ACC record, so this year feels pretty good. I'm hoping we can continue to be in the conversation for the title game for years to come, and I think there are plenty of good signs that this program is heading in that direction. I've heard a lot of people say that State is gonna be in trouble once RW is gone, but I totally disagree with that. The team is collectively getting better and better, and there is plenty to be excited for in the future. Now let's go get our first bowl win with TOB.
Oh by the way...first down? Yeah, okay. I thought I was about to see one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Oh well, let's just keep working.
Memo
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:29 — YAR8packMemo to the State defense: #82 for umd is still open.
Other than the atrocity representing NCSU's defense today, I'd put a large part of the blame in the hands of State's receivers, but they'd drop it.
The Pack's clock management was certainly that of mismanagement. Where the heck was the urgency in the 4th? Gah.
Even if that call at the end would have went the way it should have, there's no telling if State would've somehow tied it up. But damn. Would've been nice to see them go for it were it not for the douches in the replay booth apparently taking LSD.
OK DIE RON CHERRY DIE!!!
Good Ol' Ron
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:36 — YAR8packState should've never been in the position to get beat by the terps. The Pack was wimpy on both sides of the ball the entire day.
BUT...good ol' Ron Cherry rails the pack with some absolute BS...AGAIN. Not even the most blind hater of NCSU would agree that call should have stood. AWFUL.
OK DIE RON CHERRY DIE A PAINFUL DEATH!!!
This is not a shot at you....
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:45 — UNC1998YAR8pack, but I've noticed and been guilty of this myself.... Only fans of losing teams blame the refs. I agree that Cherry is not good, and have seen him "stick it" to UNC (20-17 game vs. VT comes to mind). If NCSU is better than UMd, the only thing to blame on this loss was themselves.
Dude
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:53 — YAR8packPut the weed down.
Please reread the first part of my posts. Notice something? Perhaps you'll see that I say how crappy the Pack played today and maryland punked them. Geesh.
Also, did I say State would have won had Ron *bleeping* Cherry made the correct call at the end? NO. I said it would have been nice for that chance if the correct call would have been made.
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
I don't do drugs....
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 01:06 — UNC1998I also don't give much attention to NCSU athletics. It's too bad they lost. That's all I have to say.
It's all good
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 16:23 — Heels20YAR8 has an anger problem and an underabundance of insults to throw around. It's fun to mess with him.
Must Be...
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 17:23 — YAR8pack...if that's what you want to call it.
You and blind follower friend follow and respond to almost all of my posts more than a teenage girls text. I love y'all, too.
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
It is what he wants to call it
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 19:14 — gvillegatrI mean, what else am I gonna say ! :)
Ha
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 22:30 — Heels20YAR8 explodes again for no reason.
Or am I ASSuming your butthurt was caused by someone other than "gaytr."
Pfft
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 09:49 — YAR8packYou ladies wish.
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
H20
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 23:12 — gvillegatrGosh, man. It's only a blog. Take it easy. Can't you tell I'm only joking. Lmfao!
Nobody goes 0 to 60 faster than yar.
Nobody but...
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 09:53 — YAR8pack...you and high heals20.
OK GO WOLFPACK!!!
There you have it
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:33 — Heels20To all you Pack fans who ran your mouths the past week:
You deserve every bit of what you're feeling right now.
Not feeling too bad
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:57 — mad_maxNot feeling too bad actually. Was mad about the dropped passes and first down call at the end, but that has passed. I knew this would be a tough game, and I was prepared for this outcome. Glad I hadn't bought tickets to Charlotte yet.
Tickets to Charlotte!?
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:46 — gvillegatrYou don't even have tickets in Rawleigh! I do though. :)
At least our program wasn't
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:37 — Boeing1At least our program wasn't tainted by a coach with questionable ethics and players using tutors to write their papers...you Baby Blue people are terrible when not winning.
Um
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:39 — Heels20If by terrible you mean one win less than your squad, then yeah.
Way to go whiney Packers! Enjoy another 31 years until your next shot at a conference title!
liars
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:32 — rtoddmitchellwhat a bunch of crap. maryland was at least a yard short of the first down and the refs blow it and steal a chance from the pack. i'm gonna go throw up now.
Typical
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:34 — Heels20The officials are always at fault.
Yep, just like when they
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:16 — mad_maxYep, just like when they don't call intentional grounding.
Nope
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:30 — Heels20I never complained about that no call. Placed no blame on the refs.
Calm down Pack fans...
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:19 — countylouWe beat unc @ chapel hole 4 years in a row.
The fsu game was a gift...and I did enjoy it- but I knew I'd eventually have to return it.
So long RW. Good luck with your baseball career. Oh yeah, Maryland will get a better bowl than unc now. lol! Almost forgot the icing on the cake and ecu really sux. Rice?
Didn't ECU...
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:46 — UNC1998beat NCSU this season?
Absolutely Pathetic
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 20:01 — Boeing1This team look HORRIBLE today...offense and defense. Russel Wilson looked liked he had taken a sedative after the 1st quarter...he should have been benched in the 2nd half. This team showed no character at all today...so much on the line, and so little effort...blown assignments, bad tackling, horrendous QB play...glad we're not playing VT next week, they would win by 60.
Did I miss the big news?
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 18:48 — topcat27606I guess NC State was granted an automatic bid to the championship game as they have decided to save everything for the next game and let Maryland have their Senior Game fun.
t-shirts
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 10:40 — SurferThey should have, gosh, one loss ruins two or three sets of t-shirts. The pack has still had a good season though, TOB's first winning record, but I doubt that we will see that one in screen print, although I have been surprised before.