Nov 23, 2008 9:04 pm US/Eastern
Terrapins Seek Consolation Prize After Loss To FSU
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) ―
Maryland won't be playing for the Atlantic Coast Conference title, which means the Terrapins can also cancel plans to play in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1.
So what's the state of the team after Saturday night's devastating 37-3 loss to Florida State?
"They're like me. They're not good," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "My mental state is not really good right now, but I told them I'll be back to work Monday and for them to come ready to work, because 8-4 is better than 7-5. There are bowl opportunities there for us and a chance to win nine games."
The Terps (7-4, 4-3) have been reduced to playing for a consolation prize. It was all there for them against Florida State -- a chance to win the ACC title, finish a perfect home season and perhaps play in the Orange Bowl for the second time during the Friedgen era.
All that was stolen away by Florida State, and it wasn't even close. The Seminoles led 21-0 at halftime and toyed with Maryland the rest of the way.
"They came out ready to play and we didn't match their intensity," defensive back Anthony Wiseman said. "We came out with no energy. They ran the ball effectively and kept our offense off the field."
Even when the Maryland offense got the opportunity to perform, it didn't do much. The Seminoles had six sacks and came close to collaring quarterback Chris Turner on several other occasions.
"They had a good pass rush and some really good defensive linemen," Turner said. "I took a few hits and I'm hurting a little bit, but I'll be fine."
Maryland senior center Edwin Williams will get over it too, but it might take a while.
"It is very sad to have the game that we did on my last home game of my career, but I think sometime in the future, I will understand why all this happened," he said. "I can't look back at this game and think I should have done this or we could have done all that. All that matters are the friends that you make and the lessons you learn."
The Terrapins close the regular season this Saturday at Boston College. They will have a say on who wins the Atlantic Division, even if it won't be them.
If Maryland wins, Florida State captures the division crown and plays for the ACC title next month. If Boston College wins, then the Eagles advance.
Boston College was No. 20 in the poll released Sunday, which could be a good thing for Maryland. The Terrapins are 4-0 against Top 25 teams and have rebounded from each of their losses with a win over a ranked opponent.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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