2011 Maryland Terrapins Football: Maryland @ Florida State

Florida State won its second straight game over an overmatched ACC opponent by a 41-16 score for the second game in a row after dropping two straight conference games by identical 35-30 scores. Florida State seems to be turning a corner after three straight losses earlier this season. EJ Manuel is back and seems to be healthy and is again a big part of the running game. Injuries are still a problem at many positions, but other than the offensive line, the Seminoles are pretty deep thanks to some strong recruiting classes over the past couple years.

Florida State opened up the game by scoring the first 17 points. It should have been more, but a bizarre call took a punt return touchdown off the board after Greg Reid fielded the punt after pointing out a man he wanted blocked. The official called it a fair catch though it clearly was not, and Reid was not assessed the usual penalty that would come with attempting a return after a fair catch.

Maryland was never in the game after that. Danny O’Brien was forced back into action when C. J. Brown was taken out of the game after a brutal hit by FSU LB Nigel Bradham. O’Brien was the ACC freshman player of the year last year, but he was replaced by Brown earlier this season after O’Brien was ineffectual. Brown is a mobile QB who had been able to keep defenses off guard with his running ability, while O’Brien is not mobile at all. The Terps may have a QB controversy should Brown be ready to go next game, as O’Brien moved the ball with ease, throwing for 180 yards on 9/18 passing and a TD despite not entering the game until early in the second half. Brown hadn’t been able to move the ball, going 11-19 for only 92 yards passing the ball, but more improbably, rushing for 0 yards on 10 carries after having rushed for 124 yards on 9 carries at Georgia Tech and 162 yards on 22 carries against Clemson, leading into this game. He was not able to run the ball on a fast FSU defensive line and linebacking corps.

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O’Brien got pounded the whole second half, as FSU didn’t respect his, or his team’s, ability to run and pinned its ears back with a series of blitzes and rushes. He finished with 5 rushes for 23 yards, while leading rusher Davin Meggett was held to 44 yards on 11 carries. The player of the game on offense for the Terps was WR Quintin McCree, who abused corner Greg Reid and the FSU secondary for 177 yards receiving on 9 receptions.

For Florida State, QB E.J. Manuel was harassed by the Maryland defense behind a makeshift offensive line, but he nevertheless had a good day passing the ball, with 264 yards on 18-26 passing. The bigger story is that for the second straight game, freshman running back Devonta freeman rushed for 100 yards. He is quickly establishing himself as the Seminoles’ go-to runner. While rushing the ball has been tough for FSU this season due to the struggles of the offensive line, which is now starting a 17 year-old due to the number of injuries and lack of depth, Freeman has benefited from playing overmatched opponents with poor defenses over the past two weeks. With his team grabbing an early lead, the Seminoles have given him the opportunity to run the ball and eat cleck, and Freeman has taken advantage of the situation. Jermaine Thomas also added 86 yards on only 9 carries. Each back had a TD run.

For the first time this season, FSU had its best game at receiver by a veteran. While talented freshmen receivers have been making the highlight reels for the Seminoles this year, senior Bert Reed quietly had himself a solid day, with 76 yards on 5 catches.

Florida State improved to 4-3 on the season, 2-2 in the ACC, and hosts North Carolina State next week. Maryland fell to 2-5 in head coach Randy Edsall’s first year, 1-3 in the ACC and hosts struggling Boston College next week.

Maryland Terrapins @ Florida State Seminoles Football Recap