First off, allow me to second Adi’s displeasure with today’s Buffalo Chicken sandwiches, which were regrettably sans Bleu Cheese. Other than that, they were some grand sandwiches, but still, tisk tisk.
Anyway, Ralph Friedgen and the players present at today’s luncheon all designated this weekend’s matchup against No. 21 Wake Forest as their most important of the season. The players stated the most important game is always the next one, and Friedgen continued on to point out what a victory could do for their conference record and what implications it could have later in the season should the Terps and Deamon Deacons end up with identical records.
Friedgen spoke at length about Wake Forest’s experience, particularly on defense, which is led by linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith, both considered among the nation’s best at their position.
The Fridge also identified the Virginia loss as one of the toughest of his career, and when asked whether it was time for his players to man-up and motivate themselves, the eighth-year coach said, “It would help,” but he continued on to place the onus squarely on his shoulders. Friedgen also remarked that his team had a good week of practice during their bye.
“The best thing about our practices was, not that we did everything right, but I saw a sincere desire to try to do things right,” Freidgen said.
The players addressed the hurt from last year’s 31-24 overtime loss in Winston-Salem and the elusiveness of junior quarterback Riley Skinner. Cornerback Kevin Barnes said Skinner is probably the conference’s “best quarterback at keeping the play alive.” Center Edwin Williams echoed Freidgen’s sentiment that the Terps are essentially in a “six-game playoff” for the Atlantic Division, with the goal being a trip to the ACC Championship game in Tampa, Fla.
Last week against Virginia really was a tough loss, but this bye-week couldn’t have been more perfectly timed, especially after a game like that. Wake Forest is going to have their hands full when we come looking for revenge for both the Virginia game and last year’s overtime loss.
Go Terps!
I’m tired of hearing about Fridgen’s worst losses of his career. There should be no excuse for such bad losses coming ot such bad teams twice in a season. We all gave the team a pass after the MTSU loss seeing how we played the next few games, but there was no excuse for the shutout in Virginia. We have the most experienced O-line in the conference, but they’ve hardly been playing like it. Turner never had much time to throw against Virginia. O-line is crucial for offensive production;i was Clemson’s downfall this season. We also can’t expect to score points if we don’t give our best player the ball. Hey-Bey has been a highlight reel everytime he’s touched the ball; I don’t know why we’re looking for other places to find offensive production. Stick with what works. I’m tired of such up-and-down games. Being incosistent is only thing but we cannot expect to get any respect with multiple embarassing losses.
i have a response for college basketball! How do you spell relief? By Duke beating the Twerps!!! Duke’s hated rival!!!