Zero.
That was how many of the Terps’ 11 first downs against Virginia Tech came on the ground. Then again, when you have -12 yards rushing, it’s hard to gain the positive yardage normally needed for a first down. It’s even harder when a team’s average yards to gain on third down is *drumroll* 10.36 yards!! Gak!
Coincidentally, the Terps had as many third-down opportunities (11) as they had first downs. But the Terps were only 2-for-11 on third down, and only three times did they have to gain five yards or less for a first down. Noncoincidentally, both of their conversions came when five yards or less were needed.
Other than that, the Terps were always in third-and-long situations. On five occassions, they needed more than the original 10 yards on third down (10, 18, 20, 16 and 17). Penalties, sacks and busted plays all contributed to the third-and-longs, but nothing more so than the -12 yards rushing.
If you can’t run the ball, and don’t have Graham Harrell throwing to Michael Crabtree, you can’t move the ball consistently. To his credit, quarterback Chris Turner actually played fairly well, completing 19-of-31 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. But with no running game, the Hokies pinned back their ears and came after Turner all game.
It’s been a common theme on Behind the Numbers – winning not only third down, but the first two as well. It seems simple enough to understand, that doing well on first and second downs sets up a team for success on the all-important third, but the Terps didn’t get it done on any down against the Hokies, who outrushed the Terps by 285 yards.
A common theme with the Terps has been that when they run well, they do well. In all of their wins, the Terps have run for at least 120 yards. The only two games in which they rushed for less than 120 yards were losses – Virginia (79) and Virginia Tech. If there was any good news to come out of Lane Stadium for the Terps, it’s that they don’t have to play again in the Old Dominion this season.
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