Terps escape Cavs

For last four years, not many things broke the University of Maryland Terrapins football way.  Whether it was an injury, a turnover, or missed kick, things just didn’t seem to work out.  These things may have changed, however, as Maryland breathed a large sigh of relief as UVA kicker Alec Vozenilek missed a 42-yard attempt that would have given the Cavaliers a win.  Maryland, who was playing without starting quarterback C.J. Brown, rallied several times throughout the course of the game to squeak by the now 2-4 Virginia, 27-26.

It was Virginia who got on the board first as they took advantage of a muffed Maryland punt, and after two field goals found themselves ahead 6-0.  Maryland and running back Brandon Ross answered with a 77- yard screen and run, and it was Ross, who ran for 88 yards on 17 carries, finishing his work with a 1-yard touchdown run.  Maryland continued their offensive success into the second quarter, where the Terps extended their lead to 14-6 on another touchdown run from Ross.  Virginia found its rhythm late in the half, and scored the last 10 points to carry a 16-14 lead heading into the break.

Oct 12, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins tight end Dave Stinebaugh (86) rolls over in the end zone after making the game winning catch against the Virginia Cavaliers at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland was the only team to score in the third quarter as they sustained two long drives, however, were unable to punch either drive in for a touchdown.  Maryland settled for a 20-16 advantage with 15 minutes to play.  And what a 15 minutes it was, as the Cavs scored 10 consecutive points to jump out to a 26-20 lead.  Caleb Rowe and Maryland showed great determination and turned a third and long into a 47 yard pass and catch between Rowe and wideout Deon Long.  Rowe, who threw for 322 yards and a touchdown, was relentless on the drive, completing pass after pass capped off by a 12-yard touchdown reception to tight end Dave Stinebaugh.

Virginia was not dead yet, and quarterback David Watford completed a series of passes to push the ball into Maryland territory.  Virginia decided to kick a 42-yard field goal with just about 16 seconds remaining, but Vozenilek pushed the kick wide right

Head coach Randy Edsall was ecstatic to escape with the 27-26 victory, saying, “It couldn’t have ended any better for us.”  Maryland will now have a week for C.J. Brown to recover before the showdown with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons next Saturday at 3:30.