So, how does a team get outgained 372 to 295 total yards and still win? Forcing three turnovers and committing none certainly helps. A 76-yard run by Darrius Heyward-Bey on a reverse to set up the Terps’ first touchdown also helped. But in tight games like Saturday’s, every little thing can have a profound impact on the final outcome.
Against the Tigers, Terp punter Travis Baltz averaged a net of 39.4 yards per punt and dropped three of seven boots inside Clemson’s 20-yard line. On the other side, Tigers punter Jimmy Maners averaged a net of only 30.6 on five punts, dropping one inside the Terps’ 20 and one for a touchback.
That’s nearly one additional first down the Terps added onto each Clemson drive, which can take its toll over the course of a long, physical game. Field position was a critical element to last week’s win over Eastern Michigan, and Saturday was no different — the Terps’ average starting field position for the game was the Clemson 35; the Tigers began on average on the Terps’ 24-yard line.
The importance of special teams play peaked in the fourth quarter, though. After the Terp offense failed to convert on third and 10, Baltz recorded his lone touchback of the game when he booted a 42-yard punt into Clemson’s end zone. The Terps’ defense stuffed Clemson at the 20, and Maners responded with a poor 35-yard punt that was returned 10 yards by Danny Oquendo to the Clemson 45.
Given another chance inside Clemson territory, the Terps and Oquendo (who had three catches for 43 yards on the drive) cashed in for the go-ahead touchdown and the game’s final score. In a game as close as this one was, it’s often the small, ignored aspects that make the difference. The Terps were able to overcome an explosive Tigers offense by being opportunistic on defense and forcing turnovers. But they needed Baltz to win the field position game and get them over the hump.
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September 29th, 2008 at 7:32 am
The terps looked liked a new team after the first half. I would have loved to have been in the locker room to hear The Fridge. It must have been like that underarmour commercial or something. But a win is a win….
September 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
As much as I love what the Terps defense did in the second half, if Maryland expects to contend in the wide-open ACC, they will need to be able to put together a complete defensive performance rather than just one half of good defensive football.
They are still giving up way too many yards on the ground and through the air, and a victory over the perennially overrated Clemson Tigers doesn’t convince me of anything.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Danny Oquendo’s emergence is hopefully something more than a one week appearance. I feel like we need him to complete our passing attack.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
We are all often critical of Ralph and the coordinators he picks, offense and D, and his play calling and the way he handles stuff on and off the field. But let’s look at a positive that is often overlooked when we study Ralph. The man is a special teams genious. During his tenure at Maryland he has yet to have a punt blocked. During that time, each of the punters he had turned out to be top of the ACC caliber guys (recent example, Baltz selected as co-ACC special teams player of the week). Though Obi got off to a rough start, the kicking game during his tenure has been awesome. Novak being the all-time scorer. Ennis was supposed to be a nobody. And Obi has turned out to be a blessing in disguise on kick-offs. The return game has also been a big plus for this team over the years. Suter started the tradition during this era and it will be continued in the future by the great Kenny Tate.
Too often special teams is overlooked. But with Ralph at the head, Beemer-ball is nothing in comparison to what this man has done. Offense and defense aside, Ralph is a special teams genious.