Terps put on a clinic, expose weaknesses

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Before every game, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen tells his offense that he expects a score on every possession. While for most games this is just wishful thinking, Saturday's game against Duke almost saw the coach's wish come true.

The Terrapins compiled almost 700 yards of offense and scored touchdowns on their first six possessions en route to a 59-17 drubbing of Duke in College Park.

"Every time we get the ball, we want to put it in the endzone," Maryland wide receiver Scooter Monroe said. "We went out and did it today, and we're pretty excited about it."

Almost as astounding as Maryland's point total was how efficiently the team scored.

In the team's first possession, the Terps stuck to the ground, running five times for 58 yards, capped by a two-yard quarterback keeper by Shaun Hill. Total time of possession: 2:13.

Maryland's second drive brought more of the same--starting from their own 12, the Terps threw one seven-yard pass and ran four times for 79 yards and another touchdown. Time of possession: 2:11.

When Maryland found itself on the Duke 22 to start it's third drive, it didn't waste any time admiring it's great field position. Two rushes, 22 yards, time of possession: 41 seconds.

The second quarter was a replay of the first--another three touchdowns on Maryland's first three drives, giving the team six touchdowns while controlling the ball for only 11 minutes. In that span, the team faced third down only four times, converting easily each time.

For Maryland, the first half was as perfect as it could have expected against a Division I opponent. The 42 points were the most the team had scored since 1984. Duke didn't have to look back that far--the Blue Devils gave up 42 points against Florida State just last season.

"We put it out of reach early," Monroe said. "I think by the second half it was pretty much over."

Maryland's entire backfield crossed the goal line. Four different Terps had rushing touchdowns, while Hill also had a touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Dugan. Hill, in particular, enjoyed the Blue Devils' generosity, running nine times for 99 yards and two touchdowns while completing 19-of-22 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

"I thought that Shaun Hill played his best football game," Friedgen said. "He was getting back to his third, fourth and fifth option on routes, which he had not done before."

Maryland ran 47 plays in the half, 24 rushes for 209 yards and 23 passes for 229 yards. The team averaged nine yards each time it snapped the ball.

"It was quite a show they put on," Franks said. "Of course, you have to look at it based on what kind of defense we played today, which wasn't very good."

While the Terrapins clearly had the better team, Friedgen was pleased that his squad didn't suffer a letdown after an overtime victory over Georgia Tech last week.

"[The players] have never been in this position before," Friedgen said. "After last week, with the euphoria that was around here, they never lost focus."