COLLEGE PARK, Md.--
The rainbow that appeared over Byrd Stadium yesterday just after an aborted fourth-down play wasn't exactly an omen for Maryland's football team.More likely, it was a reminder of a lesson the Terrapins have been learning all year: Beauty can appear, even on an ugly day. And you don't have to be perfect to be successful in the mediocre Atlantic Coast Conference.
"The ACC right now is the best thing to watch," junior receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said after the Terps' unlikely 17-15 win over North Carolina. "Other conferences, you already know who's in the championship game. In the ACC, you always have a chance. You want to know: Who's going to win this week?"
Despite their penchant for winning at home (6-0 this year) and against ranked teams (six straight), few might have given the Terps much of a chance yesterday. They were coming off a 23-13 drubbing at Virginia Tech, and they gave the Tar Heels
They also were penalized for silly infractions that made coach Ralph Friedgen want to tear out what little hair he has left, including a 12-men-in-the-huddle flag on first and goal from the UNC 5 late in the game.
But like many college tests, this year's ACC race is graded on a curve. And Maryland's sine curve of a season is back on the upswing. The clear lesson is that one mistake--or even two or three--isn't necessarily fatal.
"It seems like we say this every week," junior quarterback Chris Turner said with a grin. "We made a lot of mental errors tonight, but we showed a lot of character. And sometimes, that's the most important thing."
In the forgiving ACC, where every team has at least two conference losses, there are plenty of chances for redemption. You can squander a few of them, but to win a title that's begging to be claimed, eventually you have to grab one of them.
Such an opportunity was Maryland's epic 19-play, 73-yard fourth-quarter drive that produced Obi Egekeze's game-winning 26-yard field goal with 1:42 left. After spending most of the second half spinning their wheels in muddy conditions, the Terrapins converted three third downs on the march, and Turner scrambled 9 yards
"My heart is still racing," senior guard Jamie Thomas admitted later. "We were really determined to get points there."
Yesterday's win took contributions from Maryland's usual suspects (Turner, Heyward-Bey, linebackers Moise Foku and Alex Wujcek), as well as from some unlikely heroes.
Seldom-used receiver Ronnie Tyler made a fingertip third-down catch while being flipped by UNC cornerback Kendric Burney on the game-winning drive. And backup defensive back Antwine Perez fought off a blocker to tackle Tar Heel quarterback Cam Sexton on a third-down scramble to set up the final possession.
It also required some help from the talented but implosive Tar Heels, who are still learning how to win under coach Butch Davis. Kicker Casey Barth clanged a 28-yard field goal off the left upright; dangerous receiver Hakeem Nicks touched the ball just three times; and UNC was an uncharacteristic 1-for-11 on third downs.
"We left so much out on the field," Sexton lamented. "We didn't play well, and we didn't capitalize. I made a ton of mistakes."
Yet the Tar Heels (7-3, 3-3) still aren't out of the ACC's Coastal Division race, not with winnable games against N.C. State and Duke remaining. Similarly, Maryland (7-3, 4-2) controls its destiny and can win the Atlantic Division (and a spot in the league title game) by beating Florida State and Boston College.
It helps to rush for 195 yards, as Maryland did yesterday. It also helps to have a short memory and the resiliency to quickly forget about the downs like the debacle in Blacksburg.
"I get philosophical," Friedgen said, "but there are so many life lessons in football. When you experience failure, you can get back in the saddle, or don't ride again. To me, you've got to get back in the saddle."
The Terps will do that against Florida State next Saturday. Don't expect them to be perfect. Do expect them to compete.
This year, that may be good enough.
"We're resilient, and we're competitive," offensive coordinator James Franklin said. "Are we perfect? Far from it. But we're 7-3, and I'm fine with that."
Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443
Email: sdeshazo@freelancestar.com