Terps could never find an answer

Throughout the 2009 Terrapin football season, coach Ralph Friedgen repeatedly confessed his love for this particular group of players. His choked emotions, then, came from the frustration of watching a favorite son fail. His unrelenting obstinacy allowed him to pull himself out of the flames in time to avoid the ashes.

There were no answers to be had after the 10th and final dagger sunk into the 2009 Terps (2-10, 1-7 ACC). Many of the questions were the same asked in the beginning of the season. But the team's ultimate legacy will not be its youth or offensive line problems — this year's squad will be remembered for its simple inability to win football games.

Each week, it seemed the Terps had progressed in one area or another. Injuries to key players came and went. And each week, they found a new way to hand a new team the game. The on-field product outshone its on-paper accumulations. By year's end, though, there was no "one week at a time" mantra to fall back on, and the Terps were flummoxed by their own ineptitude.

"I think 2-10 kind of creeps up on you," senior center Phil Costa said last Saturday, after a 19-17 loss to Boston College. "You keep believing you're going to win the next week, you know, win out. And it just didn't happen. It's wishful thinking at some point."

For Friedgen, the ride was particularly gruesome. The emotional coach cracked at several press conferences throughout the year, maddened by his team's inability to win, regardless of effort.

As the season spiraled into oblivion, the discussion of Friedgen's job security heightened. Talk of the possibility of a $4 million buyout spread around the program and university. Athletics Director Debbie Yow remained silent, offering only that she would evaluate Friedgen and the program after the season, a decision Friedgen called an "honest appraisal."

While Friedgen was retained, the expectation for the future was made clear: win. But the three letter word was nearly impossible for the Terps to spell out in 2009.

The biggest blowout came in the opening week, a 52-13 throttling at the hands of a then-ranked California team in Berkeley, Calif. The closest loss came two weeks later, when Middle Tennessee shredded the Terps' spirits for the second straight year, serving up a 32-31 loss sealed with a short field goal as time expired.

Nonconference play left the Terps 1-3, officially thrusting Friedgen onto national "hot seat"  watch lists. But it appeared the Terps may have reversed their fortunes with a 24-21 win at home against Clemson. The Tigers missed two fourth-quarter field goals and fumbled on their final possession, a meltdown the Terp faithful in attendance could relate to.
That was the last time the ball bounced Maryland's way in 2009.

In the next seven games, the Terps lost in every way possible. They fell behind early, only to have a big rally come up short against Wake Forest. They turned over and flopped on homecoming versus Virginia. They drowned in a torrential downpour at Duke. They lost their senior quarterback mid-game against N.C. State. They were blown out by a superior Virginia Tech team. They were unable to run out the clock on a sure-fire win, dropping to Florida State. Finally, they were unable to convert the biggest down of the season on Senior Day against Boston College.

The season served as a lesson in the poetic technique of repetition with variation — say it again, differently. And for a fanbase already diminished because of the economy, the redundancy was not appreciated. The announced 35,042 present for the season finale was the smallest Byrd Stadium crowd in Friedgen's tenure.

Terp players and boosters denied similarities between 2009 and the pre-Friedgen era — in the 10 years prior to his arrival and instant success, the Terps won a total of 37 games. The biggest difference, they said, is talent.

In moving past a team with 14 seniors, there is reason to believe next year should be different. The 2010 Terps will be experienced at nearly every position, despite remaining fairly young.

Sophomore quarterback Jamarr Robinson showed flashes of strong play while replacing injured senior Chris Turner down the stretch. Junior linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten are two of the Terps' finest at the position in recent years and outstanding vocal leaders. Running back Da'Rel Scott should finally be healthy for his senior year, and sophomore Torrey Smith was an All-ACC player as a wide receiver and kick returner.

The bitter taste of 2009 may not leave fans' mouths quickly next fall. While athletes live in the moment, fans often dwell on the past.

This past season brought up questions about the coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator James Franklin, who was named Friedgen's successor in February. Recruiting was harped on as a major issue, particularly on an offensive line with little depth and overriding inexperience. Friedgen has pledged to help put a dent in season ticket sales that fell $600,000 below expectations in 2009. Answering those questions could prove his best solution.

The players, though, just want to get back on the field. They want to remember what it's like to win. They want to succeed.

"We have no choice but to look past it," Smith said. "We have the talent. The season's over with now, but no one's leaving. ... The future's bright. People just got to believe."
Friedgen undoubtedly will. He always has.

ajoseph@umdbk.com