Chris Turner News

By at least one measure, the ninth season of Ralph Friedgen's tenure at Maryland was the worst in school history.

For at least one play late in the fourth quarter of a game that would cement the first 10-loss season in Maryland football history, the possibilities of what the future might bring were evident. Sophomore wide receiver Torrey Smith extended a deep crossing route further than normal to provide scrambling sophomore quarterback Jamarr Robinson a target in the end zone. Robinson lofted a pass just over the head of a Boston College linebacker and into Smith's hands for a 28-yard touchdown.

'It was a perfect pass,' Smith said. 'I had an easy job catching it.'

Not all losses are created equal. Not in the eyes of Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen.

Let's start with the bottom line: Ralph Friedgen expects to coach Maryland's football team next year.

The Eagles are 7-4 while the Terrapins are 2-9 and by all accounts the university is seriously considering putting an end to the Ralph Friedgen era.

Phil Costa and the other 13 seniors on the Maryland football team envisioned ending their college careers playing in a bowl game on New Year's Day.

The Terrapin football team will focus only on what it can control this week. The mantra was echoed time and time again yesterday in the first media availability for players since reports surfaced that the Athletics Department might be considering buying out the remaining two years of coach Ralph Friedgen's contract.

The University of Maryland football team held a 90-minute practice on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Saturday's matchup with Florida State, which is set for noon at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.

While there are many possible headlines for Saturday's matchup against the Maryland Terrapins, no other story is more pertinent when it comes to the Seminole offense than redshirt freshman EJ Manuel.

The Maryland football team could use some good news this week. The Terrapins have lost five straight and seven of their last eight after a 1-1 start.

Jamarr Robinson probably has the strongest arm of any of the Terrapin football team's quarterbacks.

Virginia Tech arrived at Byrd Stadium in all-white uniforms. Maryland countered with black jerseys and pants and played under a dreary gray sky.

With the threat of flooding due to heavy rain in the area, the University of Maryland football team held practice in its off-campus indoor facility Thursday afternoon in preparation for Saturday's Virginia Tech game.

What's the biggest problem with Maryland Terrapins football this year? No stars were available to make plays for them over the course of the season.

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner remains questionable for Saturday's game against No.

Maryland hasn't sold out a game all season, but Virginia Tech fans are expected to pack Byrd Stadium for Saturday's ACC matchup.

NC State ended a four-game losing streak, overcoming poor special teams play and three interceptions to pull out a 38-31 win on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Never before has a Ralph Friedgen-coached Maryland team entered the final month of the regular season under these circumstances: The Terrapins likely will be underdogs in all four remaining games, and they have to win all of them to become eligible for a bowl game.

An abundance of turnovers, sacks and injuries have sapped much of the drama out of the final third of Maryland's season, but coaches and players returned from a bye week with renewed optimism. They insist that the team has shown gradual improvement -- specifically in pass protection and on defense -- and cling to hope of a strong finish.

This isn't the way any member of the Terrapin football team's small senior class wanted to end their careers.

Like a bad Southwest Airlines commercial, the Terrapin football team wants to get away.