Maryland 51, East Carolina 20
Terps give Friedgen proper sendoff with big win
Rushing attack propels Maryland to rout of East Carolina in Military Bowl
By Jeff Barker, The Baltimore Sun6:37 PM EST, December 29, 2010
WASHINGTON
If nothing else, Maryland's 51-20 victory over East Carolina in the Military Bowl provided temporary comfort to Friedgen, who had likened his final days at his alma mater to a "slow death."
Against the overmatched Pirates, Friedgen got a 91-yard touchdown run and 200 total yards from tailback Da'rel Scott, playing his last Maryland game. Scott was voted the game's MVP. Maryland (9-4) also got four rushing touchdowns from goal-line specialist D.J. Adams.
East Carolina entered the game ranked last in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense, surrendering 479 yards per game. As Maryland well knew, the Pirates are particularly susceptible to the run.
Friedgen learned officially on Dec. 20 that the final season of his contract was being bought out. But he was not the only one exiting after the game.
Many of his assistant coaches will not be returning. It was also the last game for standout linebacker Alex Wujciak and 15 other seniors and -- perhaps -- receiver-returner Torrey Smith, who may leave for the NFL.
Maryland fans serenaded Friedgen with chants of "Ralph, Ralph." A fan hung a banner with "RALPH" in red letters.
"Thank you, Coach Friedgen," said another banner. Scott gestured for fans in the stands to applaud the coach at the end.
When it was over, Friedgen -- wearing khaki pants, a black jacket and white Terps ball cap -- walked to the stands and huddled with his players as the band played the alma mater.
Friedgen, 63, was hired in 2001 from Georgia Tech, where he was offensive coordinator. The Terps won, 23-7, in his debut.
"What I remember is we played North Carolina and the first play from scrimmage went 70 yards for a touchdown -- for them. And I know everybody in the stands said, 'Here we go again.' But our kids hung in there and we ended up beating them," Friedgen said in an interview.
On Wednesday, Maryland took a 6-0 lead on its second possession. Receiver Kevin Dorsey jostled with cornerback Travis Simmons along the sideline before hauling in 45-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked.
Adams' 1-yard scoring run pushed Maryland's lead to 16-3 in the second quarter. The touchdown was set up by Davin Meggett's 44-yard run to the 22.
Maryland used its multiple blitz packages to pressure quarterback Dominique Davis, who was 35-for-57 for 268 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Maryland upped the lead to 30-10 in the third quarter on an 11-play drive capped by Adams' 1-yard run -- his third touchdown of the day. The key play was a 31-yard swing pass to Meggett.
The Military Bowl (formerly known as the EagleBank Bowl), in its third season, was played at RFK Stadium. The building with the distinctive curving roof was home to the Redskins, who left for FedEx Field in 1997, and to baseball's Senators until they departed for Texas in 1971.
The stadium is distinctly old-school, just like the man who coached his last Maryland game there.
jeff.barker@baltsun.com
Copyright © 2010, The Baltimore Sun
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