5 months ago
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Under normal circumstances, Maryland would probably treat Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee State as a revenge match.
After getting off to a shaky start this season, however, the Terrapins are more interested in moving ahead than looking back.
Last September, Maryland traveled to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and lost 24-14 to the Blue Raiders of the Sun Belt Conference. Avenging the defeat would be nice, but the focus is really on just getting a win.
"The truth of the matter is, last year is last year," defensive end Jared Harrell said Tuesday. "The Terps last year were a different team. We do remember Middle Tennessee. We remember that loss, and it's something we will be thinking about a lot.
"But there is no revenge factor," Harrell insisted. "We're just trying to improve our football team."
Their game against Middle Tennessee State last year provided the Terrapins a lesson in defeat, one they hope will be beneficial on Saturday.
"Now we respect those guys. We know we can't take anything for granted," defensive back Anthony Wiseman said.
Especially this season, because Maryland has yet to earn the right to take any team lightly. The Terrapins opened with a 52-13 loss at California, then survived a scare from James Madison before escaping with a 38-35 win in overtime.
Middle Tennessee (1-1) has lost to Clemson and defeated Memphis.
One reason why Maryland isn't overly preoccupied with revenge is that 30 seniors from last year's team are gone. In their place are underclassmen who must improve in a hurry if the team is to earn the necessary six wins to receive a bowl bid.
Most of the youth is on a defense that has already yielded 87 points and more than 900 yards. The Terrapins are still adjusting to the playbook of first-year defensive coordinator Don Brown, a process that has gone slower than expected.
"All we have to do is eliminate the big plays and have everyone tend to their responsibilities," Wiseman said.
"We know what we're capable of. Obviously, the first week didn't go the way we wanted it to, but we pulled out a win in the second game, which is really all that matters," Harrell said. "We see improvement every day. We see mistakes that we can fix. We don't feel that we don't have the personnel to get done what we need to get done."
The Terps will have to move on without senior cornerback Nolan Carroll, who broke his leg against James Madison and is lost for the season. A team captain who provided solid pass coverage, Carroll's departure is a severe blow to a unit that was already thin in depth.
"It's a real shame," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "There's a tremendous amount of feeling for Nolan on this team. Not only is he very well liked, but well respected."
Friedgen said Carroll will not be able to gain another year of eligibility, but was asked to remain part of the team and continue his role as captain.
Comments 
