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Overlooked: Even at 5-6, what Maryland and Matt Canada have accomplished this year is remarkable
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Run a Google search on Maryland football and see what pops up.
There are stories about alleged conversations between University President Wallace Loh and ex-head coach DJ Durkin regarding the investigation into the football program’s culture. There are lists of potential candidates to take over the program when the 2019 season comes to a close.
Unfortunately, not many of those stories are about the team.
It’s a perfect reflection of the season, really. The Terrapins have taken the field 11 times this season and rarely have been noticed. Yet at the briefest mention of Durkin’s name or the word “investigation,” we’re flocking to College Park like moths drawn to a campfire.
Nothing has been made of Tre Watson’s spectacular season. The senior linebacker, who transferred from Illinois, leads the B1G in tackles (110) and interceptions (5) in his only year with the program. Little has been said of Anthony McFarland’s breakout campaign, totaling over 1,000 rushing yards in his freshman season.
Even when the Terrapins took No. 10 Ohio State to the wire last Saturday, ripping off explosive play after explosive play in a 52-51 gut-wrenching loss, the conversation wasn’t about Matt Canada’s scheme, Tyrrell Pigrome’s sensational effort or, again, McFarland’s huge day. Instead, it was about how Ohio State’s defense was flimsier than a wet paper sack. How on earth can the Buckeyes stop Michigan if they can’t stop Maryland?
Not much is going to change this week for the Terps.
Maryland takes the field one more time in the 2018 regular season. Sixty minutes are set to determine whether the Terrapins reach the postseason or if the coaching conversation picks up steam. It’s one last opportunity for Canada to add a signature win to his resumé.
Instead of those stories filtering through your Google search, you’ll find Penn State trying to keep a 10-win season within reach. Or you’ll see the rumors about James Franklin’s potential candidacy for a job at USC.
Rather than worry about those other headlines, know this: regardless of outcome on Saturday in Happy Valley, Maryland’s season is a success. Canada deserves serious consideration to remove the interim tag and land his first head coaching job.
Wadding up this season and tossing it into the nearest wastebasket would’ve been incredibly easy. Considering the turmoil and emotional toll that was endured in College Park, finishing 3-9 without any competitive spirit would’ve been acceptable.
But the Terrapins didn’t succumb to that pressure. Instead, Maryland provided the college football world with some pretty thrilling moments, though. Several of which have been ignored.
There was the 34-29 season-opening win over No. 23 Texas, a game in which freshman receiver Jeshaun Jones had a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown in the victory. Ty Johnson had a 98-yard kickoff return against Michigan, giving the Terrapins a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Javon Leake had 140 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries in a 63-33 win over Illinois.
And then there was last Saturday, a game Maryland was tabbed as a two-touchdown underdog against a team it had an 0-4 record against and had been outscored 225-69. Rather than wave the white handkerchief, the Terrapins (literally) rushed out to an early lead and played in front of Ohio State most of the way. If only Pigrome and Jones could’ve connected on that two-point conversion.
Accomplishments were all overshadowed by the findings in Rod Walters’ investigation, a board of regents press conference that recommended Durkin’s reinstatement and an altercation following one practice in late October. Moments that are all significant, yes, but shouldn’t be the defining points of the season.
This year really hasn’t even been about the haves and the have nots on the field. The bigger story has been the resolve and the unity the Terrapins have shown this season. How, instead of giving up under the most devastating circumstances, they banded together, managing to win five games this season and honoring Jordan McNair after every single one.
On Saturday, Maryland will take the field for 60 minutes against Penn State, this time trying to earn the privilege to play 60 more. And wouldn’t that be an incredible way to bookend the season? Beating No. 23 Texas to start the year and defeating No. 12 Penn State to close out the campaign for the right to participate in a 13th game.
What a story, right?
In a lot of ways, what happens on Saturday is irrelevant. Maybe not for the players, the coaches or the fans, all who desperately want to give this season new meaning. To rub it in the faces of all the doubters.
The story isn’t what happens in those 60 minutes in Happy Valley on Saturday. It’s about the 660 before that have written one of the most desperate, tumultuous and emotional chapters in the history of Maryland football. Those 11 games have turned one of the most tragic stories in sports history into a year of triumph and perseverance.
Not enough people paid attention to those 660 minutes.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB