– The Terrapins’ turnover differential stands at (-13) after turning it over four times against Virginia and only forcing one takeaway.
Chris Turner’s third-quarter interception off a deflection was returned for a touchdown by defensive end Nate Collins for the go-ahead score for the Cavaliers who went on to beat the Terps, 20-9.
“I tried to get it over, but the defensive lineman was standing right there and it was tipped and went right into [Collins’] arms,” Turner said. “Nine times out of ten that wouldn’t have happened, but it did today.”
It marks the sixth time in seven games that Maryland has lost the turnover battle. The only opponent to turn it over more than the Terps in a game this season was Clemson.
– Maligned for most of the season, the Maryland defense allowed just 63 rushing yards, including only two in the first half. It marks the lowest rushing total by an opponent since Cal had 38 in 2008.
The Terps held Virginia to just 201 yards of total offense and nine first downs. It was the lowest total for an opponent since the Maryland defense surrendered only 163 yards to Florida International in the 2007 season.
“I feel like we were playing together well,” linebacker Adrian Moten said. “I think we concentrated on the run. We wanted to come out and eliminate the big plays on defense.”
– Torrey Smith entered the game needing only 155 all-purpose yards to reach 3,000 for his career. The sophomore receiver also led the nation with a 236.7 all-purpose yards average, but the Virginia defense had other plans for Maryland’s biggest threat.
The Cavaliers kicked away from the returner throughout the game, not allowing Smith to record an official return.
The receiver was also limited to just three catches for 34 yards and one rush for no gain.
– When linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield broke his hand against Wake Forest last week, many assumed his season was in jeopardy.
Instead, playing with a heavily-wrapped hand looking more like a club, the freshman made seven tackles.
(Update: Hartsfield underwent surgery on Sunday and will miss the next four weeks of action.)
– Linebacker Alex Wujciak turned in another fine performance, making 14 tackles. The junior has earned double-digit tackles in five of the Terps’ seven games this season.
– Freshman kicker Nick Ferrara hit a career-high three field goals on Saturday, including a 48-yarder.
However, his two misses (37 and 44 yards) in the fourth quarter were a major factor in the Terps’ loss.
Ferrara has handled both placekicking and punting duties while punter Travis Baltz is shelved with an ankle injury.
“I have a lot of confidence in Nick,” head coach Ralph Friedgen said. “They were tough field goals.”
– Seven different Terps receivers caught passes against Virginia, but no receiver gained more than 34 yards.
Smith, Adrian Cannon, and LaQuan Williams each recorded three catches.
– Virginia has won consecutive games in College Park for the first time since taking four straight in the 1990s (’93, ’95, ’97, and ’99).
– Despite two lost fumbles, Davin Meggett and Gary Douglas ran well against the Virginia defense.
Meggett gained 52 yards on 11 carries while Douglas ran for 49 yards on just six carries.
True freshman Caleb Porzel saw carries for the second-straight week, rushing six times for 22 yards.
Douglas suffered an AC joint injury during the game.
