Live Blog: Maryland

12:28 - Game's over. Too little, too late, and that decision to go for the onside kick ends up really hurting Cal.

Wow.

12:13 - Another score. Score is still not yet respectable.

Man...these are some weak onside kicks.

12:05 - Case in point, a big run and they're already at the 1 yard line. And there's the score. Bad bad idea.

12:03 - A lot of people might disagree with me, but the more I think about it, I'm really unhappy with the call to do the onside kick. I know you need a spark, but I think it's a bit too early to go for that onside kick.

11:59 - At least we prevented the first TD-less game by the offense in 8 years. Riley to Morrah for a TD strike.

11:42 - Yeah, that just about does it. Has there ever been a Tedford game where we've gone without a TD?

11:25 - Maryland is beating Cal in nearly every phase of the game. That's the 4th sack of the day for an O-line that only gave up 11 last year. You have to ask yourself it's a question of our o-line having issues or Riley holding on to the ball too long.

11:13 - That may have just sealed the deal. Ok, not really. But I know it's really early to say, but seeing that Cal hasn't been able to score a single TD thus far in the game, it's looking grim.


11:02 - To not get anything out of Follett's second forced fumble of the day might be my 7th kick in the nuts today. Blech.

10:38 - The half could not have come soon enough. Cal has a number of issues to shore up on both sides of the ball.

A few quick issues:

• Is Jahvid Best okay? Even if he is, Maryland has absolutely shut down Cal's running game, and Cal will have to dig deep to begin opening up some better holes for their backs.
• Cal needs to shore up their 3rd down defense. They began to show flashes of improvement of this towards the end of the second half, but up until that SQT sack, Cal was absolutely atrocious on defense on 3rd downs, allowing Maryland to convert on many 3rd and longs.
• Improve in the red zone. Cal has yet to score a TD in the first half. I think this is the first time this has happened since the Cal Oregon game last year. Cal has had plenty of opportunities however.
  
• Everything good with Riley? Riley's best throws are coming on his scrambles. His simple rhythm throws leave a lot to be desired however, as he's been overthrowing on plenty of passes still.

That missed field goal was pretty huge as well. To not get anything that drive was painful.

Just remember everyone:


10:25 - THAT WAS A SAFETY.

10:20 - Best got lit the F up. @_@.

Anyone else see Best puke on the field? Or was that gatorade?

10:15 - Thompson comes off the edge for the first cornerback blitz for the first time in a while. Came at a really good time.

SQT nearly unredeemed himself though, bobbling his first punt return of the season.

By the way, that was NOT a facemask.

10:05 - Follett with the strip and recover!

And Cal gets absolutely nothing to show for it. Something is not right with this offense.

Oh and Best has been absolutely shut down. 5 rushes for -0.5 yards.

9:55 - Not scoring on that drive is pretty big. You certainly have to kick the field goal to make it a 2 score game, but the Cal's defense has been playing, not being able to get a TD on back to back drives is pretty critical. Riley still hasn't shown any touches on any of his passes just yet.

9:46 - Maryland scored. Again..

9:41 - End of the first quarter, and Cal has sputtered out of the gate in about the worst ways possible. Maryland is knocking on the door again, mainly due to Cal's inability to give up pretty huge 3rd down conversions. Not good...


9:29 - Cal gets on the board with a Seawright field goal after starting out with excellent field position on a Jahvid Best return. The Bears sputtered in the red zone however, and a busted screen play finished off Cal's drive.

9:20 - Wakeup! A nightmarish start for Cal, down 14 with not even 7 minutes into the first quarter. Maryland gets great field position after a Riley interception. No one should panic just yet, but definitely not how you want to start.

9:11 - About the best possible start for Maryland outside of a turnover. Hold Cal to a 3 and out, and put a 60 yard drive together without doing anything fancy. Not a good start for Cal.

9:04 - It's a kickoff and we have to ask if today is the day Jahvid gets his first ridiculous triple triple of the season. Best with a 34 yard gain to start the game.

And a three and out to start offensive series for Cal...