Virginia Shell Shocks Maryland and the ACC: Will it Last?

On a cool night in Charlottesville, Va., fans piled in Scott Stadium with their signs and a noticeable frustration.  They were expecting a blowout and the 31-0 final score may have well been their prediction.

As for the actual victor, that was quite a different story.

The Maryland Terrapins entered this ACC rivalry with an incredible amount of momentum.  The Terps had knocked out the ACC favorite Clemson 20-17, they had embarrassed the Cal Bears at home and were coming to a place where they had overcome a 20-0 deficit in 2006 to pull out an improbable victory. 

Oh yeah, they had also lost in the final seconds at home last year to the Cavaliers and were nearly a two-touchdown favorite against a team that had not scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game this season!

Well boys and girls, that's why they play the game: Virginia did not just stun Maryland for the victory, they beat them in every single phase of the game.

The heroes for Virginia were many, but credit should first be given to Cedric Peerman.  The senior running back has been plagued by injury his entire career, but when he is even somewhat healthy, opponents can see just how valuable he is to his team. 

Peerman was listed as questionable before the game, but he left little doubt to just how good he is as he ran right through the Terp defense.

Peerman's physicality ignited a much maligned offensive line that finally began to look like a unit worthy of FCS competition.  When Peerman went out with his 110 yards, junior Mikell Simpson picked up where he left off with his incredible speed. 

Maryland may not have let Simpson go off for over 300 all-purpose yards like last year, but that is only because the other Virginia playmakers had already taken care of business.

Quarterback Marc Verica, in just his third start of his career, had a night to remember.  Last week against Duke he fell apart with four interceptions and led Virginia to a humiliating loss.

This night he was unstoppable, finding Kevin Ogletree twice in the air (the first time a 51-yard dart to get the crowd going) and even scampering in for a touchdown.

He was efficient, he was accurate and he did not turn the ball over.  Verica did exactly what his team needed him to do, and it could not have come at a better time.

Now that the Pete Lalich fallout has passed, maybe Virginia is better off with a good and talented youngster like Verica behind center.  Verica knows the role of being a back-up well; he never got his shot at high school until injuries thrust him in the spotlight. 

Verica did not shy away from it, and his stellar play earned him a spot at Virginia.  Now his stellar play at Maryland might just earn Virginia a chance to save their season.

The offense was impressive, but the defense also played inspired football.  Virginia's young players like Corey Mosley and Cam Johnson proved that they will be future stars for the Orange Crush Defense.  However, the biggest names on the Virginia defense were Clint Sintim and Ras-I Dowling. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?