Maryland Sends Ralph Friedgen Out a Winner over Classless East Carolina

Ralph Friedgen goes out a winner and a big winner at that.

The Maryland Terrapins destroyed East Carolina 51-20, but the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. The Pirates decided to not cover assignments or tackle in the second half and then scored a garbage touchdown against the Maryland third-string late.

Da’Rel Scott had one of the best games of his career, having touchdown runs of 61 and 91 and accruing 200 yards on the ground.

DJ Adams also pulled an Al Bundy and had four rushing touchdowns.

Friedgen goes out as classy and a winner as he came in. The players rallied around him and gave their coach their best effort and then some. They played hard on every play, the defensive was stellar, forcing pressure on Dom Davis all day, forcing him into multiple turnovers.

Davis did have some very pretty throws though.

A downside of the game, though, was the attitude of the ECU players who came out with a thug-like mentality, taking cheap shots and late hits whenever they possibly could on a Maryland player. Not sure what their motivation for that was as the teams have never played in their history.

It could have been disrespect, but I haven’t heard anything that points to Maryland disrespecting them. During the luncheon the other day, it was ECU guys picking fights with Maryland guys and randomly shoving players to start something.

There was only pushing and shoving, thank god, and no actual punches were thrown.

Nonetheless, ECU showed how classless they were though by hitting high and late after the whistle, trying to tweak knees and legs of Maryland receivers and running backs, then needlessly jawing at the Maryland sideline after a four-yard gain.

ECU deserved the butt-whipping that they received and Friedgen deserved a much better opponent in a much better bowl.

Ralph Friedgen will always be the last memory of this bowl game and of this season. The result of the game will always be a happy afterthought.