For one half, it appeared as if this lost season was on the verge of resurrection. For two quarters, Virginia's offense ran efficiently and the defense performed consistently. For 30 minutes, it seemed as if the Cavaliers were on the verge of pulling themselves out of laughingstock status and into contention in a muddled ACC Coastal Division race.
But it was not to be. Like a mirage in a sun-stricken desert, the hope engendered by Virginia's success in the first half was shattered by reality in the second half, as the Cavaliers allowed Maryland to score 28 unanswered points en route to a stunning come-from-behind win on Virginia's home turf.
Virginia's performance in the first half seemed too good to be true, and it was. Only a cursory glance at the statistics is required to see the complete picture of this sad tale of two halves.
Offensively, Virginia posted 31 fewer yards rushing and 55 fewer passing yards in the second half than it did in the first half. But perhaps most tellingly, the Cavaliers converted on only one of six third-down opportunities in the second half.
Defensively, the Cavaliers also sagged a bit in the second half. After a first half in which Virginia's defense held the Terrapins to three punts, an interception and a missed field goal, the second half saw Maryland score three offensive touchdowns.
The most significant defensive lapse occurred when Maryland running back Keon Lattimore burst around the edge and took it to the house for a 56-yard touchdown run that gave the Terrapins a 21-20 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
What cost Virginia the most, however, were two second-half gaffes committed by the special teams unit. The Cavaliers were in control of the game with a 20-0 lead when Emmanuel Byers fumbled a punt, giving Maryland new life as the Terrapins found themselves with a first-and-goal situation at Virginia's one-yard line. Lance Ball gained that one yard on the next play to put Maryland on the scoreboard.
With just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, Virginia's special teams failed again. Chris Gould shanked a 16-yard punt that gave Maryland great starting field position at Virginia's 31-yard line. Six plays later, Virginia's lead was narrowed to 20-14 as Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach ran the ball in for a touchdown.
Three bright spots for Virginia could be found in the play of sophomore wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and redshirt freshman quarterback Jameel Sewell, as well as the effort put forth by the offensive line to open holes for the running game.
Ogletree continued to show why he has become Virginia's main go-to receiver as he hauled in two touchdown receptions.
In the first half, Sewell looked the best he has all season, both in passing and running the ball. He showed his mobility early in the first quarter as he scampered 36 yards for a touchdown run. It was only the second game this season that Virginia has scored first.
Sewell showed a lot of promise as he threw for 243 yards and two touchdown passes. But there were also numerous occasions where he displayed how much work he has left to do. He telegraphed several passes throughout the day and Maryland's defense finally made him pay for it in the fourth quarter. Terrapins linebacker Erin Henderson jumped in front of Virginia tight end Jonathan Stupar to pick off a Sewell pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown that gave the Terrapins a 28-20 lead with eight minutes remaining in the game.
Virginia posted its best rushing numbers of the year (181 yards), led by Sewell who scrambled for 92 yards and tailback Jason Snelling, who totaled 81 yards on 21 carries.
The Cavaliers have to put this bitter loss behind them quickly, as North Carolina comes into Scott Stadium for a nationally televised contest between two struggling teams trying to salvage anything positive from otherwise dreary seasons. As embarrassing as some of Virginia's losses have been this season, none would compare to a home defeat at the hands of a terrible Tar Heels squad on ESPN.
It is too late for Virginia to dream of reaching bowl eligibility (the Cavaliers would have to win four of their final five games for that to happen), but it is not too late for the program to regain some respectability. Virginia needs at least another win, if not two or three, to prevent this season from being a total wash.
The pain from Saturday's loss will not be erased easily. But to keep this season from becoming an unmitigated disaster, Virginia must win Thursday night under the lights at Scott Stadium.
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