Turner, who started eight games last season when Steffy was sidelined after suffering a concussion, was 13 of 28 for 207 yards, 80 of them coming on a screen pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey for a touchdown. Heyward-Bey caught only two other passes for 10 yards.
"I could have played better for sure," said Turner, whose final interception with 2:18 remaining came after he drove the Terps to the Middle Tennessee 5-yard line. "I am not happy with the way I played. It won't happen again."
The victory for Middle Tennessee (1-1) came a year after the Blue Raiders nearly knocked off Virginia, also at home. The loss will certainly add to the pressure the Terps (1-1) feel when they return home Saturday to play California at Byrd Stadium. The Golden Bears pummeled Washington State yesterday, 66-3.
Friedgen knows his team has responded before to difficult defeats to lesser-known opponents.
"I remember when we went to Northern Illinois and lost a tough one and came back and won 10 games and played in the Gator Bowl," Friedgen said, referring to the 2003 season opener. "These games are hard.
"That's why you play the games. That's my job, to get them ready to play.
It is also a case of the Terps listening to Friedgen - or not.
"They've got to start trusting me that I'm not just a coach who talks the talk," he said. "Maybe they will, maybe they won't. If they want to have a good football team they will."
play it again
Middle Tennessee 24, Maryland 14
What Went Right: Da'Rel Scott continues to prove that he is a top-rate running back. After rushing for a career-high 197 yards last week against Delaware, Scott had 123 yards on 11 carries, including a 63-yard touchdown run.
What Went Wrong: The defense was shredded by Blue Raiders quarterback Joe Craddock and a bunch of quick receivers. On offense, Chris Turner was picked off three times in the second half. Even the punt-return unit was faked out for a 30-yard pass to set up Middle Tennessee's first touchdown.
Defining Moment: After Darrius Heyward Bey's 80-yard touchdown on a bubble screen pass helped cut Maryland's deficit to 17-14 with 2:15 left in the third quarter, the Blue Raiders came right back with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Craddock to freshman Malcolm Beyah.
What It Means: Considering that Middle Tennessee has the youngest team in the country, and that the Blue Raiders lost last week at home to Troy by two touchdowns, it could be the signal for a long season for the Terps if they don't turn it around quickly.
Up Next: The Terps will host California (2-0) at Byrd Stadium. The noon start could help Maryland if the Bears have jetlag. But given the way Cal took apart Washington State yesterday, it could mean a tough week for Maryland defensive coordinator Chris Cosh.
Don Markus
Next game: Home vs. California, Saturday, noon
TV: ESPN or ESPN2
Radio: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM
