"It's tough because I really thought as a team we were ready," senior cornerback Nolan Carroll said. "It looked like in practice we were mentally sharp. In our walk-throughs we were sharp. We knew our assignments. We came out here and just kind of went downhill a little bit."
Cal returned 17 starters from the team that lost, 35-27, to the Terps last season in College Park. Maryland returned 10.
"I'd probably expected more from us, but I think that Cal was probably better than we expected," said quarterback Chris Turner, who completed 17 of 30 passes for 167 yards.
"I think it varies person to person, but I think the good teams get to be able to forget the losses and the wins," Turner said.
If there is a model for a successful turnaround, it might be the 2006 season, when the Terps were blasted by West Virginia, 45-24, in the third game before winning six of the next seven.
"It's a very long season," Turner said.
James Madison, a Football Championship Subdivision school (formerly Division I-AA) that, like Towson, plays in the Colonial Athletic Association, will be more rested than the Terps. The Maryland game will be the Dukes' first of the season. JMU was 12-2 last season and reached the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.
The Terps can't dwell on the Cal loss. FCS schools upset ACC teams in Week 1 - Virginia lost to William & Mary, 26-14, and Duke was beaten by Richmond, 24-16.
Maryland was evaluating the status of several injured players.
Left tackle Bruce Campbell suffered turf toe and strong safety Jamari McCollough left with a foot injury and was seen on crutches near the Maryland bench. Punt returner Tony Logan did not play because of a shoulder injury.
The health and experience of the young offensive line will likely remain a lingering concern.
"That's going to be a work in progress," Friedgen said. "If I could tell you that's going to get fixed overnight, it's not going to happen. These guys are learning on the run. It is what it is and we've got to try to make it as best as we can."
Said Costa: "We've just to get our calls down. That was big thing - communication. It was loud. [There are] a lot of young guys. A lot of wide eyes. And myself, too. I didn't play good either."
MARYLAND REWIND
Replay: : Freshman Nick Ferrara nails the first two field-goal attempts of his Maryland career, from 26 and 42 yards. The second kick pulled the Terps to within 14-6. But it was downhill from there for Maryland.
Erase: : After Cal takes a 7-0 lead, Torrey Smith fumbles the ensuing kickoff. That leads, moments later, to Jahvid Best's second touchdown run. Smith redeemed himself somewhat by returning the next kickoff 48 yards to Cal's 38.
Fast forward: : The Terps (0-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) face James Madison (0-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Byrd Stadium.
JAMES
MADISON @MARYLAND
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Radio: 105.7 FM
