The offensive game plan for Cal aimed to predict how 13 different Maryland formations would fare against varying California fronts and coverages on different downs, yard lines and situations. Passages were highlighted to show, among other things, situations where in which the Terps might have particular success.
"We studied what formations have been the most successful against them," Franklin said.
Maryland's plan for Cal relied heavily on keeping fifth-year quarterback Chris Turner out of third-and-long situations. Cal's defensive linemen were simply too good to allow them the opportunity to pressure Turner when they knew he had to pass.
Maryland's game plan contained a surprise - sporadic runs by Turner, who is not known for his mobility. The quarterback is being encouraged to run more this season to make the offense more challenging to defend. He took off for 7 yards in the first quarter and later ran for a first down.
In the language of Maryland game plans, a first-down play is considered successful if it gains at least 4 yards. Second down is successful if it gains half of the remaining yards needed for a first down. Third down is successful when a team converts a first down.
"I know this sounds crazy ... but if you really go back and watch the [Cal-Maryland] film, we moved the ball," Franklin said. "We moved the ball up and down the field, and then one of two things would happen. We'd either have a penalty or have a sack. We can't get penalties and get sacks and put ourselves in third-and-long with a young, inexperienced offensive line."
With third-year offensive tackle Bruce Campbell out of the James Madison game with turf toe, the pressure will continue to be on Maryland tonight - and likely throughout the season - to keep its untested line out of dangerous third-and-longs. "We have to be extremely efficient" on the early downs, Franklin said.
One penalty against Cal was especially maddening to Maryland coaches.
Trailing 14-0, the Terps drove deep into Cal territory when Turner tossed a touchdown pass to tight end Matt Furstenburg. But the play was called back.
"The penalty for the touchdown was because Adrian [Cannon] lined up wrong and made himself ineligible," head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We must have run that play in preseason camp 50 times with the same formation, but kids make mistakes like we all do."
