Aug. 17--Maryland had no life left, or at least that's what the people leaving Byrd Stadium presumed on Oct. 2, 2012.
After the Terrapins had allowed North Carolina State to go ahead 20-18 on a 43-yard field goal with 32 seconds left, many felt they had seen enough. But in a matter of 30 seconds, those who stayed to watch the end thought they just might witness a miracle.
In five plays, Maryland covered 60 yards, and freshman Brad Craddock paced backward as he prepared for a 33-yard chip shot. With two seconds left, it looked like the Terps just might pull it out.
When he kicked the ball, Craddock said, he was positive it would go straight down the middle. Clank. It hit the left upright, and Maryland lost.
"It felt perfect," Craddock said. "For me, it was more of the shock that I didn't really know what I was doing. It's funny, the first time I saw Matt (Stover, the former NFL kicker who works with Craddock), I said: 'I'm raw. I don't know anything. Just start me from the bottom (and) build me up.'
"That N.C. State game was a changing point in my career. I was either going to go home or do everything I can to be the best. ...I'm still annoyed about that kick and it's still a sore spot in my life, but it motivates me, gets me better and I'm glad it happened."
The senior from Australia is now the nation's best kicker, winner of the Lou Groza Award in 2014. He made 18 of 19 field-goal attempts last season -- including a 57-yarder against Ohio State and his first career game-winner at Penn State -- and is 49 of 60 for his career.
Maryland coach Randy Edsall said at times it's too easy to rely on a player he knows will come through.
"It's great to have somebody like Brad who is as consistent as he is," Edsall said. "But then also it's sometimes a little bit of a crutch in terms of making those decisions because you know you've got a guy that can put the ball through consistently.
"The fact that he came here as a punter from Australia and then worked very, very hard to become a kicker -- and then to become the best kicker in the country -- is a tremendous story for him."
For Craddock, the most important thing is to avoid being complacent -- not only in his individual role, but also for the team. The Terps jumped from 4-8 in 2012 to 7-6 the last two years, making back-to-back bowl appearances but losing both games.
Both the Terps and Craddock are focused on doing some damage in their second Big Ten season and less on past accomplishments.
"The Groza was an awesome experience, and I was blessed to be down there," he said of the ceremony in Florida. "I'm trying not to focus on it too much because it's done. ... I've got to look forward to this season and what I've got to do against Richmond in the first game."
rhwalker@tribpub.com
Reason to believe: If Maryland's offense can continue its upward trend from last year, it would go a long way in helping a defense that finished 12th in total yards in the Big Ten. The Terps offense had five games of 400-plus yards. Keep-away could be the name of the game with an improved line and strong running game with Wes Brown and Brandon Ross.
Reason for doubt: A seven-game stretch in the middle of the season is absolutely brutal. Maryland will play at West Virginia, Michigan, at Ohio State, Penn State, at Iowa, Wisconsin and at Michigan State. Coach Randy Edsall says the order doesn't matter because he knew the Terps would have to play them all eventually. They went 3-4 against those teams last season but were outscored 181-83 in the four losses.
Big hole to fill: QB C.J. Brown did a lot more for the Terps than just toss the ball around; he was also their leading rusher. Maryland returns 54 percent of its rushing yards from last season in Wes Brown and Ross, but who will step up to replace the 161 carries, 539 yards and eight touchdowns C.J. Brown recorded?
Breakout player: WR Levern Jacobs returns after being suspended for the 2014 season. On a team looking for a breakout receiver, Jacobs could fill that role if he returns to his 2013 form -- 640 yards, three touchdowns and an eight-catch, 158-yard performance against Clemson.
Season is a success if: Maryland finishes with a winning road record. The Terps play at West Virginia, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State and Rutgers. In 2014, Maryland won a Big Ten-best five road games.
