The Maryland football team lost the yardage but won the war.
Terrapins kicker Brad Craddock kicked a 43-yard field goal with 51 seconds left to beat Penn State 20-19 on a Saturday that started off with pushing, shoving, handshake dissing and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty before the opening kick took place.
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The two teams engaged in an altercation during pregame warmups, as SB Nation reported. One portion of the fracas involved Maryland player Stefon Diggs pushing a referee in the face - although that looked inadvertent.
Ironically, that wasn't what triggered the penalty that was called against the Terps. Kansas Twitter accounts favorites "Fire Charlie Weis" tweet After the teams cleared the field and the captains came out for the pregame coin toss, Penn State's captains walked over to shake the hands of the Maryland captains. The Terrapins did not budge or extend their hands.
They received the 15-yard penalty on the opening kickoff, and the Nittany Lions were able to capitalize by driving for a field goal on their first possession for a 3-0 lead. That field goal looked as if it was going to be critical in a game that featured just 413 total yards from both teams combined, six turnovers and 19 punts.
According to Larry Brown Sports, Maryland coach Randy Edsall apologized for his team's coin-toss inaction after the game.
"I apologize," he said. "That was not orchestrated or choreographed. ... You know what, let the rivalry begin."
Not exactly a harsh judgment against his own team by Edsall.
The Terrapins scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to rally from a 16-7 deficit. The big blow came when the Nittany Lions fumbled a kickoff after a Craddock 25-yard field goal that pulled Maryland within 16-10.
Had the Terrapins lost, it would've been interesting to listen to Edsall's comments about the penalty.
Do you think the ACC should give Maryland any additional penalties for its captains' refusal to shake hands before the game against Penn State? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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