So much for making progress.

The Terrapins went from being on the cusp of the top 25 right back to the drawing board after an inexplicable 31-0 loss at woeful Virginia.The Cavaliers, who had just ended Duke's 25-game and three-year ACC losing streak a week ago with a terrible effort in Durham, dominated in all phases of the game against a Terrapins team that had won atClemsonlast week.

But that's nothing new. Maryland has been among the most inconsistent teams in the country over the past few seasons, beating teams it shouldn't and losing games it enters as heavy favorites. This season is no different -- wins over California and Clemson, losses to Middle Tennessee State andVirginia.

There are mitigating factors, particularly a banged-up secondary that couldn't afford to let Kevin Barnes sit on the sidelines to shake off the cobwebs after being part of a helmet-to-helmet hit because it didn't have the bodies to do so. But against a team like Virginia, even allowing for the rivalry factor, there are no excuses for a failure to perform, and the Terrapins did very little worthy of praise.

More to the point, after all the lip service that the team gave after its loss toMiddle Tennessee, it's still apparent that the Terps play up or down to the level of their competition. ThoughOrange Bowlscouts were in the press box for the game this week, that lack of focus keeps the team from being a contender for a marquee bowl.

CoachRalph Friedgensaid after the game that he was still having problems reaching players, but this isn't a one-year issue. It doesn't matter what the offensive system is or what the defensive game plan is if the motivation and preparedness isn't there on game day.

SEASON RECAP

Maryland 14, Delaware 7: Da'Rel Scott ran for 197 yards as part of a Terrapins ground attack that was enough to top the Blue Hens despite Maryland's struggles at quarterback. The Terps turned the ball over twice and missed three field goals, but they secured the home victory with a Terrell Skinner interception in the fourth quarter.

Middle Tennessee State 24, Maryland 14: The Blue Raiders held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and dominated the game en route to a 10-point upset on the road. Quarterback Chris Turner was intercepted three times, including a critical pick late in the fourth quarter that sealed the defeat.

Maryland 51, Eastern Michigan 24: The Terrapins offense enjoyed its best performance of the season, exploding for 51 points in a rout of EMU. Chris Turner threw for 212 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Morgan Green scored twice, and Maryland also scored on a Josh Portis run and a Danny Oquendo pass.

Maryland 20, Clemson 17: The Terrapins came back from a 17-6 deficit to hold the Tigers scoreless in the second half and stun the Death Valley fans. Darrius Heyward-Bey's 76-yard run on a reverse set up one touchdown, while Da'Rel Scott scored the game-winner in the fourth quarter.

Virginia 31, Maryland 0: The Terrapins were dominated in all phases of the game in another disappointing performance against the Cavaliers. Maryland trailed 21-0 at the half and never got back into the game.

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