Canada takes time to reflect on performance
Interim coach credits rest of staff with smooth opener
COLLEGE PARK – If given a second chance, there were a few things Maryland interim coach Matt Canada might have done differently in Saturday’s 34-29 victory over then-No. 23 Texas at FedEx Field.
One was to either wear the wide-brimmed hat that had become a regular fixture for the 46-year-old coach during the team’s preseason practices or apply a lot more sunscreen to his shaved head.
Perhaps even more important was to call timeout on a play that ended up with redshirt freshman quarterback Kasim Hill getting stopped for a 1-yard loss on second-and-goal from the Texas 1 early in the fourth quarter.
Instead of stretching a 31-29 lead into a two-possession game, the Terps settled for an 18-yard field goal by freshman Joseph Petrino.
“I mentioned after the game the sneak [by Hill], we had a personnel issue and I wish I would have called timeout. I should have called timeout,” Canada said at a Tuesday news conference. “Upstairs, down, that was all on me. I take full blame for that. I’m really glad we still won the football game. I think [I’m] very critical of myself and I wish I had done a better job with that.”
Canada had said after the game that it was the first time in his coaching career calling his team’s offense from the field instead of the coaches’ box. He credited his fellow assistants on both sides of the ball with helping him get through his head Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: ESPN+ Radio: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: Maryland by 16