NFL
By: Nathan Snell
The Terrapins’ winning streak now stands at eighteen straight non-conference games. In their final non-conference game, Maryland routed Towson, 44-17, Saturday Afternoon.
This is the fourth season in five years that Maryland has started the season strong, 3-0. However, after this week, it is a different territory for the Terrapins. Next Saturday, they will face Wisconsin, which is more of a challenge than Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, and Towson.
The Breakdown
“All Three”
Well, since the FAU game, all three Maryland quarterbacks saw the field. Redshirt freshman Khristian Martin completed seven passes for 15 yards. Roman Jensen was in for the fourth quarter after the two-minute warning, but recorded a negative one yard in rushing. It is fair to say Malik Washington is the number one starting quarterback. He finished the game with a career-high 261 yards and one touchdown.
Can The Running Back Group Come to the Front
Roman Hemby is no longer here. The question is, how would the run be affected? Coming into the game Saturday, the Terrapins ranked 105th in FBS, and the 99 yards on the ground ranked 118th. Against the Tigers, there were signs of progression. Towson allowed 38 carries against Morgan State. Maryland ran the ball 42 times Saturday. One hundred fifty-two total yards, but against the Tigers, Nolan Ray, for example, as the number one running back, struggled to find lanes. His longest carry was five yards. It wouldn’t surprise many if Dejuan Williams becomes the number one running back at some point. Iverson Howard as well. Williams, on 12 attempts, gained 47 yards. Howard had 15 carries for 60 yards.
Bottom Line. Big Ten Play starts next. If our running game can’t find its stride, it’s going to be a long season.
Towson is Good, but is No Maryland
The Tigers are now 0-4 against the Terrapins, after upsetting Norfolk and Morgan State, respectively. Andrew Indorf made a questionable pass in the endzone that led to a 100-yard pick-six touchdown by La’khi Roland.
As an offense, Towson could not find their stride, converting one of twelve third-down attempts. Maryland’s defense showed. In three games, a total of 33 points has been allowed. The closest was the 2001 Terrapins, who were there for the first three games; they surrendered 30 points.
Wisconsin is no Towson.
Next week, Maryland will see a familiar face. Billy Edwards Jr., who started last season, is now a Badger. But he has missed two games due to a knee injury. Danny O’Neil would be the go-ahead starter if Edwards is not ready to go next week.
