NFL
By: Nathan Snell
For two weeks in a row, we have seen growing pains and heard the same old tune calling for head coach Mike Locksley’s job.
UCLA, it has been a season; a documentary should be created. Let’s recap:
September 14th: Deshaun Foster fired after a 0-3 start. Tim Skipper was named interim.
September 17th: Ikaika Malloe fired. Tini Sunseri stepped down. Jerry Neusheisel and Kevin Coyle were named interim offensive and defensive coordinators for the remainder of the season.
Over the past two weeks, two teams have been tested in battle and have learned how to develop their skills. This weekend, the Terrapins will compete against a rising Bruins team that has made notable achievements since October 4th. UCLA beat then-No. 7 Penn State, becoming the first team since 1985 to start the season 0-4 and still beat a ranked opponent. The UTEP Miners defeated BYU, another No. 7 team.
Maryland can still turn some heads and be bowl-eligible. They need only two more wins. For the Terrapins, this is the start of an interesting four-game road trip. This team is one that many should not take for granted or play down as competition. Let’s preview the game.
Nathan’s Keys to Victory!
Maryland’s Run Game should continue the momentum.
When reviewing footage of the Terrapins, the main glaring issue is—you guessed it—the run game. Maryland now employs a West Coast RPO system, with Pep Hamilton in his first season as offensive coordinator, who should leverage the Bruins’ run defense, which allowed nearly 200 yards rushing per game before the coaching change; it’s uncertain what to expect now. After last week, the Terrapins had 31 carries for 130 yards against the Cornhuskers. Can the Terrapins carry that momentum against the Bruins?
This UCLA Team is different.
Since the coaching changes for UCLA, there have been multiple improvements on both sides of the ball. One area that has seen progress is the penalties, which are something the Terrapins need to watch in this game as well. 30 penalties in the first three games? Since Coach Skipper has taken over…Zero. Other observations to note: situational football has improved for the Bruins as well.
Who Bends? Who Breaks?
- UCLA is the worst at stopping offenses on third down.
- Maryland’s defense missed 24 tackles last week.
- Nico Lamaleava has not thrown an interception in the last three games.
- Maryland leads with 12 interceptions defensively—three last week against Nebraska.
This is a game that will feature two teams giving it everything they have on Saturday. Malik Washington stated that a players’ only meeting took place on Monday, and everything feels like UCLA gets the win. But the Terps are reminded of the score in the fourth quarter against each opponent.
