Coming off of a bye week, the University of Maryland started slow in their Homecoming game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Trailing 14-0 early, the Terrapins would answer positively; and go to the half leading by three.
After the break, the Terps would pull away – ultimately winning 38-31. With the victory, the Terps move to 5-2 overall, 2-1 in The Big Ten.
This is a game MD needed to have. MD had the extra week to prepare. They had the fresh legs. They were at home. The quick lead from Iowa had me concerned. Credit to Coach Edsall’s Terps for battling back, and getting the needed win.
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Quick Hits:
1) Before the game, it was announced that backup QB Caleb Rowe was done for the year with an ACL injury. That obviously makes it all the more necessary that CJ Brown continues to be available for the Terps. (This became an immediate story, when Brown was knocked out of the game for several series in the 2nd half.) It was an up-and-down 1st half for the 6th year MD QB. Brown contributed to MD’s horrible start, throwing a pick on Maryland’s first offensive play. That would directly lead to an Iowa TD.
Maryland had to settle for a 41 yard FG from Craddock (making it 14-10) when Brown was dropped for a 5 yard loss on 3rd and 1. Brown’s line certainly shared in the blame there though.
Brown also took a chance for points off the board with under 20 seconds in the half, when he was picked off on 3rd down. MD had been at the Iowa 34.
On the positive side of the ledger, MD’s first lead of the day (17-14) was the direct result of Brown making something from nothing. Facing 3rd and 9 at the Iowa 22, it looked like Brown would be dropped for a loss. Instead he scampered for the 1st. With a penalty tacked on to the play, MD had a 1st and Goal the Iowa for. Several players later, MD woudl score.
2) Iowa looked like a stereotypical Big Ten team. Lots of size on both sides of the line. Limited speed. There were times where their size dictated the action, but there was also times where MD’s speed advantages made a difference.
3) Jr. WR Marcus Leak dropped a catch he should have had in the 1st half, which looked like a possible TD. Later in the 1st half, he dropped another – though the degree of difficult was higher on that play. In the 3rd Quarter, Leak did have a nice block to help Diggs score in the 3rd.
4) MD initially pulled within a TD (14-7), when Sophomore Jacquille Veii refused to go down, and rushed 25 yards for the Terps first score.
5) One of the areas where MD took advantage of their speed advantage was with their pass rush. After the initial couple of series, we saw consistent pressure from Andre Monroe, Darius Kilgo, and Yannick Ngakoue.
6) Diggs broke out a bit today. His 53 yard 3rd Quarter TD, extending MD’s lead to 10 (24-14). Diggs finished with 9 receptions, for 130 yards, and the score.
7) In relief of Brown, Hills had some positives. The TD to Diggs was a nice quick decision. He had a couple of designed runs. The biggest thing was that the did not cost MD points in his initial series with MD backed-up.
8) A huge 4th Quarter play from Will Likely, as he jumped the route for the pick 6. This put MD up 31-21 with 12:29 remaining.
9) With Brown back-in at QB, MD closed the game out with another TD drive in the 4th. Wes Brown found the end-zone for the 2nd time, putting MD up 17 with 5 minutes remaining.
10) Maryland has struggled running the ball this year. Today they went over 200 yards, with CJ Brown leading the way with his 97 on 19 attempts. Brandon Ross had 35 on his 9 carries before leaving with an ankle injury.
11) True Freshman Juwann Winfree, and Jesse Aniebonam continue to see increased time. Winfree had 2 catches (and a penalty). Aniebonam had some pressure.
12) Etta-Tawo had 3 receptions. Deon Long’s disappointing season continued, as he did not have a grab on the day. Figuring out how to get him going consistently should be a priority.
13) Matt Robinson was finally back in the lineup today, but was injured with 90 seconds remaining.
14) Up 17 points with 5 minutes left, MD found themselves having to defend Iowa in the last minute of the game – with the game still in the balance.
15) Maryland will be back on the road next week, heading to Wisconsin (4-2, 1-1) to face the Badgers.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.