Maryland took full advantage of Saturday’s 62-0 win over Howard on Saturday, the final tune-up before the Terps kickoff Big Ten play on Friday. Maryland was also able to roll out nearly the entire dressed roster in the win to give the younger Terps the much-needed game reps, but what stuck out from the win? Where are there still areas for improvement? We break down our observations of the good, bad, and ugly as Maryland moves to 2-0.
Good: offensive efficiency
Maryland took care of what they needed to on Saturday, but what stuck out was the efficiency of the pass attack in Saturday’s win. Tagovailoa looked fluid in the pocket and took advantage of the defensive breakdowns, once again failing to force a throw into an ill-advised window as they rode the passing attack to victory.
The rushing attack also had an efficient day with Tayon Fleet-Davis finding space along the outside. And while head coach Mike Locksley noted running back Isaiah Jacobs missed the game due to a turf toe suffered the week prior, Maryland was able to bask in Peny Boone’s first reps as he flashed his improved speed with his special blend of power. Boone drew the goal-line carries on Saturday as he fills that niche heading into week three, rounding out the rushing attack, but the efficiency through the air was hard to ignore.
Maryland spread the ball out to ten different receivers as Demus, Rakim Jarrett, Carlos Carriere, and Chigoziem Okonkwo all accounted for one touchdown each, but Saturday marked a key game for the offense to get game reps to further enhance the QB/WR chemistry. That resulted in a second 100-yard performance from Dontay Demus, becoming the first Terp since Stefon Diggs to amass back-to-back 100-yard performances. This is a pass-first team that knows they have the talent to run behind Fleet-Davis, Isaiah Jacobs, or Peny Boone, but the offensive efficiency sticks out heading into week three.
Another positive aspect of Saturday’s game was the return of Ahmad McCullough as the Terps’ inside linebacker depth is a concern following the loss of Fa’Najae Gotay. Defensive tackle Almosse Titi also made his season debut while Taizse Johnson, Antwain Littleton, Beau Brade, Tai Felton, Colby McDonald, and Roman Hemby also basked in ample second-half reps. Maryland was also able to mostly replace the starting offensive line in the second half with Mason Lunsford and Aric Harris at left guard and center, but Delmar Glaze entered the game at RT, Ja’Khi Green at RG and Marcus Finger at RT.
Bad: special teams
‘Bad’ is a stretch for this, but Maryland raised concerns in the return game on the game’s first two punt returns, first a fumble by Tarheeb Still followed by a bobbled catch by Jeshaun Jones. The Terps were able to retain possession as Still jumped on the loose ball, helping Maryland win the turnover battle for a second week, but it’s a phase of Maryland football that still remains a work in progress. The expectation is that Still remains the primary returner on punts, but special teams coordinator Ron Zook has work to do with his unit.
Ugly: unforced errors
Maryland suffered the undisciplined penalties in week one that plagued the team in 2020, but on Saturday, glimpses of those miscues reemerged. Of the five penalties on Maryland, two of the calls were offsides on a pair of Maryland starters in Lawtez Rogers and Sam Okuayinonu. Though Maryland limited the number of unforced errors in Saturday’s win, the fact that these penalties are attributed to a pair of starters remains troubling. It’s the exact type of penalty that head coach Mike Locksley once referred to as “all correctable,” but it’s also the type of penalties that Maryland needs to grow out of with Big Ten play set to begin this week.