Maryland (5-6, 2-6 B1G) at Rutgers (5-6, 2-6 B1G)
When: Sat., Nov. 27 | 12:01 p.m. EST
Where: SHI Stadium
Watch: Big Ten Network - Cory Provus, Matt Millen, Krystle Rich
Listen: 105.7 FM (Balt) / 980 AM (DC) - Johnny Holliday, Steve Suter
Maryland’s quest for that sixth win has come down to the final game of the season against Rutgers, something that some may have expected heading into the season. Maryland was without several key players, including quarterback Taulia Tagoaviloa, due to COVID in last year’s 27-24 overtime loss but with both teams battling the injury bug heading into Saturday, the Terps will look to return to form.
Rutgers is coming off a 28-0 loss to Penn State, where Christian Veilleux filled in for an injured Sean Clifford as the Scarlet Knights’ offense was nowhere to be found. With Rutgers entering with a 5-6 mark just like Maryland, here’s what the Terps need to do to secure a win and a bowl appearance.
1. Play to your talent level: On paper, the Terps have more talent than the Scarlet Knights but that won’t make a difference if execution isn’t there. Like Maryland, Rutgers is battling the injury bug to close the season as linebackers Olakunle Fatukasi and Tyreek Maddox-Williams were absent against Penn state and have missed time at practice this week. Rutgers was also without cornerback Patrice Rene last weekend, but the team is also battling a case of the flu following last weekend’s game against Penn State. While both teams will look to adjust and capitalize in the season-finale, Locksley has mentioned the focus on Maryland’s execution rather than how Maryland’s opponent is faring is more critical and it’s easy to understand why. Drops, pre-snap penalties, misreads, and poor route running have plagued Maryland through conference play as the Terps have dropped seven of their last eight games. So, against a Rutgers team that averages two fewer penalties a game compared to Maryland, execution will once again loom large.
2. Establish run game: Maryland finished with more rushing yards than passing yards last weekend for the first time this season. Against Rutgers, the Terps’ receivers will put up a stiff test against a quality Scarlet Knights’ secondary, but the ground game leaves room for success. Rutgers allows over 150 yards on the ground and between Tayon Fleet-Davis, Peny Boone, and Colby McDonald, Maryland will have opportunities to establish a balanced offense. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa may also have more designed runs to take advantage of that. Don’t give Rutgers easy yards or points: The Terps have been their own worst enemy all year long. Whether it’s been penalties, blown coverages, special teams misuses, costly turnovers, or missed assignments. That cannot happen against Rutgers. If Maryland continues to shoot themselves in the foot, they will give the game away. Maryland must play mostly sound football and take advantage when opportunities come their way.
3. Contain Rutgers WR Bo Melton: Rutgers does not do a lot of good things on offense given they have nine passing touchdowns on the season and are averaging less than four yards a carry. The one thing they do have going for them is wide receiver Bo Melton. He’s the only player with most than 35 catches and 300 receiving yards. He’s been their best player on offense, and with Aron Cruickshank done for the season, shutting Melton down is undoubtedly priority number one. “I think he has like over 90 targets so that means to me that he's a guy that they try to get,” Locksley said this week. Melton turned in over 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in last year’s win as Melton commands significant attention from the Terps’ defense. “His skill set, he had a pretty good game against us last year. He's one of the ones that when you watch him on offense that they try to feature him and [Isaih] Pacheco are the two guys that they try to get the ball to, we’ve got to obviously do our part to try to eliminate them as much as we can from their game plan.”
Three matchups to watch
Rutgers WR Bo Melton vs. Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett/Tarheeb Still
Either of Maryland’s top two cornerbacks can line up against Melton, but it could be Still drawing the assignment if Melton lines up in the slot. Melton will play in his 56th career game at Rutgers on Saturday and sits tenth in program history with 1,957 career receiving yards to become one of 16 players to eclipse 1,500 yards. Melton is also one of three Big Ten receivers to rank in the top six in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns and has seven games with at least 100 all-purpose yards. Maryland’s defense has struggled to minimize the big plays and on Saturday, Rutgers’ best chance to pull off the big plays starts with Melton. The veteran leads the team with 570 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 51 catches this season, but Jakorian Bennett will look to contain the perimeter as he leads all Power Five players with 14 pass breakups this season.
Rutgers RT Hollin Pierce vs. Maryland DE Sam Okuayinonu
Pierce has made ten consecutive starts at right tackle, but he’ll face a stiff test in Maryland DE Sam Okuayinonu. Rutgers has rolled out six different starting offensive lines as the unit has fought through injury, but Pierce has been a point of consistency along the offensive line as the Scarlet Knights allow two less sacks per game than Maryland. But the Terps’ defensive line has been able to find success against inferior lines as the Terps sit just one sack away from their 30th team sack, the most the Terps have generated since the 2016 season. Rutgers QB Noah Vedral has eclipsed 200 yards passing just twice this season, so forcing them to go one-dimensional boosts the Terps’ chances.
Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. Rutgers LBs
With all the questions about who will step up in the receiver room after the injuries, it’s been tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo who has taken advantage as he’s hauled in 25 catches for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 28 catches are the most receptions over a three-game span by a Maryland tight end ever and the most of any player since Torrey Smith tallied 28 back in 2018, while his 233 yards are the most yards by a Maryland tight end over three consecutive games since Vernon Davis in 2005. Okonkwo’s threat in the open field has been well documented as the Tagovailoa-Okonkwo connection is on fire, and against a Rutgers defense that is battling injuries at linebacker, Saturday could be another explosive day for the senior.
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