Game one is officially in the books as Maryland defeated West Virginia 30-24 in the first win over the Mountaineers since 2013. Maryland’s offense started off firing on all cylinders as kicker Joseph Petrino knocked in his first of three field goals on the game’s first drive before the Mountaineers retook the lead. Wide receiver Dontay Demus set a new career-high with 133 receiving yards on six catches, but wide receiver Rakim Jarrett wasn’t far behind as he finished with 122 receiving yards on six catches including the game-sealing 60-yard touchdown reception. Meanwhile, freshman linebacker Branden Jennings forced his first career fumble while veteran safety Nick Cross notched his first interception of the season.
As Maryland moves to 1-0 with Howard looming ahead of next weekend, we break down our biggest takeaways from Saturday’s win.
Takeaways:
Maryland’s passing attack is legit
Between Dontay Demus and Rakim Jarrett, Maryland registered 255 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns as the two combined for 12 catches on 16 targets. Fleet-Davis finished the game with four catches while RB Isaiah Jacobs and TE Chig Okonkwo both registered a trio of catches, while veteran receiver Darryl Jones saw ample playing time in the win. Jeshaun Jones wasn't spotted until the second half where he tallied seven yards on a pair of catches and targets, but the Terps' offensive success was expected to come through the air and that's what happened. Maryland finished the night with 332 passing yards, more offense than the Mountaineers were able to amass during the entire game. The unit still suffered a handful of drops on Saturday but overall, as good as advertised.
RBs have room to grow
Maryland’s rushing attack was limited on Saturday as Fleet-Davis, Challen Faamatau and Isaiah Jacobs saw snaps. As expected, Maryland leaned on the passing attack to get them down the field while turning to the run game to pick up the short yardage. Fleet-Davis once again showcased himself as a receiving back, making a one-handed catch in the second quarter that mimicked his catch back in the spring game, as he reeled in all three of his targets for 11 yards. Isaiah Jacobs was another who was productive in space after recording a first-down in the first quarter off a screen pass. Fleet-Davis was the clear alpha dog for the unit, but the Terps struggled in short yardage situations. That was evident on the final drive of the first half where the Terps had a 3rd-and-2 at the WVU 2 yard line when Fleet-Davis rushed for a one-yard loss, wiping away the possibility for a touchdown as Petrino knocked his second field goal through.
Better pocket presence from QB Taulia Tagovailoa
The second-year starter was able to limit his mistakes on Saturday as he showed off his improved pocket presence. The Mountaineers posed problems with a starting defensive line that featured both Akheem Mesidor and Dante Stills, but Tagovailoa leaned on his mobility to avoid the pressure and extend plays. That mindset didn’t aid the Terps in the second quarter when Tagovailoa was met in the backfield on the first fourth-down attempt, but gone were the errant throws and misreads. A handful of throws were timely, but set the receivers up for a big hit within in the Mountaineer defense as that’s an area Tagovailoa can improve on.
Lack of discipline
The self-inflicted wounds were rampant once again on Saturday. The most glaring lack of focus came in the first half when Maryland was able to stop West Virginia on third down, but an offsides call gave the Mountaineers another chance. They didn’t have to wait long as running back Leddie Brown punched in for his third touchdown on the game. Also in the first half, safety Nick Cross came down with his first interception of the season but a taunting call on DL Ami Finau pinned Maryland’s offense back at their own 15 yard line. Those are the plays that will lose Maryland the toss-up games and the exact type of plays that Locksley referenced this fall.
Another theme that has plagued the Terps for years reemerges on Saturday as missed tackles ran rampant through the defense. Troubling sign but one that will garner full attention heading into week two.
Third-downs efficiency
Defensively, Maryland was able to force a pair of sacks on third down while defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite was able to deflect one pass at the line of scrimmage. A big break came on the final defensive play of the third quarter when LB Branden Jennings forced a fumble with DE Lawtez Rogers recovering the football. For all that the pass defense left to be desired, the front seven was able to win the battles in the trenches to force the Mountaineers to convert just three of their nine second-half attempts.
Conversely, the Terps’ third-down offense left much to be desired as the offense finished 8-of-20 on the day. Maryland started the day converting two of their first three attempts, but was just 1-for-8 through the second and third quarter as the offense seemingly lost all momentum. Running back Isaiah Jacobs flashed in the fourth quarter as he accounted for all three third-down conversions to help the offense tack on a field goal and retake a 23-21 lead early in the fourth quarter. Just like the first quarter, Maryland was able to convert four of their five third-down attempts to seal the victory, but the midway offensive lull raised red flags for OC Dan Enos’ unit.
Woeful special teams coverage
Maryland gave up a pair of big returns on Saturday as the special teams unit left the most to be desired. West Virginia WR Winston Wright accounted for over 210 kick return yards as the first rush set the Mountaineers up at the Terps 2 yard-line before punching it in on the next play. The second big return came after the Terps retook the 23-21 lead, setting the Mountaineer offense up in Maryland territory before Doege threw an interception to Jakorian Bennett in the end zone. Lot of work to do for special teams coordinator Ron Zook heading into next week.
Notes
The five penalties were a concern on Saturday, but the silver lining? Not one was attributed to the offensive line. The offensive line was responsible for a pair of sacks, though one falls on Tagoavailoa in the final minutes of the first-half. It’s been the position group subject to scrutiny by head coach Mike Locksley through camp as the Terps iron out the rotation, but given the rotation today between Duncan and Glaze, it’s a positive sign for what’s to come.
Despite junior Jaelyn Duncan in the two-deep, it was Delmar Glaze who drew the start on Saturday and was working with the starting unit for the first two drives. After Duncan came in for the next series, it appeared that Glaze and Duncan rotated series with Glaze seeing significant playing time.
Head coach Mike Locksley noted that WR Jeshaun Jones was battling a foot injury during fall camp but would be expected back for today’s opener, but did not see him on the field in the first half. Another that Locksley mentioned was nicked in camp was RB Peny Boone (concussion), another who did not account for a snap on Saturday.
LB Gereme Spraggins found his way onto the field while LB Branden Jennings filled in for an injured Fa’Najae Gotay. Freshmen defensive lineman Darrell Jackson also took snaps in the second half while outside linebacker Demeioun ‘Chop’ Robinson was advertised on obvious passing Dow’s as expected.