Maryland Heads to UCF for Saturday Tilt
9/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football, Terrapin Athletics
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Maryland football program returns to the Sunshine State for the second consecutive weekend as it faces the UCF Knights Saturday at 7 pm in Orlando, Fla. The meeting marks the first matchup in history between the Terps and Knights. The game will also serve as Maryland's non-conference finale before it heads into its bye week.
VISITING FANS: Keep in mind that UCF has a clear bag policy!
QUICK HITTERS
- The Maryland football team has totaled 93 points through its first two games - the second-most in program history. Only the 1927 Terrapins scored more points (106) through its first two games of the season. Additionally, Maryland has outscored its opponents 66-7 in first half play this season.
- The Terps are looking to jump out to a 3-0 record for the first time since 2013 and second time overall since Maryland's 2001 ACC Championship season.
- Maryland senior quarterback Perry Hills has impressed through two games, leading the Big Ten Conference and ranking ninth nationally in completion percentage (73.0). With his three touchdown passes against FIU, Hills jumped Shaun Hill (2000-01) for 14th on Maryland's career passing touchdown list with 20.
- Maryland is one of just seven teams in the nation yet to commit a turnover this season through its first two games. It marks the first time since the 2001 season that Maryland has not thrown an interception through its first two contests.
- Maryland features 13 players on its roster from the state of Florida, including starters Denzel Conyers, JC Jackson, William Likely and Kingsley Opara.
MARYLAND OFFENSE: BY THE NUMBERS
0 - After a season in which Maryland struggled turning the ball over, the Terrapins have managed the ball with outstanding efficiency in 2016 as they have yet to commit a turnover. The Terps are one of just seven teams in the entire FBS without a turnover - Iowa is the only other Big Ten team. It marks the first time since 2001 that Maryland has not thrown an interception through its first two games.
2 - True freshman running back Lorenzo Harrison has scored a rushing touchdown in the first two games of his collegiate career. Harrison is the first true freshman to accomplish the feat at Maryland since Josh Allen scored a rushing touchdown in his first three collegiate games (although Allen did not play in the first three games of the 2002 season). Harrison's 40-yard touchdown scamper at FIU made all the highlight reels.
6 - Sophomore wideout D.J. Moore had a career-day against FIU, posting career-highs with six catches, 147 yards and two touchdown receptions. It was the most receiving yards for a Maryland player since Levern Jacobs had 158 against Clemson on Oct. 26, 2013. Moore also completed a 21-yard pass to quarterback Perry Hills against FIU. The first completion (second attempt) of his career.
6 - An astounding six different players scored rushing touchdowns for the Terps in their season-opening win vs. Howard: Lorenzo Harrison, Jake Funk, Tyrrell Pigrome, Ty Johnson, Trey Edmunds and Kenneth Goins. It was the first time six different Maryland players scoring rushing touchdowns in at least 36 years.
7.2 - The Terrapin offense is rolling under offensive coordinator Walt Bell, reeling off 7.2 yards per play through two games. This includes 6.2 yards per rush and 8.8 yards per pass. Three of Maryland's 10 offensive touchdowns this season have come on chunk plays of more than 40 yards.
10 - Sophomore D.J. Moore currently leads all Maryland receivers with a reception in 10 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 3, 2015. Moore has been excellent since the streak began, posting 29 catches, 429 yards (14.8 yards per catch) and 4 touchdowns.
14 - Maryland's three-headed monster of Lorenzo Harrison, Trey Edmunds and Ty Johnson has had immense success in 2016 rushing the ball, with each player carrying the ball at least 14 times. The trio has collectively rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per rush.
73 - Senior quarterback Perry Hills currently leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth nationally in completion percentage (73.0) through the first two games, completing 27 of his 37 attempts. The signal caller passed for three touchdowns at FIU, matching a career-high previously set at West Virginia on Sept. 22, 2012 as a true freshman.
1500 - Senior wide receiver Teldrick Morgan (New Mexico State transfer) recorded 38 receiving yards at FIU to surpass 1,500 receiving yards for his illustrious collegiate career. Morgan is currently second on team with six catches this season.
MARYLAND DEFENSE/ST: BY THE NUMBERS
1 - It was a day of firsts for star middle linebacker Jermaine Carter, Jr., last weekend against FIU. He recorded his first career interception (which was returned for his first career touchdown), in addition to his first career sack. Carter's first quarter interception return gave the Terps a 10-0 lead and set the tone early. It is somewhat surprising Carter's first sack was just recorded, considering he is the team's active leader with 16.0 TFLs.
1 - Sophomore cornerback JC Jackson made his first career start in a Maryland uniform against FIU and did not disappoint, posting three tackles while also blanketing the Panthers' top receivers throughout the game. The Immokalee, Fla., native appeared in one game at Florida in 2014 before his season was cut short to injury, before playing at Riverside CC in 2015.
3.5 - After the departure of two defensive lineman to the NFL Draft, including the single-season sack leader Yannick Ngakoue, the Terps have received nice pass rushing production from the duo of Jesse Aniebonam and Melvin Keihn at the BUCK position. The pair have combined for 3.5 tackles for loss, including a team-high 1.5 sacks from Aniebonam.
4 - Freshman punter Wade Lees turned in an outstanding performance at FIU, punting five times with four landing inside the 15-yard line. A former Australian Rules Football player, Lees is the oldest freshman across the nation in the FBS at 28-years-old.
11 - Junior Shane Cockerille has adjusted well to the linebacker position, sharing the team lead with Jermaine Carter, Jr. for total tackles (11). Cockerille had a career-high six tackles against FIU, in addition to posting his first career tackle for loss. Less than 12 months ago, Cockerille was playing fullback for the Terps and even appearing at quarterback (vs. Indiana, 11/21/15).
13.5 - The Maryland defense has performed well through its first two games, allowing just 13.5 points per game - a mark that ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 21st nationally. Of the 27 total points allowed thus far, just seven of those points were scored in the first half.
15 - Junior placekicker Adam Greene is perfect through two games, knocking down all three field goal attempts in addition to all 12 PATs. Greene ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 10.5 points per game.
200 - Senior defensive back William Likely recorded five tackles at FIU to surpass 200 total tackles for his career. The two-time First Team All-Big Ten standout is Maryland's active leader in tackles (203), PBUs (34) and interceptions (7). He has also started on both offense and defense in both games this season - the only player to start on both sides of the ball in both 2015 and 2016.
-TERPS-
