The Maryland football team recently completed its non-conference slate with an unblemished record for just the second time since 2001. The trio of victories set the table for the Terps' bye week, before it begins Big Ten play Oct. 1 against Purdue for Homecoming.
The Terps have been impressive in many facets throughout their first three games. Check out some of the highlights:
Protecting the Ball
The Terrapins are the only Power-5 program and one of just three programs in the entire FBS that have not committed a turnover this season (knocks on wood). Meanwhile, the Terrapin defense has produced five turnovers. Maryland's turnover margin of +1.7/g ranks eighth in the country.
The Hills Evolution
Maryland's ability to protect the ball goes hand-in-hand with much-improved quarterback play from senior Perry Hills, who has shown increased composure and comfort under the leadership of offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Hills has led the Terps to a trio of victories, making way for freshman Tyrrell Pigrome in the first two games with victories well in reach. The fifth-year signal caller has completed passes to 14 different players in three games, while connecting on passes as a 62 percent rate.
Standout Freshman
True freshman Lorenzo Harrison has quickly made a name for himself through his first three career collegiate games, racking up 208 yards on 6.5 yards/carry and three rushing touchdowns. Harrison currently ranks second among all true freshman running backs in FBS with 69.3 rush yards per game. He is also the first Maryland running back since Josh Allen (2002) to rush for a touchdown in each of his first three collegiate games.
Running Rampant
Speaking of the running game, the Terrapins currently rank second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 266.7 rushing yards/game. The three-headed monster of Harrison, Trey Edmunds and Ty Johnson have combined for 485 yards (6.6 yards/carry) and five rushing scores in three games. All of this is without Wes Brown, who has more than 1,000 career rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and is set to return against Purdue after a three game suspension.
Linebacker Corps Solidifies
Butkus Award Watch List member Jermaine Carter, Jr. seems to have found himself an excellent partner in junior Shane Cockerille, who spent the first three seasons of his career on the offense. Cockerille appears to be getting better with each game he plays at the WILL, including a career-high 14-tackle performance this past weekend against UCF. He currently leads the Terps with 25 tackles in three games.
Carter, meanwhile, continues to anchor a Maryland defense which is allowing just 17.0 points/game. The steadying force picked up right where he left off last season, posting 22 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and a forced fumble.
What Will Likely Do Next?
Senior William Likely III has been largely quiet in the return game, simply for the fact that teams are not giving him a chance as they routinely kick short or out of bounds. Likely flashed his brilliance against UCF with a 64-yard kick return to open the second half, but this resulted in two squib kicks on each subsequent UCF kickoff (not a bad weapon to have). Defensively, Likely is third on the team in tackles after a career-high 14-tackle performance at UCF, and also ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (4.0).
Rushing the Passer
Possibly Maryland's greatest question mark heading into 2016 was how it would replace Quinton Jefferson and Yannick Ngakoue, who were both selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. Junior Jesse Aniebonam has quickly filled in as a top pass rusher for the Terps, leading the way from the BUCK position with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Anibonam was specatacular against UCF, totaling a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss.
Playing the Youngsters
Head coach DJ Durkin has not shied away from using true freshman this season, playing 14 different rookies through Week 3. The only true freshman to start every game? 28-year-old punter Wade Lees, who is the oldest freshman in the nation. The Australian native has pinned opposing teams inside the 20-yard line on nine of his 16 punts thus far.
