INDIANA (3-4, 0-4 B1G)
at
MARYLAND (3-4, 1-3 B1G)
October 28, 2017 || Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium || 3:30 pm
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Maryland is in search of its first victory against Indiana since 2014 as it welcomes the Hoosiers for Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 28, to Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. The victory in 2014 marked Maryland's first-ever Big Ten Conference win in its first season as a member of the conference.
Matchups between Maryland and Indiana over the last three seasons have proven to be high-scoring affairs, with the Terps averaging 33.7 points and Hoosiers averaging 34.7 points in the three meetings. In last season's meeting then-sophomore Ty Johnson ran for 142 yards and a touchdown (10.9 yards/carry) and DJ Moore totaled five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Maryland defensive back Josh Woods intercepted his second pass of the season against Wisconsin last weekend. The interception marked Maryland's eighth through seven games this season. For comparison's sake, the Terps notched just five picks last year. Maryland ranks third in the Big Ten with a +5 turnover margin (+0.71/g), having lost the turnover battle just once in 2017 (UCF).
The Terps have played the toughest strength of schedule nationally so far in 2017, as its opponents have accumulated a 27-9 overall record (.750). Overall, Maryland is on pace to play the toughest schedule in the country with its cumulative opposition currently posting a 49-20 record (.710). Iowa is projected to play the second-toughest schedule, with its opponents notching a cumulative 65.8 winning percentage.
Junior wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award Watch List member DJ Moore remains statistically the top wideout in the Big Ten, currently leading the conference in TD catches (7), reception yards (668), reception yards per game (95.4) and receptions per game (6.7). Moore had an incredible day against Northwestern on Oct. 14, posting career-highs in catches (12) and receiving yards (210) while scoring two touchdowns.
Maryland welcomes Indiana for its annual Homecoming game this weekend, posting a 56-34-4 (.617) overall mark in the contest since it was first notated in 1923. The Terps have won two of their last three Homecoming contests, including last season's 50-7 defeat of Purdue.
STADIUM REMINDERS
- Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium has a Clear Bag Policy. Only the following style and size bags will be allowed into the stadium, all of which are subject to search: (1) bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12"; (2) one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar); and (3) small clutch bags, measuring 4.5” x 6.5” with or without a handle or strap. All other bags will not be permitted. Guests are encouraged to return unauthorized items to their vehicles or place items in a daily rental locker available for $10/day inside the Terp Zone of the Stamp Student Union. Gate personnel cannot safeguard items that are not permitted into the stadium. To view the full-version of the Clear Bag Policy, visit: http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=211075109.
- Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium has a Chair Back Policy. Any portable seat that impedes on the comfort and enjoyment of a fan in an adjacent seat (in front, behind, or to the side) is prohibited. Any stadium seat measuring more than 16 inches wide is prohibited. All seats with arm rests and zippers are prohibited. Stadium seats may be purchased on a season basis by calling the ticket office at 301-314-7070 or rented on the day of the game on the stadium concourse near section 9 and 19. To view the full-version of the Chair Back Policy, please visit: http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=207272014.
- Purchase Clear Bags, prior to entering the stadium, at the Team Store located outside of Gate I or at the University Book Center located inside the Stamp Student Union.
- Rent Daily Lockers for $10/day inside the Terp Zone of the Stamp Student Union. Easy access to the Terp Zone is available at the Stamp entrance along Fieldhouse Drive across from Maryland's Bob "Turtle" Smith Baseball Stadium.
- ALL fans are able to enter ANY stadium gate, except GATE H, which is reserved for the President's Suite and Mezzanine ticket holders only.
BY THE NUMBERS: OFFENSE
1 - Sophomore quarterback Max Bortenschlager, who is a native of Fishers, Ind., has thrown just one interception in his four starts since taking over the job in the Big Ten opener against Minnesota. Bortenschlager has faced a pair of top-10 teams during that stretch. This will also mark his first appearance against his hometown state flagship university.
2 - Junior DJ Moore caught two touchdown passes against Northwestern two weeks ago to give him seven receiving touchdowns on the season. His seven touchdown catches (with three different quarterbacks) is tied for fifth-most in a single-season in program history. Moore also passed Stefon Diggs (2012-14) for sole possession of fourth place on Maryland's career touchdown reception list with 16.
2 - Senior Taivon Jacobs has caught a touchdown pass in his last two games, scoring on a 10-yard catch last weekend at #5 Wisconsin and on a 20-yarder the previous week versus Northwestern. Jacobs matched his career-high with five catches against the Badgers for a total of 45 yards. He currently ranks second on the Terps in catches (23), receiving yards (246) and receiving touchdowns (3).
5 - The Terps have done well taking care of the ball in 2017, turning the ball over just seven times through seven games despite starting three different quarterbacks due to injury. Maryland's +5 turnover margin ranks third in the Big Ten Conference. Last season, Maryland committed 19 turnovers in 13 games.
9 - Junior DJ Moore tacked on three catches against #5 Wisconsin to move into a tie for ninth place in Maryland history with Guilian Gary (1998-01) at 113 catches. Next up on the career reception list is Russ Weaver (1992-94), who sits eighth all-time with 120 career catches.
10 - Despite the injury issues at quarterback, the Maryland offense has been fortunate to be consistent at every other offensive position in 2017. Outside of quarterback, the Terps have started the same 10 players on offense in every game. Six of those 10 players have started at least 15 games in their career.
28 - Wide receiver DJ Moore currently leads the Big Ten Conference with a reception in 28 straight games. Remarkably, Moore has received a pass from seven different quarterbacks during the streak due to various injuries. His catch streak is the longest for a Maryland player since Torrey Smith finished his career with a 30-game reception streak from 2008-10.
210 - Junior DJ Moore totaled a career-high 210 receiving yards against Northwestern, becoming the sixth Terrapin in history to surpass 200 yards and first since Torrey Smith had 224 against NC State in 2010. Since adding 44 yards against #5 Wisconsin, Moore now ranks 10th in Maryland history with 1,662 career receiving yards. He needs 59 more yards to pass Barry Johnson (1987-90) and Greg Hill (1982-84), who are tied for eighth on the list with 1,721 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS: DEFENSE/ST
0.71 - The Terps rank third in the Big Ten Conference with a +0.71/g turnover margin (12-7), losing the turnover battle in just one of its seven games. Overall, the Terps have intercepted eight passes and forced nine fumbles (four lost) against just four interceptions and three lost fumbles (12-7). Last season, the Terps lost the turnover battle, 19-12, over the course of 13 games.
2 - Senior safety Josh Woods continues to make big plays in his final season for the Terps, notching his second interception of the season last weekend against #5 Wisconsin. Woods totaled a career-high three pass breakups against Northwestern in addition to making seven tackles. He now has 25 tackles over his last two games, and ranks third on the team with 35 total tackles on the season.
2 - Graduate transfer Henry Darmstadter knocked down both of his field goal attempts against #5 Wisconsin last weekend from distances of 23 and 45 yards. Darmstadter, who finished his career at Georgetown as the all-time points leader, is 4-of-5 on the season including coverting on a 51-yard field goal at Minnesota. He has also made 68 consecutive PATs dating back to 2014.
4 - Senior Jermaine Carter, Jr. has totaled 4.0 tackles for loss this season, including 2.0 in the win over Texas. Carter now has 27.0 tackles for loss in his career, which ranks tied for 13th in program history with Gurnest Brown (1979-82) and Demetrius Hartsfield (2009-12). Carter needs 5.0 more TFLs to crack Maryland's top-10 in the category.
10 - Senior linebacker Jalen Brooks turned in one of his best performances statistically against #5 Wisconsin last weekend, matching his career-high with 10 tackles. It was the most tackles in a game for the veteran since he totaled 10 against West Virginia on Sept. 26, 2015. Brooks has made 44 appearances throughout his career, which ranks second on the team behind Cavon Walker (46).
15 - Maryland's special teams unit is ranked 15th in the country and second in the Big Ten Conference (Penn State) with a 67.5 efficiency rating according to ESPN - a mark that was bolstered against Ohio State with a blocked field goal and kickoff return touchdown. The Terps have blocked a pair of field goals this season and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, while also ranking in the top-5 of the conference in both kick return average (23.7) and punt return average (11.3).
32 - Sophomore Antoine Brooks, Jr. has totaled 32 tackles over his last three games (10.7/g). During that span, Brooks had 10 tackles against #5 Wisconsin, nine tackles against Northwestern and a career-best 13 tackles at Ohio State. Brooks has been tremendous in his first full season as a starter, leading the team with 7.0 tackles for loss and ranking second on the team with 46 tackles. He has also recorded an interception and a forced fumble this season.
47 - Senior linebacker Jermaine Carter, Jr. currently leads the Terps with 47 tackles on the season and appears poised to lead the team in the category for the third consecutive season. He would be just the fifth Maryland player to achieve the feat since 1969, joining Alex Wujciak (2008-10), D'Qwell Jackson (2003-05), E.J. Henderson (2000-02) and Ratcliff Thomas (1993-95).
496 - Junior Ty Johnson currently leads the Big Ten Conference (16th nationally) with 496 total kick return yards - a mark that was bolstered by his 100-yard kickoff return against then-No. 10 Ohio State. Johnson has done it all for the Terps, ranking third in the Big Ten and 10th nationally with 154.7 all-purpose yards/g. He currently ranks 19th in Maryland history with 2,778 career all-purpose yards.
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