PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Kasim Hill had his poorest performance last week in his six-game career. The redshirt freshman was 7-for-17 for 56 yards and his first career interception (after 86 total passes) against Temple, part of an impotent Terrapin attack that accounted for just 195 total yards in the first loss of the season. Asked if he might opt to start redshirt sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome this week, interim head coach Matt Canada said, “Our approach is the same,” which means Hill as starter and Pigrome in small doses on certain series to mix in more run option.
–WR Jeshaun Jones sparked the offense in Week 1 against Texas, accounting for touchdowns the first three times he touched the ball in his first collegiate game. He has been quieter since and had just one reception for 12 yards last week. He has caught just two passes for 24 yards the last two games but obviously has the skills to make things happen. This seems like a good week to accelerate his re-emergence as a versatile receiver and runner.
–WLB Tre Watson had 15 tackles against Temple, the most by a Terrapin since Nov. 26, 2016. On the season, the Illinois grad transfer leads Maryland with 28 tackles, including a tackle for loss and an interception through the first three contests. His experience has been a key component in the Terrapins’ improved defense to date. His 9.3 tackles per game ranks second in the Big Ten.
–S Darnell Savage, Jr., had a 23-yard touchdown return against Temple for Maryland’s first score. The senior defensive back has long had a penchant for the big play. It was the fifth interception of his career, and he leads the Terp defense with four tackles for loss through the first three games.
SERIES HISTORY: Maryland leads Minnesota 2-1, including a 31-24 road victory last year. Ty Johnson’s 34-yard scoring run with 1:10 remaining sealed the win. The Golden Gophers won the first Big Ten Conference matchup of the two programs in 2016, with a 31-10 victory in College Park. The only previous meeting was in 1977 in the Hall of Bowl, Maryland prevailing 17-7. Maryland interim head coach Matt Canada and Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck coached together at Northern Illinois in 2007-09.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m going to call the ones that work.” — Coach Matt Canada on doing a better job calling plays.
