Surprising Terrapins travel to No. 19 Iowa
Maryland isn’t on the national radar yet with four wins, but the Terrapins do perhaps qualify as a surprise in college football considering the summer tragedy that claimed a teammate’s life and resulted in their coach being separated from the program on administrative leave.
Don’t look now but Maryland (4-2, 2-1) is just two wins away from bowl eligibility with six games to play, but the Terrapins face a big challenge this week, taking their show on the road to No. 19 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) in a cross-divisional Big Ten Conference clash.
The Terrapins pounded East Division rival Rutgers 34-7 last week, putting together their strongest defensive effort of the year, limiting the Scarlet Knights to just 179 yards and allowing nary a point until the game’s final minute.
Coupled with the strong, versatile running game the offense has become known for, Maryland has a winning formula, but can it hold up against the Big Ten’s big boys? This week may offer another indication. Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State all still loom on the schedule.
“We are 0-0 again and we’ve got to win to be 1-0 next week,” said Maryland interim coach Matt Canada after the Rutgers game.
“We don’t look back, we don’t look down the road past the next one, but really proud of our players. The resiliency they have and I don’t know — you’re watching it — they look like they’re playing hard, I think. Anybody that says they’re not, I’d be happy to talk to you. They’re playing hard. They’re playing together. That’s what we’re most proud of.”
Nineteen-year-old offensive tackle Jordan McNair collapsed from heatstroke during a May 29 workout and passed away two weeks later. Coach DJ Durkin was put on administrative leave on Aug. 11, and the school parted ways with strength coach Rick Court and put two trainers on leave as well.
With shocked grief gripping the team and the specter of major investigations under way, not just about McNair’s death but also about the culture of Durkin’s program, the Terrapins have soldiered on, all the while trying to honor McNair’s memory. Other than an inexplicable lopsided loss at home to Temple, Maryland has played well through all the obstacles and distractions.
“With everything going on, it’s just bringing us closer and closer together,” said fifth-year senior defensive end Jesse Aniebonam.
“Everything that has happened over the summer is a tragedy and it’s extremely unfortunate, but this kind of adversity just pulls us together, and makes us closer. We’re still just focused on the next game, the next challenge and honoring Jordan every step of the way.”
While the Terrapins also lost at Michigan, they led at the end of the first quarter in “The Big House,” and hung tough for much of the game against the Wolverines’ top-rated defense before falling 42-21. This game could be similar in terms of a big-time Big Ten opponent on a big stage. Iowa’s only loss is to nationally-ranked Wisconsin, and after some up-and-down play, the always-tough Hawkeyes look to be rolling.
Iowa junior quarterback Nate Stanley was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week following a 42-16 win at Indiana on Saturday. Stanley hit 21-of-33 passes for 320 yards and had six touchdown passes to five different receivers.
That performance sets up an interesting matchup with a Maryland defense coming off one of its best performances against the pass since college teams ditched the Wing-T formation way back when. The Terrapins intercepted five passes against Rutgers, allowing just two completions and eight yards in 17 pass attempts.
