GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The Indiana game was the first time Maryland had rushed for more than 300 yards this season and lost the game. The Terrapins are 4-1 in such circumstance. That’s still Maryland’s first and best option to stay close with powerful Ohio State. The Maryland ground game is ranked 18th nationally averaging 234.9 yards per game and possessing the ball with the run game also shortens the contest and keeps the Buckeyes’ explosive offensive off the field.
Ohio State is 44th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten, yielding 143.5 yards by land. But the Buckeyes have been particularly staunch of late, holding Nebraska and Michigan State to just 3.5 yards per carry the last two weeks. Defensive linemen Dre’Mont Jones and Jonathan Cooper are coming off great games against the Spartans.
If the Maryland offense doesn’t control the ball, the Buckeye offense could bury them. It won’t be easy for the Terrapins, coming off the heartbreaking setback at Indiana. Over the last two weeks, the Ohio State defense has allowed just six conversions on 30 third down attempts, consistently getting off the field and making life difficult for foes.
DRAFT SLANT:
–NT Adam McLean, once one of Maryland’s most highly touted recruits, is now living up to some of his high school clippings. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound junior had three tackles and his first career sack at Indiana. He also deflected a pass that was intercepted. McLean had a career-high seven tackles earlier this year against Iowa and has started nine games. He had played in 10 games previously in his entire career. His 26 tackles this season are already a career high. He’s a force in the middle and there’s always a market for big, run-clogging middle linemen at the next level, though another year in college should benefit both McLean and Maryland.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB Kasim Hill went down with a second quarter ACL injury and did not return. It was his left knee, not the right one that sidelined him last season, but he is done for the season.
–RG Terrance Davis will miss his second straight with an undisclosed injury.
–S Antwaine Richardson who sat out last week, will be a game-time decision.
–RB Ty Johnson, who left the game two weeks ago with a calf injury, then missed the Michigan State contest, returned to rush five times for 38 yards at Indiana, but limped off the field in the first half and did not return. He will be a game-time decision as will RB Javon Leake who left in the third quarter of the game.
–RB Jake Funk returned from the broken hand that caused him to miss the previous eight games.
–CB Marcus Lewis, a Florida State transfer who began the season as a starter, has left the team for personal reasons. He had missed the last three games and five of the past seven and was replaced by RaVon Davis.
=======
