GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Maryland won’t have much of a chance if the Terrapins can’t find their running game. The Terps finished with 132 yards on 31 carries against Temple but weren’t effective until late when the game was decided. The return of starting tackles Derwin Gray and Damian Prince can help, but quarterback Kasim Hill must get the offense into the right plays and avoid the third-and-long situations that killed the Terps last week.
It won’t be easy against a Minnesota defensive front that has been dominating so far, allowing just 72.0 yards per game on the ground. Defensive end Carter Coughlin, an undersized rush end, had two sacks last week and is going up against a Terp line that had trouble with Temple’s unheralded edge rushers. The Gophers induced three turnovers last week to make it a laugher against Miami of Ohio.
The Terrapins can’t make many mistakes and expect to win. A key to Maryland’s early success was controlling the ball and the clock, keeping the Terrapin defense off the field. Not so much last week when the Owls had the ball 36:33.
DRAFT SLANT:
–Nickel back Antoine Brooks Jr. continues to build an impressive resume. A junior, the hybrid defender is Maryland’s de facto third linebacker, but excels in coverage and helps shut down opponents’ running game. He was all-Big Ten last year, leading conference DBs with 9.5 tackles for loss. He picked up where he left off, earning Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after the opener with Texas when he had 11 tackles and an interception that sealed the victory. He has 3.5 tackles for loss in the first three games this season, and his versatility is a key component of an improved defensive unit.
ROSTER REPORT
–RT Damian Prince hurt his wrist and was a pregame scratch, replaced by junior utility lineman Ellis McKennie, who struggled in pass protection. Prince is expected back this week against Minnesota.
–LT Derwin Gray, still trying to shake off the offseason shoulder surgery, missed his second game in three weeks. He is expected back this week, although sophomore Marcus Minor has proven a more than capable understudy.
–RB Lorenzo Harrison, who missed the Temple game with a hamstring injury, is expected to return. “LoLo” had been the No. 2 option in the running game this season behind Ty Johnson, though versatile Tayon Fleet-Davis is another possibility.
–RB Anthony McFarland was the backfield standout last week with Harrison and Jake Funk (broken hand) out. McFarland had 11 rushes for a career high 107 yards against Temple.
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