GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Rutgers QB Arthur Sitkowski is coming off his best game of the year, completing 29-of-46 passes for 267 yards against Illinois. He’s a true freshman — the second Maryland has faced in the last three games — and the Terrapin defense will be out to confuse him and confound the Knights attack. The Maryland pass defense is giving up 226.6 yards per game, but also has seven interceptions. Cornerback Tino Ellis is enjoying a breakout season and safety Darnell Savage is an All-Big Ten returnee. The Terrapins hope their pass rush, particularly ends Jesse Aniebonam and Byron Cowart can make a difference, too, but the Rutgers offensive line has allowed just one sack or less in 12 of the last 18 games.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Jesse Aniebonam, a senior who missed all of last year with a broken foot, has begun to hit his stride this season. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder had four tackles, including one for loss, at Michigan. He had four tackles and a sack against Minnesota and was a bright spot against Temple with seven tackles and a blocked punt he returned for a touchdown. He has become increasingly disruptive in opponents’ backfields and has the skill-set to succeed at the next level like the most recent-such Terrapin terror, Yannick Ngakoue in Jacksonville. Aniebonam had 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2016, when he played as a 3-4 linebacker. He’s playing more of a defensive end spot now, and that versatility is another plus for him.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB Max Bortenschlager, a third-stringer who started eight games last year, has been lost for the season with an ankle injury suffered in practice last week.
–DB Rayshad Lewis, the son of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, was ejected for targeting at Michigan, joining Terps LB Tre Watson in that regard. Both players got their penalties in the second half, meaning they will have to sit out the first half Saturday.
–CB Marcus Lewis suffered an injury to his right arm at Michigan and left the game. He is still listed as co-starter this week with RaVon Davis. Rayshad Lewis is the backup.
–LB Nnamdi Egbuaba and DL Olu Oluwatimi had the big blocks on Ty Johnson’s 98-yard kickoff return at Michigan.
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