GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: How about the struggling Maryland offense — 115 total yards and no points at No. 19 Iowa last week — against the Illini defense, which ranks last in the Big Ten in total defense (510.4 yards per game) and next to last in scoring defense (34.0 ppg)? Maryland hung 34 on the scoreboard in the Terrapins’ last home game (34-7 win over Rutgers), and the offense, smarting over last week’s showing, could be ready to explode on an Illinois defense that is yielding 222 yards per game on the ground. Look for Maryland to pound the ball in the running game against the Illini 4-3 scheme. Maryland senior running back Ty Johnson is due a big game. He went over 120 yards each of his last two home contests and is coming off a disappointing 4-rushes-for-15-yards effort at Iowa.
Despite the tough sledding at Iowa, Maryland is still fourth in the Big Ten, averaging 219.9 yards per game on the ground. Redshirt freshman runner Anthony McFarland has also proven a threat, twice rushing for over 100 yards this season.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Byron Cowart was in on a career-high seven tackles at Iowa and continues to come on as a dominant force up front for the Terrapins. A senior transfer from Auburn, Cowart is playing the best football of his career. In the previous home game against Rutgers, he registered two tackles for loss, including a sack, and picked up a big interception on a deflected pass. He would have had another sack but was flagged for a horse-collar tackle on the play. At 6-foot-4 and 293 pounds, Cowart was once one of the top recruits in the country. A former tuba player as youngster, he is making a big push to show up on NFL Draft boards this spring, tooting his own horn with his play. He has a great combination of size, strength and speed, and has been a leader on Maryland’s much-improved defense.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR DJ Turner missed his first game this season with a thigh injury last week, and he is not going to be ready for action against Illinois. The junior wideout is second on the team with 13 receptions and averages 12.2 yards per catch.
–RB Jake Funk, out with a broken hand, could be back as soon as the Michigan State game on Nov. 3, according to Canada. Funk is a valuable third-down back and special teams standout. He has missed the last six games.
–CB Marcus Lewis, who missed the Minnesota and Michigan games with an undisclosed injury and then didn’t start against Rutgers, was back at his starting corner slot against Iowa.
–WR Brian Cobbs got his first start last Saturday at Iowa and rushed twice for two yards. The big play the true freshman was involved in didn’t go Maryland’s way. In motion, Cobbs bumped QB Tyrrell Pigrome as he took the snap and the ensuing fumble rolled into the end zone resulting in Iowa’s last touchdown.
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