PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Tyrrell Pigrome passed for a career high 181 yards against Ohio State, hitting six of 13 passes, and the Terrapins put up 45 points in regulation. It was the most passing yards for the Terps in the last three games, and the third highest individual total this season. “Pig” is not a typical backup QB stepping in for injured Kasim Hill. He nearly won the job in the preseason in a battle with Hill, who replaced him last year when Pigrome was injured in the first game of the year. “I was confident with Pig,” said running back Anthony McFarland. “All week in practice he was just focused and being a good leader. I had no doubt he was going to come in and make plays and be that leader of the offense. I feel like he had a hell of a game today.”
–RB Anthony McFarland was a one-man Buckeye-wrecking crew. His 175 rushing yards were the most by any FBS player in a first quarter, and he had two long scoring runs to get the Terrapins off to a fast start. His 298 total yards (on 21 carries) were the second biggest rushing day ever for a Terp, and he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. McFarland has rushed for 518 yards the last two weeks and has gone over 1,000 (1,022) yards for the season.
–WRs named Jones (freshmen Jeshaun and Darryl) both made big plays against Ohio State and look primed to put some gusto back in the Maryland passing game. Jeshaun Jones had a great catch on a 27-yard scoring pass from Pigrome, and has five touchdown receptions on the season, one away from Stefon Diggs’ Maryland freshman record of six. Darryl Jones had a 60-yard reception to the one-yard line to set up a score and is coming into his own as a receiver with speed and size.
–NT Oluwaseun Olawutimi came off the bench to post a career-high seven tackles against Ohio State and force a fumble. A junior, Olawutimi is playing his best football coming down the stretch. He had his first sack and forced fumble a week ago at Indiana.
–WLB Tre Watson had 12 tackles against Ohio State, and continues to lead the Big Ten with 10.1 tackles per game and five interceptions. Watson had a recovered fumble against the Buckeyes, was in on a fourth-down tackle that turned the ball over on downs and has been a difference-maker all season for a defensive unit that has produced 22 turnovers this season and has the Terrapins atop the Big Ten with a plus-0.73 turnover margin.
–S Antwaine Richardson had a career high 11 tackles, was in on a tackle for loss, and though nicked up, has been another stalwart in the defensive backfield. The junior had his first career interception four weeks ago against Illinois.
–SERIES HISTORY: Oh, no, not Penn State. The Nittany Lions lead Maryland, 38-2-1 and won last year’s meeting, 66-3.
–QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re really proud of how our players have played. I wish, especially the last two weeks but every other week, too, there are a couple of plays here and there that we didn’t win. The last two weeks I wish we would have won. I wish the kids would have had that success. Obviously Saturday my only focus will be finding a way to win the game, doing the best we can to win the game.” — Interim head coach Matt Canada on the emotions heading into the final regular season game.
