COLLEGE FOOTBALL LOOK AHEAD

No. 21 Maryland surges into matchup at Temple

Field Level Media

September 14, 2019 at 5:04 pm.

It’s a clash of undefeated regional rivals Saturday when No. 21 Maryland travels to Temple for a game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Terrapins (2-0) are ranked for the first time since 2013, and this is the highest they’ve been ranked since 2006. Leading the nation in scoring at 71.0 points per game, Maryland is creating a buzz that can escalate with a road win, a bye week and then a home showdown against Big Ten rival Penn State on Friday, Sept. 27.

While Maryland is making headlines these days, it’s Temple (1-0) that has the more proven pedigree in recent seasons, having made four consecutive trips to bowl games, including last year’s Independence Bowl.

“They’ve got some great players on the offensive side of the football,” said Maryland coach Mike Locksley. “The strength is the quarterback and two really big-time wide receivers, along with some really big backs. On the defensive side of the ball, they have experience.”

The Owls, coming off a bye week, opened with a 56-12 win over FCS opponent Bucknell. Quarterback Anthony Russo hit 32 of 41 passes for 409 yards and four scores as Temple set school records for total yards (695) and passing yards (507).

Wide receiver Jaden Blue had 10 catches for 117 yards, Branden Mack caught nine for 130 yards, and Isaiah Wright chipped in eight for 61. Blue and Wright each had touchdowns.

The Terps hope to tank Temple with big plays on defense. Maryland has a 14-game streak of forcing at least one turnover — the fourth longest run in the country — and the Terrapins have 12 sacks through two games, linebacker Keandre Jones leading the way with 3.5.

“They’re playing aggressive defense,” said Temple coach Rod Carey.

“They’re really disruptive. They have a lot of speed and they have really good edge pressure. Their schemes allow them to really pin their ears back and come a lot in the passing game, and in the run game they’re really swarming to the football. They’re doing a lot of good things on defense.”

Maryland is doing even more good things on offense. Virginia Tech grad transfer quarterback Josh Jackson has thrown for 541 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Anthony McFarland Jr., has four scores, one of six different Terps to tally a touchdown rushing.

Temple’s offense has shown some firepower, too — and Maryland has seen it up close.

Last year, Russo got his first career start in a Week 3 game at Maryland, and the Owls soared to a surprisingly easy 35-14 win, with the Temple defense coming up with two interceptions and two fumbles. Linebacker Shaun Bradley, now a senior, had a 78-yard pick-six to help seal the victory.

The last time the teams met at Lincoln Financial Field was in 2012, when Temple trailed by 23 points but rallied within 29-27 before falling 36-27. The Terrapins are 4-0 at Temple.

Maryland leads the all-time series 7-2, but the Owls won two of the last three dating to 2011.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA