Maryland football will face Villanova on Sept. 21 at noon, as the Terps look to continue building momentum.
Maryland returned to the win column with a 27-13 victory against Virginia on Sept. 14. It wasn’t pretty, but the Terps’ second-half effort proved to be the difference.
Maryland is seeking its 15th consecutive win against nonconference opponents. But first, here are three things to look for:
Can Maryland start fast?
The Terps scored on their opening drives against Connecticut and Michigan State but could not do so against Virginia.
Maryland was held scoreless until 54 seconds remained in the first half. The Terps did have a field goal attempt, but junior kicker Jack Howes missed a 52-yarder with 1:59 remaining in the first quarter.
“I thought that Virginia came out and out-efforted us in the first half and that’s not anything that I’ve ever had to be concerned with our team,” head coach Michael Locksley said after the win against Virginia. “Then I thought the physicality in which they played, they kind of out-physicaled us as well.”
Can Maryland contain the quarterback?
Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins can get it done with his legs and is not afraid to use them. He finished with 108 and 68 rushing yards in the Wildcats’ wins against Youngstown St. and Towson, respectively.
Terps senior defensive lineman Quashon Fuller says keeping Watkins in check will be vital.
“We approach everybody the same way and we just got to go out there and do what we do every day and, make an emphasis on the quarterback.” Fuller said. “He does like to run the ball a lot more aggressively than others but we have to get to the ball and rally to it.”
Will Tai Felton Eclipse 100 yards … again?
Yes, this was also something to look for before last week’s game against Virginia … and the game against Michigan State. But senior receiver Tai Felton has begun the season by setting career highs and breaking records.
Felton became the first Maryland player to ever finish with 100-plus receiving yards in three consecutive games to start a season after posting 178, 152 and 117 yards against UConn, Michigan State and Virginia, respectively.
Felton has totaled 447 receiving yards, 27 receptions and four touchdowns so far this season. Felton also has the most targets without a drop in the country thus far this season (39), according to Pro Football Focus.
“I would say his confidence,” Locksley said of Felton’s biggest growth. “I’ve always said Tai Felton was a talented player. He got overlooked in recruiting because of [a leg] injury his senior year. Prior to that, he was a guy who was a national recruit, and we got lucky to get him because of injury and because of our loyalty to him. As I’ve said, he had opportunities a year ago, other people came knocking, and he decided to stay because he understands what our offensive system offers a guy like him.”
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
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Publish date : 2024-09-20 02:05:00
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