Grading Maryland football’s position groups after its loss to Minnesota
The Terps were embarrassed on the road.
After a last-minute, comeback win over USC last week that resulted in a field-storming, Maryland football played its worst game of the season, falling to Minnesota, 48-23.
The Terps were dominated from the get-go. They were losing 21-0 by the end of the first quarter, which ballooned to a 48-10 in the fourth quarter.
Here’s how each position group performed in the game.
Quarterback
Billy Edwards Jr. had by far his worst game as a Terp and sparked Minnesota’s blowout.
On Maryland’s third drive of the day, Edwards misread the Gopher’s defense and threw a 5-yard hitch route to Shaleak Knotts. However, Knotts continued to work up field — which he was supposed to do against Minnesota’s cloud defense, which sits the cornerback in the flat — resulting in an uncontested pick-6 for Justin Walley.
On the very next drive, Edwards overthrew Dylan Wade and was intercepted by Koi Perich, which gave Minnesota prime field position that resulted in a field goal.
Edwards gave away points and essentially ended the game for the Terps before the first quarter was even over.
On the bright side, MJ Morris replaced Edwards in the fourth quarter and was extremely effective, completing 7-of-8 passing attempts for 122 yards and two touchdowns. But a backup quarterback playing well in garbage time won’t fix this grade.
Grade: D
Running back
As has been a common theme with the unit this year, the running backs were not utilized much, and when they were, they were relatively inefficient.
Roman Hemby rushed for 31 yards on eight carries and caught two balls for eight yards. Nolan Ryan rushed for 11 yards on seven carries and caught a ball for 16 yards. Surprisingly, the Terps’ most efficient running back was freshman DeJuan Williams, who took three carries for 30 yards in place of the injured Colby McDonald.
While the offensive line did not create many holes, the Terps’ running backs failed to make much happen.
Grade: C-
Wide Receiver
While the team struggled, Tai Felton remained a reliable target for Edwards, and then Morris. He caught nine of his 13 targets for 104 yards and consistently found openings in Minnesota’s defense.
After recording career-highs in receptions and receiving yards last week, Octavian Smith Jr. continued his upward trajectory, catching four balls for 51 yards. Knotts also had a solid day, although all of his production came with Morris in garbage time. He caught two balls for 70 yards and a touchdown, including a 49-yard bomb.
Kaden Prather was the only receiver to truly disappoint, catching two of his five targets for 26 yards.
While the receivers were not anything special, they were far from the problem.
Grade: B
Tight Ends
The tight ends continue to be a net neutral in this offense.
While Preston Howard is still considered the starter, Wade has outgained him in all but two games this season, and did so again Saturday. Howard hauled in two balls for 16 yards, while Wade caught two passes for 28 yards.
Both received positive blocking grades, via Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Grade: C
Offensive line
The offensive line was one of Maryland’s weakest units Saturday, yet again.
While it did not surrender a sack, the unit allowed 15 pressures, one of which came on Edwards’ second interception, which he could not fully step into because of the pressure in front of him.
Left tackle Andre Roye Jr. was the Terps’ lowest-graded offensive player at 48.9, according to PFF, and was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a lower-leg injury. Right guard Aliou Bah continues to struggle, receiving a 56.2 grade and the offense’s only penalty — a 10-yard holding call.
Grade: D+
Defensive line
Maryland’s defensive line played fine Saturday.
It held the Gophers to 123 rushing yards — which is still above their season average — but recorded just four pressures, led by Tommy Akingbesote’s three, according to PFF.
With the secondary injured — and playing poorly even when healthy — the defensive line needs to step up and limit the opposing quarterback’s time to throw, which it did not do Saturday.
Grade: C-
Linebacker
The Terps were without starting linebacker Kellan Wyatt, but the linebacker unit was still Maryland’s strongest Saturday — which may not be saying much at this point.
Ruben Hyppolite II led the team with six tackles (two solo) and tallied 1.5 tackles for loss. Fellow starter Caleb Wheatland earned a poor 36.4 PFF grade, as he totaled just three tackles (one solo).
The shining light from this unit was easily DJ Samuels, though, who contributed on offense and defense. As a linebacker, Samuels recorded five tackles (four solo) and a team-high three tackles for loss. But lined up as a full back, Samuels slipped through Minnesota’s defense and caught Morris’ first touchdown pass.
Grade: B-
Secondary
Without Glen Miller, Brandon Jacob and Braydon Lee, Maryland’s secondary struggled mightily.
It allowed Max Brosmer, a relatively average Big Ten quarterback, cook en route to 320 yards and four touchdowns passing on a 79% completion percentage. Wide receiver Daniel Jackson got whatever he wanted during a 117-yard, two-touchdown day and wide receiver Elijah Spencer was left wide open 25 yards down the field for his second touchdown of the game.
The unit was also flagged for two of Maryland’s four defensive penalties for 25 yards.
Grade: D-
Special teams
Maryland’s special teams unit was not asked to do much.
It did not return a single ball and Jack Howes nailed his only field goal attempt, a 33-yard try. However, Bryce McFerson continues to be phenomenal, punting three times for an average of 50.3 yards.
Grade: B
Coaching
Any offensive scheme was thrown out the door early in the second quarter when Minnesota went up 24-0 following Edwards’ interceptions, and the defense faced a tall task given the amount of injuries and lack of depth.
But getting embarrassed by Minnesota in this fashion is inexcusable, and the coaching staff must shoulder some of the blame.
Grade: D+
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