I didn’t expect that the Terps would win. I picked the game 30-17 Iowa. The Terps fell 31-15 to a now 8-0 Iowa Hawkeyes team that plays sound, smart and tough football.
Perry Hills, while adding excitement and hope to the Maryland offense can not throw the ball well enough for Maryland to win a game of consequence. The interceptions, three on the day, made sure that Maryland would lose. Perry’s running, over 100 yards for the third straight game, kept the Terps close.
Watching Perry throw (87 yards and 1 td) made me think that maybe Caleb would get another chance when Maryland had to throw the ball late in the game. Shane Cockerille attempted one pass and that was enough to see why Shane is compared in throwing motion to Tim Tebow.
Watching Perry run, even when Iowa had a good idea he was to run the ball, gave me hope that somehow Maryland could hang with top 10 Iowa.
That is the ying and yang of life with the Terps right now. There is enough good to see that with a competent throwing qb, Maryland could win its share of games. There is also enough bad, including the cornerback play of Sean Davis and untimely turnovers plus penalties to make one think the Terps are their own worst enemy and need a ritualistic cleansing or exorcism more than a new coach.
What was good yesterday – other than Perry on the ground, the offensive line play I thought was better. The offense really picked up late when highly touted but often injured Derwin Gray got on the field at right tackle. #75 is a mountain of a blocker and if Saturday was an audition, he got the part.
Maryland opened with Maurice Shelton at guard, #79 is another extra large offensive lineman. Both got into the rotation with Damian Prince, #58 and the usual starter of late at right tackle injured.
Also in the o-line mix was Brendan Moore at guard for a few plays. He is actually the backup center, but Maryland was trying everything to get some offensive tempo.
Why the focus on the o-line? Because we have some of the horses that we need to make an impact. Most of the guys did not get on the field with Edsall. They are now in the rotation. All of the above are young, but lets get them on the field and see what happens.
On defense, Brett Zonatto #38 at linebacker had an inspired series. Denzel Conyers at linebacker looked pretty good for a few plays. #11 is a converted safety who moved to linebacker because of a lack of depth and injuries.
The defense, sans Davis, did enough to put Maryland in a position to compete, the offense could not finish the job.
