They didn’t play as well as some would have hoped, perhaps didn’t show off all of their schemes in anticipation for a big game and struggled a bit much on third downs.
Now they’re facing an exceptionally tough task in a harsh environment.
While all those traits can be ascribed to the Maryland football team’s offense, they are also true of the Terrapins’ defense. And with a date at No. 5 West Virginia in two days, the Terps (2-0) know improvement is necessary if an upset is to remain possible.
Sure, surrendering only 24 points in two games is a solid start to the season, but the Terps still allowed Middle Tennessee to roll up 321 yards Saturday. The Blue Raiders converted nine of 16 third downs, including four attempts from at least 9 yards, as they exploited Maryland’s shoddy tackling.
“It’s frustrating, and it’s frustrating for the kids, too,” Maryland defensive coordinator Chris Cosh said. “It’s not just one thing. One time it’s this area, and one time it’s this area. That’s what we try to bring out. We all have a part in it, and we all recognize it.”
The concern over defense is only exacerbated by West Virginia. The Mountaineers ground down a thin and inexperienced Maryland defensive line and dominated the line of scrimmage in the final quarter in last year’s meeting.
West Virginia ran option plays efficiently and relied on 30-yard runs from its fullback. The Mountaineers converted nearly every kind of running play imaginable and finished with 301 rushing yards, the second most yielded by the Terps since Friedgen arrived in 2001.
It was the low point for a defense that struggled throughout last season against the run, an embarrassment no one wished to endure again Thursday against the Mountaineers (2-0).
“I remember [301] yards rushing. That’s what I remember,” junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson said. “If we can stop the running game, I think we have a good chance.”
Yet if that game is an echo of the humiliation possible when an opponent can run at will, it also hints at West Virginia’s current capabilities. Tailback Steve Slaton has 308 yards and four touchdowns on 41 carries, and quarterback Pat White had four 100-yard rushing days last season, meaning it won’t be easy to stifle the Mountaineers.
Maryland’s task against the elusive Slaton and White could become more challenging if its tackling and pursuit do not improve. An odd mixture of aggressive calls and occasionally tentative play Saturday led to breakdowns West Virginia could easily exploit.
“We were real aggressive, and they kind of used our aggression against us,” sophomore defensive end Jeremy Navarre said. “That’s the defense. If it’s third-and-long, you’re going to go after them. Sometimes stuff like that might happen. We don’t want to play back.”
To be fair, the Terps probably didn’t entirely open up their defensive schemes. Much like the team’s conservative offense over the last two weeks, Maryland’s defense did what it needed to emerge with victories over lightweight opposition.
It won’t be quite as easy against West Virginia.
“On defense we’ve been kind of laid back,” Jefferson said. “This is the week where we pull out everything and throw the whole book at them.”
And if it doesn’t work? Then maybe coach Ralph Friedgen’s joking description of how to contain the Mountaineers is the best approach.
“Pray a lot,” Friedgen said. “Bring out the rosary.”
Notes — Friedgen said he hoped right guard Andrew Crummey would return to practice today. The junior pulled a hamstring during warmups Saturday and did not practice the last two days. … Right tackle Dane Randolph (ankle) practiced after missing Saturday’s game.
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