2008 Maryland Terrapins - Recruiting Class

Maryland Terrapins 2008 Head Coach: Ralph Friedgen

Maryland Terrapins

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Kenny Tate WR, 6-4, 215 Forestville, Md. (DeMatha High School)
One of the most talented receivers in the nation ... an athletic wide receiver with a dangerous combination of size and speed ... a threat to go the length of the field whenever he touches the ball ... has demonstrated versatility and toughness ... a four-star player ... the 16th-ranked receiver prospect in the nation by Scout.com ... also ranked No. 19 nationally by Scouts, Inc. ... the fourth best prospect in the state of Maryland by that outlet and ranked third in the Mid-Atlantic region by SuperPrep ... the 100th ranked overall prospect in the nation according to PrepStar ... four-year letterman and three-year starter for a deep and talented squad ... three-time consensus all-state selection by the Associated Press and an All-Metro pick by the Washington Post ... caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns as a senior ... recorded 48 tackles and four interceptions on defense in 2007 ... totaled over 300 yards both in rushing and receiving his junior season with seven total touchdowns ... also added a kickoff return for a touchdown and two scores on punt returns that year ... rushed for seven TDs and caught four more as a sophomore in 2005 ... turned down over 100 scholarship offers to attend Maryland ... also considered Illinois, Penn State, Florida, Ohio State and Michigan

Potential Instant Impact Players

Matt Furstenburg TE 6-4 220 Princeton, NJ
A tall, athletic tight end with good hands ... a four-star recruit by Scout.com ... an all-state and all-county selection as a senior in 2006 when he had 28 catches for 400 yards and four touchdowns ... also netted 76 tackles and eight sacks on the defensive side of the ball as Hunterdon finished 9-3 and won the state championship in 2006 ... also lettered in lacrosse, where he led Hunterton to three consecutive state titles (2005-07) ... an all-state and honorable mention All-American selection in lacrosse ... team won conference championships in 2006 and 2007 ... also recruited by Pittsburgh, North Carolina, and Vanderbilt

Masengo Kabongo DL, 6-1, 285 Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield College Prep)
An intelligent defensive tackle with promising combination of size and quickness ... rated the No. 15 defensive tackle in the nation by Scouts, Inc. ... ranked as the 33rd-best defensive tackle by Scout.com ... a three-year starter on the defensive line (sophomore and junior at DT; senior at DE) ... also started at offensive tackle as a junior and senior ... an all-state defensive lineman as a sophomore, junior and senior ... compiled 47 tackles, including 11 for a loss and 5.5 sacks, in 2007 ... forced three fumbles his senior season ... registered 87 tackles, including 27 TFLs, and five forced fumbles in 2006 ... also ran track and played basketball his freshman and sophomore years ... also considered Florida, Notre Dame, NC State, Colorado and Syracuse, among others

Rest of the Class

Tyler Bass	QB	6-3	195	Stockbridge, GA
Cody Blue	OL	6-5	270	Columbia, MD
Kerry Boykins	WR	6-1	200	Chesapeake, VA
Devonte Campbell	TE	6-3	240	Chatham, VA
Cameron  Chism	DB	6-1	175	Forestville, MD
R.J.  Dill	OL	6-6	274	Camp Hill , PA
Kevin Dorsey	WR	6-1	187	Forestville, MD
Gary Douglas	RB	6-0	177	Durham, NC
Eteyen Edet	LB	6-2	235	Fort Washington, MD
A.J. Francis	DT	6-4	315	Washington, DC
Justin Gilbert	OL	6-6	280	Richmond, VA
Demetrius Hartsfield	LB	6-2	208	Raleigh, NC
Masengo Kabongo	DT	6-3	279	Fairfield, CT
Zach Kerr	DT	6-2	323	Gaithersburg, MD
Justin  Lewis	OL	6-4	315	Johnsonville, SC
Davin Meggett	RB	5-8	190	Surrattsville, MD

- 2007 Maryland Season
- 2007 Maryland Preview
- 2006 Maryland Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2007 Season: 6-7

Sept. 1 Villanova W 31-14
Sept. 8 at FIU W 26-10
Sept. 13 West Virginia L 31-14
Sept. 22 at W Forest L 31-24 OT
Sept. 29 at Rutgers W 34-24
Oct. 6 Georgia Tech W 28-26
Oct. 20 Virginia L 18-17
Oct. 27 Clemson L 30-17
Nov. 3 at North Carolina L 16-13
Nov. 10 Boston College W 42-35
Nov. 17 at Florida State L 24-16
Nov. 24 at NC State W 37-0
Emerald Bowl
Dec. 28 Oregon State L 21-14

2007 Recap

Recap: Maryland appeared to have the talent and athleticism of an ACC sleeper, but that was before injuries and suspensions ravaged the offensive line and quarterback position.  The schizophrenic Terps never fully recovered, beating two top 10 teams for the first time ever, yet failing to finish the season above the .500 mark.  While competitive in most games, Maryland lacked the bite on offense and ability to close out games to ever go on an extended run or elevate beyond ordinary.

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Keon Lattimore

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Erin Henderson

Biggest Surprise: Not only did Maryland shock No. 10 Rutgers on Sept. 29, but they did it with backup QB Chris Turner taking most of the snaps.  Terrapin backs Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball both outshined Heisman contender Ray Rice in a 34-24 upset that brought some brief national notoriety to the program.     

Biggest Disappointment: Maybe the season would have taken a slightly different course had the Terrapins not choked to Wake Forest the week before the big win at Rutgers.  Maryland held a commanding 24-3 lead late in the third quarter, but Alphonso Smith’s 100-yard interception return sparked a rally that ended with the Deacons celebrating a stunning overtime victory.

Looking Ahead: The Terrapins have been stuck in neutral for the past four seasons, losing nearly as many games as they’ve won.  If head coach Ralph Friedgen is going to change that trend, he needs more from the quarterbacks, who produced just nine touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 2007.  Getting ex-Florida Gator Josh Portis off academic suspension would be a nice starting point.           

Dec. 28
2007 Emerald Bowl
Oregon State 21 ... Maryland 14
Oregon State outrushed Maryland 275 yards to 19 as the offense held on to the ball for over 18 minutes in the second half and for 10:25 in the fourth quarter, while the defense came up with stop after stop. The Terp attack only converted two of 11 third down chances and got 11 first downs, but it held a 14-7 lead after the first quarter on a nine-yard Isaiah Williams scoring grab and a 63-yard Darrius Heyward-Bey touchdown catch. Yvenson Bernard, James Rodgers and the Beaver running game proved to be too much for the Terps to deal with as Bernard pounded his way inside and out, and Rodgers took end around after end around for big gains. Bernard ran for a two-yard score late in the first half and appeared to be on his way in for a third quarter score, but he fumbled, Rodgers recovered in the end zone, and the Beavers had the lead for good. Rodgers also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Offensive Player of the Game: Oregon State RB Yvenson Bernard ran 38 times for 177 yards and a touchdown & WR James Rodgers ran ten times for 115 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 40 yards and a score
Defensive Player of the Game: Oregon State LB Derrick Doggett made eight tackles and a sack
Stat Leaders: Oregon State - Passing: Sean Canfield, 8-14, 68 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 38-177, 1 TD. Receiving: James Rodgers, 5-40, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 17-29, 205 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 7-16. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 3-99, 1 TD
Thoughts & Notes ... Oregon State beat Maryland despite average quarterback play from both Sean Canfield and Lyle Moeavo. To be fair, the offensive line that did a tremendous job for the running game was blown past in pass protection, but the quarterbacks didn't do anything special. That Maryland could sell out against the run and still couldn't stop Yvenson Bernard and James Rodgers showed how tough things were for the defensive front. ... Where was the Maryland running game? The setup was there with big pass plays early on to open things up, but it didn't happen. The Beaver defensive line was dominant, Derrick Doggett led a linebacking corps that cleaned everything up, and the secondary was tight after the first quarter. Bernard and Rodgers will get the headlines, but the defense more than did its job.

Nov. 24
Maryland 37 ... NC State 0
Maryland thoroughly dominated on both sides of the ball holding NC State to ten rushing yards while the offense got two touchdown runs from Lance Ball in the second quarter, two short scoring dashes from Keon Lattimore, and field goals from 30, 34 and 30 yards out from Obi Egekeze. The NC State offense went nowhere all game long converting one of 13 third down chances, holding on to the ball for a mere 22:05, and getting outgained 466 yards to 250.
Player of the game: Maryland LB Dave Philistin made ten tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception
Stat Leaders: NC State - Passing: Daniel Evans, 18-29, 168 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Andre Brown, 3-9. Receiving: Darrell Blackman, 5-98
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 19-24, 206 yds
Rushing: Da'Rel Scott, 8-89 Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 6-47
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It might not have been an explosive Maryland attack against NC State, but the defense came through with a gem as it pitched a perfect game to get bowl eligible. The linebacking corps was swarming, while the offense was efficient and effective getting a nice, mistake-free day from QB Chris Turner. After all the problems this year, getting to a bowl, even if it's in Boise or San Francisco, will feel like Christmas.

Nov. 17
Florida State 24 ... Maryland 16
Florida State jumped out to a 21-3 first half lead with Drew Weatherford running for a one-yard score and throwing a ten-yard touchdown pass to DeCody Fagg, but the star of the show was Preston Parker, who ran for an 18-yard score in the first half and finished with 133 yards. Maryland pulled within eight on a 14-yard Darrius Heyward-Bey catch late in the third quarter, but the Noles got a 30-yard Gary Cismesia field goal to get comfortably ahead. The two teams combined to convert just five of 27 third down chances.
Player of the game: Florida State RB Preston Parker ran 20 times for 133 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for 21 yards
Stat Leaders: Florida State - Passing: Drew Weatherford, 16-26, 204 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Preston Parker, 20-133, 1 TD. Receiving: DeCody Fagg, 4-68, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 16-32, 242 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 13-46. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 5-82, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Where's the Maryland running game that worked so well at times against Boston College last week? Florida State was able to close down the Terp ground game and force Chris Turner to start bombing away. While Turner was effective for stretches, he wasn't consistent enough to pull off the road upset. With four losses in five weeks, a win over NC State is needed to just be bowl eligible, but at this point, this is still a mega-disappointment of a year no matter what happens. To beat the Wolfpack, the offense has to start getting more touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. Things can't keep bogging down.

Nov. 10
Maryland 42 ... Boston College 35
Maryland put up 472 yards to Boston College's 466, getting a 37-yard Darrius Heyward-Bey touchdown run off a reverse along with three Chris Turner touchdown passes, including two to Jason Goode, on the way to a 42-21 lead. BC and Matt Ryan tried to bomb their way back late, with Ryan connecting with Ryan Purvis for touchdowns from five and 13 yards out, but the Terps recovered the onside kick after the final score and held on. The two teams combined to convert 20 of 32 third down chances.
Player of the game: Maryland QB Chris Turner completed 21 of 27 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Boston College - Passing: Matt Ryan, 33-56, 421 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Andre Callender, 12-56. Receiving: Ryan Purvis, 10-102, 2 TD
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 21-27, 337 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Lance Ball, 32-109, 1 TD. Receiving: Jason Goode, 6-56, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Maryland's offense rolled as well as it had all season long, but the defense did a poor job of closing out Boston College after Matt Ryan got hot. Even so, this was a nice bounce-back win after an ugly three-game losing streak, and now the bowl hopes are back on with games at Florida State and NC State to close out. The offense has to remain balanced, while the team has to keep battling its way through injury problems. The talent is there to go on a run, but Chris Turner will have to stay hot.

Nov. 3
North Carolina 16 ... Maryland 13
Connor Barth hit two 45-yard field goals in the second quarter, along with a 23-yarder, and Hakeem Nicks caught a 30-yard touchdown pass as North Carolina shocked Maryland. The Terps struggled offensively all game long, but rallied from a 16-3 deficit to get a five-yard Keon Lattimore touchdown run and a 29-yard Obi Egekeze field goal, but couldn't get any closer as a final drive stalled allowing the Tar Heels to run out the clock. The two teams combined for 20 penalties and five turnovers.
Player of the game: North Carolina DB Tramaine Goddard made ten tackles and picked off a pass.
Stat Leaders: Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 20-36, 209 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Lance Ball, 15-69. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 5-64
North Carolina - Passing: T.J. Yates, 16-26, 149 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Johnny White, 18-92. Receiving: Hakeem Nicks, 8-88, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All of a sudden, the season that looked so promising just a few weeks ago after beating Rutgers and Georgia Tech has gone into the tank with three straight losses. Everyone is loading up to stop the good Terp running backs, and Chris Turner isn't able to come through. The receiving corps needs to provide more of a spark. The defense has been fine, but it's not changing the game with any big plays. Now a bowl bid is in big trouble with Boston College and road trips to Florida State and NC State ahead.

Oct. 27
Clemson 30 ... Maryland 17
Maryland scored first on a 35-yard Obi Egekeze field goal, but then started screwing up with penalties and a fumble to lead to a 23-point Clemson run to put the game away. Mark Buchholz connected on field goals from 35, 34 and 20 yards, while James Davis, who combined with C.J. Spiller for 235 yards, ran for a one-yard score, and Cullen Harper threw two touchdowns passes. The Terps didn't get into the end zone until the fourth quarter on a two-yard Lance Ball run and a one-yard score from Keon Lattimore. Clemson outgained Maryland 428 yards to 314 and held on too the ball for 36:29.
Player of the game: Clemson RBs James Davis and C.J. Spiller combined for 235 yards and a touchdown on 45 carries
Stat Leaders: Clemson - Passing: Cullen Harper, 20-26, 179 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Davis, 29-129, 1 TD. Receiving: Aaron Kelly, 5-54, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 19-31, 217 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Lance Ball, 10-53, 1 TD. Receiving: Isaiah Williams, 5-47
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The season needs to turn back around in a big hurry after losing late to Virginia and getting blasted early against Clemson, and now the road trip to North Carolina becomes vital or a promising start could go to waste with Boston College and a date at Florida State to follow. Chris Turner was fine throwing the ball, but the running game failed to get on track until it was way too late. There's enough talent to beat anyone in the ACC, and now the team has to play like it.

Oct. 20
Virginia 18 ... Maryland 17
Mikell Simpson ran for a one-yard score with 16 seconds to play to cap off a 90-yard, 15-play drive to pull off the win. Simpson also cranked out a 44-yard touchdown run to keep the Cavaliers in the game, and then they got in range late in the third with a Chris Long sack for a safety. Maryland got its touchdowns in the first half on short runs from Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball, but only managed a field goal in the second half. The Terps finished with just 233 yards of total offense to Virginia's 439.
Player of the game: Virginia RB Mikell Simpson ran 16 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 13 passes for 152 yards
Stat Leaders: Virginia - Passing: Jameel Sewell, 22-35, 243 yds
Rushing: Mikell Simpson, 16-119, 2 TD. Receiving: Mikell Simpson, 13-152
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 13-19, 103 yds
Rushing: Lance Ball, 17-72, 1 TD. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 4-52
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Maryland's offense never got going against Virginia, with not nearly enough of a downfield passing game and no consistency to the ground attack, and in the second half, it proved costly. The defense could only hold on for so long, and Erin Henderson certainly did his part with 18 tackles, but with little support from the O, Virginia had the ball for ten minutes in the fourth quarter. With Clemson up next, more offensive pop is needed. 233 yards isn't going to get it done.

Oct. 6
Maryland 28 ... Georgia Tech 26
Georgia Tech's Travis Bell missed a 52-yard field goal in the final minute as Maryland held on to pull off the win. The Terps got three touchdown runs from Lance Ball, including a one-yarder late in the third, for a 28-17 lead, but Georgia Tech fought back with a 37-yard field goal and a 39-yard touchdown catch from Demaryius Thomas, but the two-point conversion was stuffed. Tech was down 21-3 before getting things going with a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Darrell Robertson, and started off the scoring in the second half with a one-yard Tashard Choice scoring run, but the Terps answered with an 11-play drive, finishing up with Ball's third score for all the points they'd need. Tech outgained Maryland 484 yards to 343.
Player of the game: Maryland RB Lance Ball ran for 86 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
Stat Leaders: Georgia Tech - Passing: Taylor Bennett, 22-34, 309 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Tashard Choice, 32-135, 1 TD. Receiving: Demaryius Thomas, 9-139, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 10-17, 255 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Lance Ball, 16-86, 3 TDs. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 4-109
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Maryland couldn't run on Georgia Tech. Didn't do a whole bunch defensively. Only forced one turnover. Couldn't pass protect. So how did the Terps pull off the big win? They got a decent day from QB Chris Turner, and got a few monster kicks from Travis Baltz, who averaged 49.6 yards per kick, highlighted by a 65-yarder, helped with the field position. Maryland isn't going to be an offensive juggernaut, but it'll find ways to win. Beating Rutgers was nice, but this was bigger; now it's in the ACC title chase again.

Sept. 29
Maryland 34 ... Rutgers 24
Maryland cranked out 239 rushing yards with Lance Ball running for scores from 19 and 14 yards out and Keon Lattimore tearing off a two-yard scoring run to stun the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers took a 17-14 lead going into halftime on a seven-yard Tiquan Underwood touchdown pass with six seconds to play, but Maryland owned the second half with two Obi Egekeze field goals and two of the rushing touchdowns. Rutgers pulled within three on a one-yard Ray Rice run, but on its next drive, lost a fumble on its own 20-yard line on a sack, and the Terps put it away on the ensuing play on the 14-yard Ball run.
Player of the game: Maryland RB Keon Lattimore rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.
Stat Leaders: Maryland - Passing: Chris Turner, 14-20, 149 yds
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 34-124, 1 TD. Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 5-61, 1 TD
Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 25-44, 310 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Ray Rice, 21-97, 1 TD. Receiving: Tiquan Underwood, 8-101, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Give the entire program credit for bouncing back from the devastating collapse to Wake Forest last week and playing its best game of the year to beat Rutgers. The rushing tandem of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball were fantastic, and in relief of Jordan Steffy, who suffered a concussion, Chris Turner was efficient, helping the Terps control the clock for 36:57. The defense struggled against the passing attack, but did a great job of bottling up Ray Rice, for the most part, and not letting him get into any sort of a rhythm. Now the win has to carry over to ACC play, desperately needing to take advantage of a three-game home stretch against Georgia Tech, Virginia and Clemson.

Sept. 22
Wake Forest 31 ... Maryland 24 OT
Josh Adams gave Wake Forest its first lead of the game on a six-yard touchdown run in overtime, and Maryland couldn't respond, with its drive stopped by sacks. The Terps appeared to be coasting, getting up 24-3 on three touchdown runs from three different players, and a 38-yard field goal from Obi Egekeze. The blowout appeared to be complete on a late third quarter drive, but Wake's Alphonso Smith picked off a Jordan Steffy pass for a 100-yard touchdown the other way to spark a run of 27 unanswered points. Riley Skinner ran for a one-yard touchdown, and connected with John Tereshinski for a six-yard score with three seconds to play to force overtime.
Player of the game: Wake Forest RB Josh Adams rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and caught four passes for 22 yards.
Stat Leaders: Maryland - Passing: Jordan Steffy, 11-20, 115 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 27-112, 1 TD. Receiving: Danny Oquendo, 3-18
Wake Forest - Passing: Riley Skinner, 22-35, 219 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing: Josh Adams, 20-91, 1 TD. Receiving: John Tereshinski, 5-55, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After collapsing against Wake Forest, the Terps have to quickly find something to build on or the suddenly bad turn to the season could become disastrous with Rutgers and Georgia Tech up next. The running game was going so well in the first three quarters, and then it hit a brick wall. Jordan Steffy, outside of a bad pick six, had a decent day, but he didn't do enough to make things happen down the field. The defensive problems at the end will gloss over a fantastic day from LB Erin Henderson, who came up with 12 tackles.

Sept. 13
West Virginia 31 ... Maryland 14
West Virginia rolled for 353 rushing yards and broke open a 7-7 game with a 24-point run on three Steve Slaton touchdown runs and a 32-yard Pat McAfee field goal. The Mountaineers started off the scoring with a 22-yard Pat White touchdown, but Maryland answered with a long drive culminating in a four-yard Keon Lattimore scoring run. The Terps added a 22-yard Danny Oquendo touchdown catch late in the fourth.
Player of the game ... West Virginia RB/WR Noel Devine ran five times for 136 yards and returned two kickoffs for 52 yards
Stat Leaders: Maryland - Passing: Jordan Steffy, 16-23, 180 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 21-80, 1 TD  Receiving: Keon Lattimore, 4-17
West Virginia - Passing: Patrick White, 8-13, 95 yds
Rushing: Steve Slaton, 26-137, 3 TD  Receiving: Darius Reynaud, 4-55
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... QB Jordan Steffy wasn't bad against West Virginia, Keon Lattimore ran well, and the defense did a nice job for a half, but the defense wasn't disciplined enough to stay in the lanes, and the passing game failed to get anything going deep. Steffy needed to be a difference maker, and he wasn't. He took way too many sacks, was picked off twice, and didn't do anything to answer once the Mountaineer offense started rolling. With Wake Forest up next, the Terps need to have a short memory, but it has to use this game to figure out how to be stronger against the run. The Demon Deacons have to move the ball on the ground to win.

Sept. 8
Maryland 26 ... Florida International 10
Keon Lattimore ran for two first quarter touchdowns and Lance Ball ran for a one-yard score in the fourth quarter as Maryland struggled to get by FIU. The Golden Panthers fought back with a 49-yard Moses Hinton touchdown catch and a 42-yard Chris Abed field goal, but only managed 114 yards outside of the touchdown play. Erin Henderson made 12 tackles for the Terps.
Player of the game ... Maryland RB Keon Lattimore ran 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Florida International - Passing: Wayne Younger, 8-22, 81 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Wayne Younger, 8-42  Receiving: Matthew Sherry, 5-68, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Jordan Steffy, 18-25, 135 yds
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 17-111, 2 TD Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 4-48
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Uh oh. Maryland's offense, especially the line, struggled way too much with Florida International in a win that was far, far closer than it should've been. Jordan Steffy and the passing game was efficient at times, but there weren't any home runs with pass protection that broke down way too often. A nasty four-game stretch against West Virginia, at Wake Forest, at Rutgers and Georgia Tech is ahead, and to survive, the offense has to be far sharper. The defense was great outside of one big play, and it's going to have to be even better.

Sept. 1
Maryland 31 ... Villanova 14
Maryland had no problems with Villanova as  Keon Lattimore score three times on runs from 12, 14 and 18 yards out, and Jordan Steffy added a ten-yard touchdown dash. The Wildcats were held to just 187 yards, and 11 on the ground, and only managed a 26-yard Matthew Sherry touchdown catch before scoring in the final minute on a 42-yard Salim Koroma interception return for a score. Obi Egekeze started off the scoring with a 42-yard field goal for the Terps.
Player of the game ... Maryland RB Keon Lattimore ran 21 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns, and caught six passes for 33 yards.
Stat Leaders: Villanova - Passing: Antwon Young, 17-28, 176 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Matt Dicken, 8-19  Receiving: Matthew Sherry, 5-68, 1 TD
Maryland - Passing: Jordan Steffy, 19-24, 174 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Keon Lattimore, 21-106, 3 TDs  Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 6-81
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Everything worked for the Terps against Villanova, with Jordan Steffy coming up with an efficient day throwing the ball, even if he failed to push the ball deep, and Keon Lattimore cranking out a good day for the running game. The defense was never really challenged, and it won't be next week against the anemic FIU attack. To get ready for West Virginia, the Terp offense has to keep working on controlling the ball and the clock, which it did a great job of against Villanova.