Maryland
Terrapins
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.
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2007 Maryland Preview
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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 |
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.
Sept. 1 -
Villanova
Sept. 8 – at FIU
Offense New offensive coordinator James Coley has a lot of work to do
with an offense that finished dead last in America in scoring averaging fewer
than ten points per game and 116th in the nation in yards averaging 233 per
outing. Eight starters return, including the entire offensive line, and there's
good potential in the backfield with the 1-2 rushing punch of Julian Reams and
A'mod Ned, but the passing game needs work with Paul McCall likely to take over
at quarterback and no experience at receiver to rely on.
Defense: The defense did what it could with no help from the offense, and
now seven starters return with a shot to be among the league's best. The
secondary gets all four starters back, led by Lionell Singleton at corner. The
line is big and good with a pair of strong 300-pounders (Roland Clarke and Jonas
Murrell) inside. Now for the problem: the great linebacking corps loses all
three starters. The top four tacklers are gone, along with the top pass rushers.
Keyonvis Bouie, Alexander Bostic, and Antwan Barnes were stars who won't be
easily replaced.
Sept. 13 - West Virginia
Offense: Unlike most schools that run the spread offense, West
Virginia aims to open lanes for its prolific ground game, rarely putting the
ball in the air more than 20 times a game. The Mountaineers want the ball in
the hands of its two junior Heisman candidates, quarterback Patrick White and
running back Steve Slaton. Along with receiver Darius Reynaud, they form the
fastest offensive trio in America, and are threats for six with even a hint of
daylight. White is an underrated passer that rarely misses his target, but
needs more help from a receiving corps that’s suspect after Reynaud. Few
schools rebuild on the offensive line better than West Virginia, but how will
the unit react without its long-time quarterback Dan Mozes and long-time coach
Rick Trickett?
Defense: Lost in all the yards the Mountaineer offense gained in 2006 was
all the yards the defense allowed. West Virginia allowed 35 or more points
three times last fall and was torched through the air repeatedly over the second
half of the year. Worse, this once relentless defense had trouble getting to
the quarterback and looked a step slow. Rich Rodriguez is banking on a few
tweaks to the back eight and an influx of faster players as the solutions in the
team’s 3-3-5 stack formation. Led by playmaking senior safety Eric Wicks, the
secondary has a glut of really talented athletes that need to gel into a
cohesive unit.
Sept. 22 – at Wake Forest
Offense: Wake Forest will never come out and outbomb anyone, but it'll
run effectively behind a veteran offensive line, get the timely passes when
needed, and won't screw up. The attack only averaged 21.6 points per game and
was 96th in the nation in offense, but there were only 15 giveaways. QB Riley
Skinner is back after helping the offense lead the ACC in passing efficiency,
but everything will revolve around the ground game with several good runners and
four starters returning up front. The receiving corps will be an issue needing
to move 2006's leading rusher, Kenneth Moore, back to his natural receiver
position.
Defense: The D could be even better than last year when it was solid at
bending but rarely breaking finishing 12th in the nation in scoring defense.
There's not a Jon Abbate to rely on, and a few key defensive backs need to be
replaced, but there's plenty of experience everywhere and lots of speed and
athleticism in the secondary. There needs to be more pass rush from the
defensive front and there could stand to be fewer big plays allowed against the
pass, but the overall production should be solid.
Sept. 29 – at Rutgers
Offense: Although Rutgers is more than content to pound the ball between
the tackles 30 times a game with All-America running back Ray Rice, it wouldn’t
mind a little more offensive balance this year. Whether that happens depends on
the development of junior quarterback Mike Teel who struggled badly last year,
but did play his best ball at the end of the year and has a speedy group of
receivers needed to author a rebound. While question marks exist on the
interior of the offensive line, the tackle tandem of seniors Pedro Sosa and
Jeremy Zuttah is one of the best in the country.
Defense: For Greg Schiano and his Rutgers defense, it’s all about
creating pressure and turnovers with a variety of different looks to confuse
opposing offenses. Everything came together last year for a unit that had 31
takeaways and allowed just 252 yards and 14 points a game, but five starters
need to be replaced. Senior defensive tackle Eric Foster is a ticking time bomb
that exploded on quarterbacks in 2006, en route to All-America recognition.
He’s the physical and spiritual leader of a front seven that’s noticeably less
experienced than last year. Provided sophomore Devin McCourty can handle the
corner spot opposite twin brother Jason, the secondary will rock with the return
of all-league safeties, Courtney Greene and Ron Girault.
Oct. 6 - Georgia Tech
Offense: Is it possible an offense can lose the offensive coordinator, a
sure-fire NFL superstar and a four-year starting quarterback and be better?
Absolutely. Calvin Johnson's departure will sting, but the passing game should
be even better with Taylor Bennett (or any one of a slew of terrific prospects)
taking over for Reggie Ball. Patrick Nix left to take over the Miami offense,
but John Bond is a veteran who did a good job with the Northern Illinois program
for the last three years. James Johnson will be a decent number one target, and
now someone else has to quickly emerge to take the heat off and give Bennett
more options. Tashard Choice is an All-ACC caliber back leading a deep and
talented group of runners working behind a fantastic line loaded with experience
and depth.
Defense: The defense had two lousy games against Clemson and West
Virginia and was solid against everyone else. With just about everyone
returning, expect another great year holding almost everyone to under 300 yards
and around 20 points. The defensive line will be one of the team's strengths
with one of the best groups of ends in America. MLB Philip Wheeler deserves
All-America attention while the safety tandem of Jamal Lewis and Djay Jones will
be one of the ACC's best. The corners are a bit suspect and the proven
linebacker depth is a bit thin, but those aren't glaring problems.
Oct. 20 - Virginia
Offense: Until the receivers prove they can play, it'll be run, run and
run some more with mobile quarterback Jameel Sewell and decent backs Cedric
Peerman and Keith Payne working behind a much improved, veteran line. The tight
ends are excellent, but the receiving corps suffered a nasty blow when it lost
leading receiver Kevin Ogletree with a knee injury. Now it'll be up to Sewell, a
rising star but an inconsistent passer, to make everyone around him better.
Don't expect anything flashy for a while.
Defense: Somewhat quietly, the Virginia defense had a terrific year
finishing 17th in the nation in total D and 22nd in scoring D. It should be even
better with ten starters returning, including top linemen Chris Long and Jeffrey
Fitzgerald to anchor the front three. All four starting linebackers are back to
form a solid group that doesn't make a whole bunch of mistakes. This might not
be the most athletic defense, but it's aggressive and is always around the ball.
Oct. 27 - Clemson
Offense:
Clemson had the ACC's best
offense last season, but it didn't get nearly enough from the passing game.
Expect more of the same. The 1-2 rushing punch of James Davis and C.J. Spiller
is among the best in the country, and while the line loses four starters,
there's enough experience and talent up front to pave the way for a big rushing
year. The receiving corps has potential, but a quarterback has to emerge to
consistently produce. Cullen Harper has the job to start the year, but superstar
recruit Willy Korn will likely take over at the first opportunity. No matter
who's under center, and despite all the bells, whistles and formations of the
Rob Spence offense, it'll be all about the running game.
Defense: As long as the corners are fine, this will be one of the
nation's best defenses. The line, even without Gaines Adams, will be amazing,
thanks to the emergence of Ricky Sapp and a great rotation of tackles. Assuming
Tramaine Billie (broken ankle) and Antonio Clay (family tragedy) are back, the
linebacking corps will fly around and make plays all over the filed. The safety
situation is one of the ACC's best with Chris Clemons, Michael Hamlin (broken
foot and all) and DeAndre McDaniel all potential all-stars, and the corners
should be decent, at worst.
Nov. 3 – at North Carolina
Offense: The offense only cranked out 293 yards and 18 points per game
with fits of wild inconsistency. Expect a bit more of the same with a young team
still trying to figure out who the starters are going to be, but the overall
production should be better. Step one is to determine who the quarterback will
be to handle the passing game that'll run three and four wide sets. T.J. Yates
was the star of spring ball, but he'll have to hold off star freshman Mike
Paulus. There are plenty of good, inexperienced running backs to work with, and
Hakeem Nicks is a potential star number one receiver. However, there aren't any
certainties in the depth chart quite yet. The line will be serviceable, but
nothing special.
Defense: It might take a year to turn things around after a disastrous 2006,
but the young talent is there to get really, really excited. The defensive line
has a slew of great prospects to work with, while the back seven has athleticism
and quickness by design with a smallish linebacking corps. The return of
Trimaine Goddard at safety will be a big help for the secondary, while the
hopeful emergence of more pass rushing help for end Hilee Taylor should help the
coaching staff implement it's attacking, aggressive style.
Nov. 10 - Boston College
Offense: It's Matt Ryan's offense and everyone is just playing in it. The
new coaching staff will install a new zone blocking scheme, putting a premium on
quick, flashy runners, but the line might not be suited for the system. The
receiving corps is decent, but nothing special, and the tight ends are
promising. It all comes down to Ryan, who'll have more control in the attack,
able to change things up a bit on the fly, and he should be tremendous now that
he's healthy. He was the best quarterback in the ACC last year, and that was
with a broken foot.
Defense: Is it time to start giving the
BC defense a little love? It allowed 17 points per game in 2004, 15.92 in 2005,
and 15.69 last year. With defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani back, it should
be even better with nine starters returning including the entire front seven if
linebacker Brian Toal is back from a shoulder problem. The monster tackles, B.J.
Raji and Ron Brace, will gum up everything inside, while the deep linebacking
corps will quietly be among the ACC's best. DeJuan Tribble is one of the
league's best shutdown corners, and Jamie Silva is a top free safety. The
problem? There isn't a reliable second corner, and strong safety is a question
mark.
Nov. 17 – at Florida State
Offense: After a dreadful two seasons, the offense is under new
leadership with new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher coming in to breathe life
into the nation's 70th ranked attack. Step one is to find some semblance of a
running game, and that starts with talented junior Antone Smith getting more
carries. The offensive line, problem one over the last few years, gets a big
upgrade with the addition of line coach Rick Trickett from West Virginia. He's
immediately pushed everyone to get into better shape and to get a lot tougher.
The passing game won't be forgotten about, with Fisher wanting to bomb away down
the field to Greg Carr and DeCody Fagg. Now a steady quarterback has to emerge
between Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee.
Defense:
The defense came up with a
better year than it got credit for, but it gave up too many points. Now the
potential is there for this to be a Florida State defense again with
tremendous speed and talent in the secondary and a good enough front seven to
come up with a big year. There are question marks. Everette Brown is a
good-looking pass rushing end, but he needs help from the other side. The
linebacking corps will be special as long as Derek Nicholson and Marcus Ball can
quickly return from torn ACLs, otherwise it'll be an undersized group with no
depth. As always, there's a slew of NFL talent to work around, highlighted by
tackle Andre Fluellen and safety Myron Rolle.
Nov. 24 – at NC State
Offense: This won't be a bombs away attack under Dana Bible, but
it could be with a big, fast, experienced receiving corps that should be able to
spread the field. The trio of running backs, Toney Baker, Andre Brown and
Jamelle Eugene, should be a major plus, but the line has to be far better and
needs to replace the starting tackles. It'll be a three-man race for the
starting quarterback job between Daniel Evans, Nebraska transfer Harrison Beck,
and Justin Burke, with the one of them needing to be able to move the offense
consistently, something that wasn't done this spring. This will be a running
offense that will eventually grow into a 50/50 balance.
Defense: This will be a solid defense, but it won't be spectacular. It
could be fantastic in 2008 when all the promising young prospects are ready to
shine, but for now, this will be a good, sound D that should be far more
consistent than last year. Demario Pressley and Martrel Brown lead a strong line
that should be the strength, while three senior linebackers will keep the
mistakes to a minimum. The secondary has to come up with more big plays after
helping the Pack pick off just seven passes.
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