Maryland quarterbacks haven’t been sacked in three games this season.
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Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills’ performance last week – 15-of-30 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception – wasn’t awful , but it was mediocre enough for coach Randy Edsall to pull Hills for Caleb Rowe, who will make his first start since October . 26, 2013 against USF. Ross only had eight carries for 10 yards on the afternoon. But the redshirt junior settled down with the help of newly minted starting wideouts D.J. Moore and Taivon Jacobs. USF led 17-14 in the fourth quarter before the Terps scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. But much of what had already happened previously in the turnover filled game, Rowe gave the ball right back with a lapse in judgement that resulted in his third interception. The ball rolled to a stop in the backfield before senior running back Brandon Ross scooped it up and barreled into the end zone for a freaky touchdown to give Maryland a 21-10 lead at halftime.
Sean Davis probably had the worst game of his career against Bowling Green September 12, but he followed it with one of his best.
South Florida still keeps those philosophies with a spread look and a much faster pace this season. The Terps would score on the ensuing drive. He was replaced for a series in the fourth quarter by Steve Bench, who was 0 for 3 with a pick. Maryland was completely dominated in the second half last week by Bowling Green, who defeated the Terps 48-27 in College Park.
USF quarterback Quinton Flowers went 10-for-19 for 60 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.
The Maryland Terrapins and South Florida Bulls hope to rebound from losses in Week 3. Roman Braglio had two sacks, and Yannick Ngakoue had 1.5.
Maryland struggled, but the Terps showed enough flashes to cruise by South Florida late. That interception got the ball to the Maryland red zone and Rowe found Edwards again for their second connection of the game. Taivon Jacobs had two catches for 82 yards and a touchdown and Moore chipped in three catches for 47 yards. Adams did get behind Davis and A.J. Hendy once during the first half, but he dropped what would have been a touchdown. Three plays later, the Terrapins closed out scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass to give Maryland the final 35-17 score.
“I told them this last night: I said, ‘Guys, all I need you to do is play every play like it’s the last play you’re ever going to play”.
Davis made the move from safety to corner over the offseason, and acknowledged that he’s the “new kid on the block” in that role. I know I’m going to get picked on – I just don’t want to be the weak link of the defense. He also threw two touchdowns, including a 70-yard beauty to Jacobs that traveled 29 yards in the air and confounded the USF secondary. I’m not expected to throw interceptions. “In all, we just didn’t play winning football”. “And I think Caleb, the offense and the whole, did a great job at that”. He can make those types of tight throws. Edsall touched on the delicate balance Rowe must strike in the coming weeks: balancing his aggressive mentality with calculated decision-making.
The latter portion of the game brought more Jekkyl-and-Hyde business from Maryland’s quarterback.
The Terrapins won in spite of Rowe’s difficulty holding the ball and while being penalized 12 times for 120 yards. He gave Maryland a new offensive identity with its downfield passing and deception off play-action for big gains and touchdowns.
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CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots said the Ravens need their younger defensive players to step up and lead the team to a win against the Raiders.
