Embed from Getty Images
Maryland is still undefeated after running all over Bowling Green to a 45-14 win. The Terrapins are now 2-0 moving four wins away from being bowl eligible, overcoming a dreadful first half full of penalties and sloppy that could have been a byproduct of a hangover from last week’s big win over Texas. Nonetheless, Matt Canada regrouped and his team responded with a huge second half to route the Falcons of Bowling Green.
1. Maryland Rushes for 444 Yards
The Terps did not have much going passing with the heavy rain pouring over Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green and Canada adjusted his offense, as Maryland rushed for a collective 444 yards against the Falcons.
Maryland averaged 8.4 yards per carry behind a physical and overpowering offensive line and discipline quartet of running backs. Ty Johnson led the way with 124 yards and one touchdown, Tayon Fleet-Davis added 102 and two scores, Lorenzo Harrison rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown, Anthony MacFarland had 69 yards, and Javon Leake collected 42 yards, including a 36-yard untouched touchdown late.
We have 723 running backs and they are all studs@ny_king20 gets his. #FTT pic.twitter.com/vudxaxIdOd
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 9, 2018
Bowling Green couldn’t get their hands on the Terrapins defense, as the offensive line won the line of scrimmage moving the Falcons front seven consistently throughout the game. Maryland overcame a 14-10 halftime deficit, scoring five straight touchdowns, four coming on the ground all in the fourth quarter.
Maryland’s offense has a good mixture of power and speed. Through two games, that’s been clearly evident. Once the Terrapins settled down after the rocky first half, they were just too much for Bowling Green to handle and the Terps run the football all over the Falcons defense.
2. Penalties Led to Dreadful First Half
Maryland was dominant in the second half, but the first half they just could not get things going offensively leading to 14 penalties for the game. Maryland couldn’t get out of their own way. And when Quinton Morris caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Bowling Green quarterback Jarret Doege, the possibility of an upset rushed to the forefront while Maryland trailed 14-10 at halftime.
Fortunately, the Terrapins made the necessary adjustments at halftime and responded in a major way in the second half to get the win. The Terrapins can use their first half struggles as a learning tool.
3. Turning Point
The penalties subdued and the running game got going, but it was a huge play by Jahrvis Davenport. Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the 22-yard line following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, quarterback Kasim Hill found Davenport on a crossing route in the middle of the field.
Davenport then turned up the sideline, hitting a beautifully-timed spin move to evade a Bowling Green tackler as he rolled to the end zone for the go-ahead score to make it 17-14 in favor of Maryland after the extra point. Not only was it a highlight-reel of a play, it woke up the weary Terrapins and from that point the route was on.
OH THE SPIN CYCLE ā¼ļø@JahrvisD_9, you a bad man
We lead. #FTT pic.twitter.com/CidK9qtafi
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 9, 2018
Just when another devastating penalty seemed to kill the drive and force Maryland to settle for a field goal that would have only cut their deficit to one point, a perfectly called play, and an even better spin move changed the complexion of the game for the rest of the way.
4. Don’t Forget about the Defense
Unlike last week against Texas, the Maryland Terrapins defense was dominant for just about the entire game. However, the second half is where they stifled Bowling Green’s uptempo attack. Maryland covered all grounds against the run and pass, and bottled up Bowling Green’s offense, holding them to 33 yards and two first downs in the second half. Linebacker Isaiah Davis led the charge with 10 tackles and two sacks.
As the offense was charging ahead on the ground, the Maryland defense grounded Bowling Green’s. The Terps offense has scored 79 points in the first two games, but its defense has played well through both in dominating fashion for stretches.
5. Four Wins Away from Bowl Eligibility
Maryland has to take advantage of winnable games with their brutal Big Ten schedule ahead, playing the East. They have no room for margin with Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State stacked on the docket. Credit Canada and his staff getting through to keep the game in a position for them to take.
Now at 2-0 and with a decent but beatable Temple next, Maryland can put themselves in a prime spot to carry a 3-0 record into their first Big Ten game against Minnesota. Combing through their remaining 10 games, there a four more winnable games. The chase for six wins is on, and that’s the tier that Maryland is currently in with the four powers of the conference in same division.
