Don’t look now but Maryland is 4-0 on the season. The Terps are continuing their trend of hot starts. Three of the last five seasons they have managed to win their first four games of the season. After that things tend to trend in the wrong direction. The feeling seems to be a bit different this year.
With a freshman quarterback allotted with a team full of undergrads, the team is shaping into place. Freshman QB Malik Washington is taking control of this offense. With only one interception and eight touchdowns he’s ensuring his team’s success with smart decision-making and calculated risks. He has led to the team in this 4-0 start by starting off hot and never looking back. The team has yet to trail this season.
Not only has the offense been playing out of its mind, averaging 32.5 points per game, but the defense has done more than held up their end, preventing teams from scoring giving up only 10 points per game. The Terrapin defense is currently ranked 31st in the nation allowing 300 yards of total offense.
That may seem like a lot but in the world of college this is a tremendous stat considering the previous years Maryland has been near the bottom of the list in defensive rankings. All that has changed as Maryland has found ways to get to the quarterback and disrupt the opponents game. The team currently averages four sacks a game which is tied for most in the FBS.
Under the tutelage of head coach Mike Locksley, the team has had much success during his tenure. He credits his defense for their work in relieving pressure from the young guys.
“The biggest thing is our ability to close the middle of the field and get to the QB with four, five man pressures.” Locksley emphasized. “There’s no better compliment to a young secondary than a great pass rush and we’ve been able to elevate and upgrade or pass rushers with guys like Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart.”
With the praise the defense is getting it has been a breath of fresh air for a team hungry to make a name for themselves. While the team may not have made it to the CFB Playoffs but they have been to three straight bowl games under Locksley and this could be the year they crack the CFB rankings and fortify their stance as one of the best teams in the country.
Maryland hosts Washington in a Big Ten battle on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, BTN).
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