Grading Maryland football’s position groups after its win over Villanova

The Terps dominated on offense and held strong on defense.

Maryland football dominated Villanova, 38-20, on Saturday at SECU Stadium. The discrepancy between the two teams’ play was wider than the final score indicates.

The Terps bullied Villanova on both sides of the ball throughout the game — most of the Wildcats’ production came in garbage time. They totaled just 124 yards in the game’s first three quarters.

Here’s how each position group did in the win.

Quarterback

Billy Edwards Jr. continued his excellent 2024 campaign with arguably his best game yet. He finished 28 for 32 — setting a new program record in single-game completion percentage with 87.5% — for 328 yards and two touchdowns. The only blemish on his record was an interception on a deflection off Octavian Smith Jr. Other than that, he commanded the offense valiantly.

MJ Morris played sparingly, being utilized as a rushing threat. He didn’t throw a pass, but ran three times for 20 yards, including a 14-yard score. Cam Edge came in late to relieve Edwards and completed one of his two attempts for 10 yards.

Grade: A

Running back

Roman Hemby had his best game of the season thus far. He played with a new level of burst, forcing a team-high five missed tackles on his way to a 14-carry, 67-yard game with a touchdown.

Colby McDonald tallied 42 yards on just five carries, but fumbled deep inside Villanova territory near the end of the first half. He had an overall strong game, but the fumble hurts the group’s grade. Nolan Ray was efficient in relief duty, carrying the ball five times for 25 yards.

Grade: B

Wide receiver

Tai Felton continued his reign of terror over opposing defenses Saturday. He racked up eight catches in the first quarter alone, en route to a 14-catch, 157-yard, one-touchdown afternoon. No catch was more impressive than his 61-yard catch-and-run on a free play late in the game.

Kaden Prather had a strong afternoon in his own right, hauling in six balls for 57 yards and a score. The only other receivers with catches were Octavian Smith Jr. and Shaleak Knotts, who each had one reception.

Grade: A-

Tight end

Both primary tight ends made an impact in the passing game against Villanova.

Preston Howard hauled in all three of his targets, finishing with 38 receiving yards. Dylan Wade nearly matched that figure on his only catch of the afternoon, breaking a tackle on a crossing route and picking up 37 yards.

Leron Husbands and Leon Haughton Jr. each played four snaps.

Grade: B

Offensive line

Playing an FCS team, Maryland had a huge size advantage up front, and it took advantage.

Running backs had big holes to run through, leading to a team average of 5.3 yards per carry. Edwards was sacked just once and was not hit otherwise.

Starting left tackle Andre Roye Jr. missed the game with an injury he suffered the previous week, but redshirt senior Marcus Dumervil played well in his absence, leading the line with an 81.6 Pro Football Focus grade. Freshman Terez Davis also got a lot of run once the game was out of hand.

Grade: B+

Defensive line

Villanova came into Saturday averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground. Those totals came against FCS opponents, but the Wildcats were still strong in the run game.

But Maryland held them to just 75 rushing yards on just 2.3 yards per carry. Villanova couldn’t get anything going up front, and that was largely due to a strong performance from the defensive line.

Maryland also rushed the passer well, getting home for three sacks and 13 total pressures.

Grade: B+

Linebacker

Redshirt freshman Michael Harris had a breakout performance against Villanova. He played a season-high 23 snaps and finished second on the team with five tackles (three solo), including multiple occasions where he flew across the field to bring down a ball-carrier. Harris also recorded a sack.

Ruben Hyppolite II led the team with six tackles (four solo) and one tackle for loss. Caleb Wheatland and Daniel Wingate also had solid afternoons, recording two tackles each.

Grade: B

Secondary

Maryland’s secondary continued to be the weak link of its team. Villanova finished with just 156 passing yards, but that figure could have been higher if not for a few missed deep balls. One came in the fourth quarter, when Jaylan Sanchez appeared to score a 26-yard touchdown after beating Glen Miller on a slot fade. Replay showed the ball hit the ground.

Against an FCS opponent, Saturday’s performance will suffice. It won’t against Big Ten competition.

Freshmen Kevyn Humes, Braydon Lee and Judah Jenkins all got extended run late in the game.

Grade: C+

Special teams

This unit’s biggest highlight came in the first quarter, when Braeden Wisloski weaved through defenders for a 27-yard punt return. It was the team’s only return of the game.

Kicker Jack Howes was five for five on PAT’s and drilled a 46-yard field goal, his only attempt of the afternoon. Punter Bryce McFerson’s only action was a 39-yard punt in the fourth quarter.

Grade: B

Coaching

The offensive game plan was simple. Run the ball well and throw it to Tai Felton a lot. Both of those pillars held firm against Villanova. Using Morris as a rusher was a nice wrinkle that the Terps could utilize later down the line in conference play.

But Maryland struggled with penalties yet again, racking up eight for a combined 89 yards.

Grade: B