The Terps’ mistakes and miscues piled up over the course of the game.
Coming off its second bye week of the season, Maryland football went head-to-head against No. 1 Oregon.
Despite the Terps taking an early 3-0 lead, the Ducks quickly stormed back and did not relinquish their lead after scoring a touchdown. Ultimately, Maryland was clearly outmatched and could not keep with the pace of the nation’s top program.
Here’s how Maryland’s position groups fared against Oregon.
Quarterbacks
By no means did Billy Edwards Jr. have a great game. In fact, it was probably one of the worst games he’s played in a Maryland uniform. He completed just 50% of his passes, and his two interceptions in the final stages of the game when the Terps were gunning to make a comeback proved fatal.
But Edwards was pressured on what felt like every passing down, and when the Terps were down by two scores or more, it was obvious that he was going to pass. His 206 yards through the air actually eclipsed Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s 183. He also forged a substantial connection with both Tai Felton and Octavian Smith Jr.
Grade: C+
Running backs
It was clear head coach Michael Locksley wanted to establish the run early and often, looking for a balanced attack and the advantage in time of possession.
Roman Hemby started the opening drive with four rushes for 17 yards. The Terps ended that drive with three points, and running lanes seemed present, but that production did not continue.
As Oregon increased its lead, Locksley and company slowly abandoned the run game. The Terps had 23 and 14 rushing yards in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Hemby also ended with just 3.1 yards per carry, while Nolan Ray’s mark was even worse at 2.3. As a team, the Ducks outgained the Terps on the ground, 180-83.
Grade: C-
Wide receivers
While the final score may not have reflected a substantial offensive output, the wide receivers held their own against a staunch Ducks defense.
Felton was once again Edwards’ primary target, and he was the beneficiary of seven receptions for 72 yards, with a long of 34 yards. On Saturday, he was especially adept at finding space over the middle of the field and drew multiple flags after breaking free from various defensive backs’ coverage.
Smith also continues to impress as the team’s third wide receiver option. He was more productive than Kaden Prather Saturday, and reeled in the team’s only receiving touchdown on a nicely executed out-route to the left side of the end zone.
Grade: B+
Tight ends
Maryland’s tight end unit has been largely invisible for the majority of the season, and more of the same continued Saturday.
Dylan Wade had just one reception for 11 yards, while Preston Howard recorded two catches for 22 yards. Neither were targeted often, and when Wade secured a crucial first down conversion as the Terps were driving, an offensive flag nullified the gain.
Grade: D
Offensive line
Edwards was sacked just twice on Saturday, but it felt like it could’ve been a lot more.
Edwards had pressure in his face constantly and was forced to escape the pocket on numerous occasions to extend plays or take off on his own. The unending rush proved costly, too, as a first-quarter strip sack on Edwards was returned the opposite way for an Oregon touchdown, extending the Ducks’ early lead from four to 11.
The Terps also dealt with a number of miscues and were hit with four false starts and a holding.
Grade: D-
Defensive line
Part of the reason why Oregon wasn’t particularly proficient in the passing game was because it didn’t need to be. The Ducks did more than enough on the ground to secure the win. In a contest where Maryland needed to have the time of possession advantage, it was Oregon that maintained control.
Maryland’s defensive line failed to stymie Oregon’s run game, allowing the Ducks to break off six rushes that went for 10 or more yards. No player was truly applied pressure on Gabriel all night and no sacks were recorded.
Grade: D
Linebackers
Maryland’s linebackers, while also absorbing some of the blame for Oregon’s potent rushing attack, had some bright moments on the evening.
Sophomore DJ Samuels stood out immensely, making a few key stops on consequential third downs. He finished the night with three tackles, two of which were for a loss. Daniel Wingate and Ruben Hyppolite II also had solid showings, with Wingate recording the only quarterback hit of the game to go along with six tackles, and Hyppolite notching five tackles.
Grade: B-
Defensive backs
Given the inexperience and troubles the Terps have dealt with in their secondary over the course of the season, it was a welcome sight to see Maryland hold Gabriel to a season-low in passing yards — and against the best offense it will face all season long.
Even without Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson playing, Oregon still had plenty of weapons, but Maryland’s defensive backs swarmed to the ball. Jalen Huskey and Dante Trader Jr. impressed especially, with the former racking up 10 tackles (0.5 for loss) and the latter securing nine tackles and a pass breakup.
The secondary would have looked even better on paper if not for a 17-yard garbage time touchdown for wide receiver Evan Stewart.
Grade: A
Special teams
The Terps’ special teams were toyed with Saturday. While it almost recovered a muffed punt deep in Oregon’s territory, there was nothing too positive at all about the performance.
Two embarrassing plays stood out in particular, and both came on the same drive. First, the Ducks ran a fake punt for defensive end Jordan Burch, who picked up 36 yards and a first down to keep the drive going. Then, after Oregon scored a touchdown on that same drive, it dialed up a direct snap to offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. on a fake extra point and he rushed it in for two points.
Grade: D
Coaching
There was nothing particularly spectacular, nor was there anything especially horrendous about the Terps’ play calling and coaching Saturday night. The game plan was simple: chew clock and try to stave off Gabriel’s passing game.
While Gabriel was mitigated, at least in comparison to his regular numbers, the Ducks still scored relatively at will and when they needed to. But Locksley and defensive coordinator Brian Williams had a young and largely inexperienced group at multiple spots on the defense. Thirty-nine points was certainly not the worst Maryland could have given up, especially after allowing 48 to Minnesota.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Terps didn’t run too many quick passing plays for Edwards, which may have contributed to his high pressure rate. That, coupled with a few unsuccessful fourth-down play schemes, only put the offense in position to score 18 points.
Grade: C