Turnovers Doom Maryland Football in Lopsided Season Opening Loss at Northwestern
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Maryland Football game has 56 new players this flavor–a roster filled with youth and inexperience on both sides of the brawl. That youth and inexperience was on total display Saturday nighttime as Maryland struggled in all three phases–turning the brawl over four times. Those key turnovers proved costly in the 43-3 loss.
"I only never felt similar after the outset drive that we had any rhythm on offense," caput omnibus Mike Locksley said.
Northwestern made Maryland pay for those mistakes, scoring 16 points off turnovers. Taulia Tagovailoa threw three interceptions, while freshman Isaiah Jacobs fumbled a kickoff.
Last season, Northwestern averaged xvi.2 points per game, nearly tripling that total in tonight'due south contest. The forty-point win marks the Wildcats largest margin of a victory in a conference game since 1970.
Northwestern totaled 336 yards in the first half displaying a balanced offensive set on under new offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, while Maryland gained simply 86. The Wildcats finished with 537 yards overall and 325 rushing yards, attacking the Terps defense consistently on the edges.
"For united states to stop the run it'south all about gap control and guys maintaining the integrity of what gap they're responsible for," Locksley said. "A couple of times they were able to go the edge on us, we got cut down and cutting out of our gaps."
The Terps criminal offense showed optimism early, as Tagovailoa led them on a 12-play, 56-yard opening bulldoze that concluded with a 33-yard field goal from Joseph Petrino. However, that momentum was brusk-lived every bit the Wildcats marched downward the field and executed a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive of their own. That first drive was finished off on a 1-yard touchdown by running back Isaiah Bowser.
The ensuing bulldoze marked the first of Tagovailoa's early on mistakes. Looking for freshman wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, Tagovailoa overthrew his target and the ball flew correct into the leaping arms of NU cornerback A.J. Hampton. Making the Terps pay for their mistake, the Wildcats executed a five-play 55-thou touchdown bulldoze. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run displaying his athleticism and ability to extend plays. That touchdown was part of an efficient outing for the veteran signal caller finishing 23-thirty for 212 yards.
Sensing the Wildcats were gaining momentum, Maryland'south offense looked for a large play to become back in the game. Targeting Dontay Demus who was double covered, Tagovailoa threw his second interception, this time picked off past JR Pace. Although Maryland's defence came up with a end after the turnover, the criminal offence struggled to notice success on the remaining first half drives. Tagovailoa's timing and rhythm seemed to be off after the turnovers, missing several open up receivers on routine throws.
"The outset interception it was a fault, we tried to shake information technology off," Tagovailoa said. "After that it was me and I accept full ownership of that."
While Maryland's offense struggled mightily, the Wildcats criminal offence continued to find success as the offset half progressed, particularly in the run game. With 5:43 remaining in the first half, running back Drake Anderson showed his explosiveness on a 37-yard touchdown extending the lead to 24-three. Anderson's flare-up headlined Northwestern's 158 rushing yards in the kickoff half, heavily outgaining Maryland's 24 yards. In the final six minutes of the first half, Northwestern converted two field goal attempts, putting the finishing touches on a dominant 30-bespeak first half.
Maintaining the offensive balance later on the break, the Wildcats marched downward the field for a 17-play, 75-thou touchdown bulldoze to open up the second half. On that drive, Ramsey and the offense executed several third and fourth downs–an area where they excelled all night. They converted l% of third down opportunities and all iii of their 4th downwardly opportunities.
Every bit the third quarter progressed, Maryland's crime fabricated strides with consecutive showtime downs. However, that progress was curt-lived as Tagovailoa threw a third interception–eerily similar to his second one, throwing into double coverage on a deep laissez passer. Off the turnover, Northwestern continued their success running the football, finished off by Evan Hull'due south 30-yard touchdown downwardly the sideline.
Maryland is focused on improving in all facets of the game moving forward every bit they host Minnesota in the dwelling house opener on Friday Oct. 30.
"Obviously we didn't play well enough in whatever of the three phases," Locksley said. "What we've got to do every bit a staff is become the tape watched and keep to try and develop this team each and every week."
Source: http://wmucsports.net/turnovers-doom-maryland-football-in-lopsided-season-opening-loss-at-northwestern/
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