By Ethan Cadeaux
This year in College Park was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Terrapin football. The Terps won just three games a year ago, and new head coach D.J. Durkin did not have a full recruiting class come in for this year.
But when the Terps opened the season with four straight wins, optimism for this team grew too much. They are still several years away from being a contender in the Big Ten, and Michigan reminded them of that on Saturday.
The Wolverines dominated the Terps in all phases of the game, defeating Maryland 59-3 in Durkin’s return to Ann Arbor.
Durkin, previously they defensive coordinator at Michigan, saw several players he recruited dominate his new team.
Michigan proved everyone why they are just as good as any team in the country, as they moved to 9-0 on the year.
The Wolverines mustered a whopping 660 total yards against the helpless Terps defense, and quarterback Wilton Speight threw for a career-high 362 yards.
On the Terrapins side, starting quarterback Perry Hills injured himself early in the game and would not return. After the loss of their senior, the Maryland offense was ineffective the rest of the game.
The Wolverines defense proved it was one of the best in the country, holding Maryland to just 78 rushing yards on 38 carries.
Three Takeaways
- The Terps are still far away from being contenders in the Big Ten.
While this year has been a step in the right direction for Terrapin football, Saturday’s defeat should remind everyone that Maryland still has a long way to come.
Coach Durkin saw his former recruits dominate his new school on Saturday. Hopefully he can haul in some of these big recruits for the Terps in the future.
- Without Perry Hills, the Maryland offense is bad.
When Hills’ is in the game, the Terps offense has been able to move the ball. When he went down against Penn State, freshman Tyrrell Pigrome was unable to muster much on offense. Against Minnesota, it was more of the same.
Senior Caleb Rowe took over for Hills on Saturday against Michigan. The
former starter threw for 203 yards, but also had two interceptions, something that has been an issue his entire career at Maryland.While Hills may not be a great quarterback, he is the best one for the Terps, and it’s not close.
- Michigan is just THAT good.
I have not seen any coach turn around a program the way Jim Harbaugh has in such a short time.
The Wolverines have been as dominant as any team in the country, and passed every challenge they have faced.
This team should be in the College Football Playoff come January.
What’s next?
The Terps host Ohio State next Saturday at Maryland Stadium. They still remain one win away from bowl eligibility with three games to play.
